Explore Khao Yai [ 考艾 ] - Day 3 PB Valley >> Farm Chok Chai >> Farm Mor Por

This is the final installment for our 4D3N Khao Yai Trip, during December 2016 and one backlog off the list after 7 months, it's like finally !! I received quite a lot of pms and emails asking about our Khao Yai trip and here you are, finally some pictures and information you can read about instead of just the name of the place. I felt so bad !

As for those of you who have engaged khemika's service, I hope your trip with her was a nice experience. =)

Third day was basically visiting:
- PB Valley
- Farm Chok Chai
- Farm Mor Por

I am not into wine but I planned in this just to show Xav the fermentation process of making wine for his general knowledge. As for wine lovers, be sure to pay a visit to PB Valley, the first winery in Khao Yai.

Located in a mountainous district, I love the unlimited supply of fresh air at the fields!

Loving the fresh air and greenary.

Guided tours were made available for guests, do make an advanced booking if you are keen to tour. But we bought tickets on the spot and booked the tour from there.

Pretty good idea to recycle the bottles and make them into a Christmas Tree.

Toured and got to learn about what kind of equipment were used for fermentation.

Steel tanks to hold the fermented wine

The cellar

Vineyards

Photo Credit: Pla

At the end of the tour, we exchanged for a glass of wine or juice with our ticket stubs. Even Vera got to enjoy a glass. Imagine her joy when she was finally allowed to take a glass by herself.

Address: 102/2 Moo5, Mitraparp Road Payayen Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30320, Thailand

Operating Hours: 

Sun -Thurs: 9am -8pm,  

Fri & Sat: 9am - 10pm

Tour charges: From 200 Baht / USD $5.70

Next in line was a visit to Farm Chok Chai. There is a Chok Chai Zoo as well right beside the farm but we decided to gave it a miss as we were planning for a farm visit later part of the day where we got to see animals again.

We were a little late in joining the talk on how they breed and take care of their SuperCow. If I did not remember wrongly, 3 visitors among the group could volunteer to learn how to milk. Sorry kids, you will be disappointed as this is only for adults for safety reasons.

And so, I had my virgin attempt in milking !

We were brought to another area, where we could have a full glance of how the Farm Chok Chai packed their dairy products and got to savour a cup of ice-cream each.

There was also a wagon- tractor which we hoped on for a tour around the vicinity of the farm for some picture taking.

Further into the farm, there was a Cowboy Town where we get to watch Cowboy Show and Trick Roping action !! Heee Ha !!

Sorry no photos or videos as I just want to enjoy the show with the family. Someone was so delighted to have a go at the ATV all by himself ! Initially, we did have doubts if he was able to find his way out among the tall grasses. Turned out that this young man here was enjoying himself to the max, the thrill of finally able to ride on his own and went on three rounds around the field !

Address: 169 Moo 2 Friendship Highway, Nongnamdang, Pakchong, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130 Thailand

Contact: 044 328 485 / 04432 484 (Fax)

Email : info@farmchokchai.com

Opening hours:

Farm Tour Schedule: - Tuesday to Friday : 10 am and 2 pm (fixed timing) Between 9am - 11.40am and 1pm - 3.40 pm, tours can be arranged on a every 20mins basis.

There will be no tours available on Monday except if it is a public holiday. - Saturday, Sunday and public holidays : 9 am - 11:40 am and 1 pm - 3:40 pm, every 20 minutes.

Admission Ticket: 300 THB  (per adult ) | 150 THB (Per Child) * Note that riding activities like ATV and Pony riding are not included) 

Farm Mor Por was the last on our to-go list! I was a tad disappointed on the 2nd day as I had badly wanted to bring the kids there but we could not locate it. What a surprise on the third day! I would strongly recommend this place if you would want the kids to have an awesome experience with the farm animals.

You can purchase a basket of carrots to feed the horses, rabbits and ponies. They were really friendly and welcoming. While I was trying to take a picture with Vera, these horsies just have to join in the fun. I was "tickled" by the horses licking me on my arm !

Photo credit  Pla

Our fearless missy, was happily feeding carrots to the horses. I believed this experience was unforgettable for her. Few days ago, she recollected the memories of her feeding the horse. I bet she had a ball with them ! One basket was not enough for both.

The chicken coop ! If you would not mind that there were chicken droppings everywhere, do not mind a brood of chicken surrounding you. Go ahead with this. Before entering, pay a minimal fee at the counter and they will hand you a basket. The kids had fun being farmers for a short moment in collecting eggs and putting them into the basket. Thereafter, yYou can bring back 4 eggs, nicely wrapped in n egg carton. On  the other hand, if your child does have sensitive airways, I would advise this is a no go for them. 

Missy was collecting and putting back the eggs, not wanting any.

Xav was happy to collect a full basket.

Last activity before we left, we went for horse riding around the vicinity of the farm. The staff was with us all the way. Older kids like Xav will be assigned to a pony while a accompanying parent like myself with Vera was assigned to an adult horse.

I was happy that we managed to visit this place, the experience for the kids, you bet that they will not forget. Even till date, Vera could relate some activities she had went through for this trip after 7 months.

No regrets to plan for this trip, I hope to be back again to visit the National Park when Vera is older.

In summary of Khao Yai 4D3N:

Khao Yai Day 1 - Sunflower field (Saraburi District) | Primo Piazza (Driver's contact here) 

Khao Yai Day 2 - Jim Thompsom Farm + A Cup of Love 

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !

