growingupwithgirls: Khao Yai. Ai Yai Yai.

Day 1 at Khao Yai.

I don't know anyone who has been to Khao Yai. And all me and young man know about Khao Yai are what we see online.

We started getting curious about the place after seeing websites featuring interesting theme resorts and attractions. From there, we explored more and finally settled on booking a 4-night stay at a quaint home stay called Kanghanrak Theme House. We chose this because of the excellent reviews it received online, as well as the cute pictures of its wind mill-themed compound.

At Changi Airport: Snorlax reminding us to snore and relax during our holiday.

On day one, Top, who is the son-in-law of the owners, Mr and Mrs Pod received us at the airport. (Top has a 2-yr-old son named Posh. I am not making their names up. They indeed have such funky names.)

That's Top.

Top is a warm and happy person. He clearly loves kids and was generous in supplying our girls with snacks. He's a little on the chubby side and looks a little like a giant toddler. I mean it in a good way. One can sense he's good natured, free spirited and adorable - his looks are befitting of his personality.

Oh yes. Back to Khao Yai.

Kanghanrak is rather.. Erm... More on the raw and homely sort of place. No luxurious sort of hotel feel. But it's charming in its own way. Quaint and colourful. Treasure and Queenie loved the simple swing in the compound.

The swing at Kanghanrak was the main attraction for the kids. I like the little touches Mrs Pod put in, like the cute sheep and adorable figurines.

I lived in a windmill, sort of. I ate breakfast while sitting on strawberries. Now, how many people can say that!

A little corner in our room at Kanghanrak. It was full of bright and happy colours.

We travelled over 2 hours from the airport. We went for dinner at this amazing castle-themed restaurant called Midwinter Green. In the evening, the area is lit up by warm glowing candles. There is ample space within and outside the restaurant, giving the place a very grand and elegant atmosphere. Food was good for the price. But it was the castle look and feel that took our breath away.

After that we wanted to go to the night market, but Mrs Pod claimed the night market was closed. Night market, closed at 7 pm? NIGHT market. Very strange. But we did not want to question our host's sense of logic from day one. However, this funny episode left us a mild feeling of mistrust towards her.

Instead, we went to Mrs Pod's second home stay up in the mountains. She drove us up, but when we got into the car to come back down, the car alarm wouldn't go off. So there we were. The conclusion of day one, as we spiralled down a mountain in a sounding car to the curious eyes of mountain dwellers who only wish for a quiet life.

Eating outdoors, but not an ounce of sweat! The weather at Khao Yai is gorgeous. So cool and breezy. Looking at the environment and weather, it totally did not feel like Thailand... More like Europe.