Where to Go: Hua Hin

Ayush Madan
8月16日
讀畢需時 4 分鐘

已更新：9月5日

Maybe it’s the hallmark of a developing brain. But lately, I can’t help revisiting the places I enjoy most in the world. This is the story of my first road trip, and how I fell in love with the beach, driving, and drum and bass music.

As someone who’s been to beaches far and wide from the Gold Coast of Australia to Malibu, California, it’s hard to put my finger on exactly why a quaint Thai beach town with a population just over 120,000 continues to win me over. From the nightlife and music scene; the hearty and abundant food options; the shallow beaches and pristine air, Hua Hin has officially become one of my favorite cities in the world.

The drive from Bangkok takes roughly three hours — barring any acts of God on the Rama II road — a straightforward route through Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi, then finally Prachuap Khiri Khan where Hua Hin sits. For me, driving long distances can feel dreamlike. You end up in a certain state of mind between flow state and dissociation. We were going 120 km/h down the road, Amy blasting drum and bass at the same BPM on the aux: Nia Archives, SHY FX, OBIDAN. We watched the sky go through every color, from overcast grey, to light blue, then slowly darkening to lava-orange, leaving behind little clouds of pink.

As much as I would have liked to rest up after the drive, it was after all, a Friday night. And so, an hour after we arrived, we were ready for finger guns and whiskey. Walking down Soi Bintabaht, we stopped to have a beer and play a round of pool. After meeting up with Mick and Robert, I followed the gang to what felt like a club in the back of a club. Pink neon bathing the room, fast-paced Latin inspired beats, Barbon was exactly the kind of non-pop club I yearned for and would happily end up at again.

The following morning, mildly hungover, we went to Morning Bread Cafe & Restaurant for their sausage and bacon omelet with sourdough toast and coffee. Not fancy, but absolutely delicious. The place has a comforting aura with an all white design, lots of plants, and the smell of fresh bread and coffee wafting through the room. Couple this atmosphere with the reasonable price, this is a cozy start to your morning you don’t want to miss.

By midday, we were at Jintana Herb Sauna by the Beach in Khao Takiab. Built by a Finnish gentleman, this is a spa with a wet sauna, steam room, full bar, massage area all located right along the beach. Along the coast there are several shaded deck chairs laid out with a full volleyball court as well. While we were there, in another moment that proved there are no coincidences, one of the guys playing volleyball set down his JBL Partybox on a chair right next to ours and started blasting General Levy. Immediately, the vibe was set.

Inside the spa, lush tropical plants surround the area, and woven hanging lamps add a warm, rustic touch. You will find a large Scandinavian-hot wet sauna with real wooden interiors and coals that instantly vaporize water into steam. Under a thatched hut beside the sauna, immerse yourself in the steam room, which offers a consistent herbal mist with smells of lemongrass, clearing sinuses and pores alike. But perhaps the flagship feature at Jintana is their ice bath. This is not your average inflatable kiddie pool with some 7-11 ice. Expect a tiled plunge pool constantly refueled with large blocks of ice, with a metal ladder for an easy descent into the icy depths below. After alternating between hot and cold, we tucked in for an aromatherapy massage.

The sound of the waves was the only thing I could hear,

and for a few hours, time felt suspended.

Dinner was at Baribot-Khaotakiab, perched along an upward path with an unobstructed view of the bay. Steamed sea bass with garlic, chili, and lemon braise, scallops, and a passion fruit cocktail. What more could one truly ask for? Watching the tide roll in during blue hour was a stunning sight. It was an intimate evening, with the kind of meal that capped off the day on a high note.

Later, we stopped at Let’s Roll Medical Cannabis Shop, a high-standard gem with leather seats, a clean pool table, cannabis by the gram with bongs provided, grinders, papers, cocktails, and snacks. Not to mention the litany of board games! This place has a bustling, and organized chaos, where you can meet new people or just chill with friends, play Jenga, and forget about the rest of the world.

Having had the privilege to be traveling since I was seven, I’ve come to realize the real wealth of knowledge is outside the classroom. Knowledge is found in the experiences we create, the community we find, and the passions we connect over. Traveling is like doing all of this but in a speedrun. The more time I spend there, I realize Hua Hin has started to feel like a second home. I no longer feel like a poser city boy from Bangkok, but like my spirit always belonged on these sandy beaches. I don’t think it’s a coincidence we saw a double rainbow that day on the drive home.

Goodnight from beautiful Thailand, the sexiest country on Earth. See you on the next adventure.