Disclaimer: This holiday is a NON SPONSORED post. All expenses are paid through our very own pocket. Just purely documenting down these lovely memories and to be shared to all who are looking into kids friendly places in Thailand!

APS 11th Junior Squad Meet 2017 - ATTITUDE that matters

Currently, Xav is in Endurance - Station 8 in APS Swim School. We have been there like 3 years? Alot of friends asked me why I would not want to look for a nearer school but chose to travel all the way down town. We decided on this school because of the small number ratio of coach and students. It's 1:4 ratio attracted us. In terms of safety and the amount of attention the coach can give. I will still prefer this small, comfortable group.

Since last year, he was selected to undergo extra trainings to train up his stamina for time trial. If he could pass the time trial, he gets to join the competitive team. The journey was not easy, trainings are about clocking mileage, building up of stamina, fine tuning of strokes and endurance. By the end of the trainings, he would be so exhausted that he could just fall asleep when we were taking a train back home, all the way from ACJC back to Sengkang.

Unfortunately, after three months, he did not managed to pass the time trial. But I was glad that the school has offered prep classes to continue to train the kids. I did not want Xav to be demoralised and gave up just because he could not pass the time trial. He continued to swim intensively for 4 times a week, including his formal session on Sundays. These three months, we were actually rushing from school back to home, have a quick lunch and headed to the pool straight and thereafter rush back home again to do homework and do dinner. I barely have any time for him to do my revision. Oh well, we made the choice didn't we ? I told him, it may be tiring but he has to learn to manage it.

His first meet was in 2013! 14th March 2017:  Xav took part in APSC 11th Junior Squad Meet 2017.

We signed him up for some events to allow him to gain some exposure and confidence. We knew that he still has a long way to go to reach the stage where he should be. But like we told him, it's not about winning or losing but it's the ATTITUDE that matters. As long as he has go all out and put in all of his best effort, it's good enough. I want him to build up his resilience and endurance, be it in the trainings or in his academic journey.

He did not manage to emerge in the top 3. But from his usual timing of 1:30s, after months trainings, today, he did well ! He clocked and gave himself his new record timing:



Boys 9-10 50 LC Meter Breaststroke: 1:08.36 (Placement 5th out of 16)



Boys 9-10 50 LC Meter Freestyle: 1:04.04 (Placement 8th out of 13)

I have to tell him that it's very encouraging to see the big improvement in his timing, especially when he is weaker in free style but his timing was better than breast-stroke! A big pat on his back for biting the bullet and not giving up despite having to juggle his trainings between his school work, classes and homework. Well done, Xav !! Keep this spirit going! Mummy is sure that you will break this record of yours soon !

Congratulations to those who have made it to the top 3 and to the swimmers who were sporting enough to complete the race, a big pat on all your backs as well for the great sportsmanship and  #nevergiveup spirit. You heard us cheering and applauding for all of you? Carry on swimming and do not give up! One day, you will outdo yourself and make it there !

And APSC Swim School, I must say I love the way you encourage all your swimmers and recognise their effort! We look forward to the next meet !

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !

Pulau Ketam - 吉胆岛

Looking for a short staycation or a relaxing day trip away from the urbans? I have an opportunity to stay there for a 3D2N when we went for filming for the upcoming Channel 8 - Fresh Farmers 2. Malaysians may probably know of this Island but I am totally clueless about it not until I set foot on the island.

About a 5 -6 hours drive from singapore, we took a ferry from Port Klang to Pulau Ketam (Crab Island).

Breath-taking views and I would use the word "Tranquil"to describe the place. Only sound of splashing waves and passing ships were heard. The pace of life on Ketam is slow and relaxing, people in the village were ever so friendly.

Try spotting the tiny crabs if you happen to be there.

Crabs spotting

They do not drive on the island. The mode of transport is only bicycles, either that, the people there mainly travel around by foot.

 If you love to cycle, there are bicycles for rental on the island. We paid RM 5 for a day.

Houses were made of wooden planks and on stilts.

For the rainbow lovers

It gave a really rustic feel, a great place to take pictures. Photography lovers, take note !

Beneath the houses, spot the mudskippers !

We saw bridges everywhere and they were used to connect to different areas.

Steep slopes too !

Steep slopes

Still waters

Such fun to have new friends around ! By the second day, they blended in and were having so much fun with each other, playing games, giving each other pushes on the swings and lazing around on the hammocks.

Exploring how to use a digital camera

I bet he wished that life can be like this everyday !

We continued to explore around the island, spotted an old school barber, with a bright, vibrant blue door that caught my attention.

Old school barber still exists !

A mouse trap with the tiny mouse trapped in it while the cat was keeping guard outside.

Tom and Jerry

Something which the city boys had not seen before, a mouse trap and a rat.

As I whizzed past the unsuspecting villagers' houses, they were all very friendly giving me a smile as I rode by.

Usually by the evening, fishermen will call it a day.

A fishing boat

Unload their catch and start weighing and sending to the market and eateries for sale.

Catch of the day

Stay tuned with me for the activites you can do on Pulau Ketam. At the moment, I can only reveal this much until the launch of Fresh Farmers 2.

Go for a seafood feast if you are in Klang or should you have a sudden decision to just drive into our neighbouring country during long weekends.

Thank you for reading and if you would like to stay tune for future updates, do follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram !