A Long Weekend from Bangkok to Hua Hin Beach

For four serene days, including a weekend, I left behind the rhythm of Bangkok and escaped to the seaside town of Hua Hin.

At dawn on Saturday, just as the sun began to rise, I set off by car, and by precisely 8 a.m., I arrived in a peaceful coastal town still bathed in morning calm. Rather than staying at a hotel, I had booked a beachfront condominium owned by a Thai woman now living in Los Angeles. More precisely, the condo wasn't in Hua Hin proper, but in Cha-Am-a quiet town nestled just to the north.

The unit was a part of a sprawling complex that boasted a large private beach and an expansive swimming pool. My ground-floor suite featured a balcony that hovered just above the pool, allowing me to step directly into the water. From the room, I could see the stretch of beach beyond the pool- a golden shore that was less than a 30-second walk away.

The entire condominium complex felt like a private sanctuary. It seemed to serve as a holiday retreat for affluent Thais and foreign residents, but during my stay, it was nearly deserted. The silence was blissful-an invitation to unwind, to breathe.

I checked in early and let the quietness seep into my bones. My four days of stillness had begun.

On that first day, after a gentle swim beneath the wide, open sky, I strolled along the beach for about five minutes and discovered a small, hidden-away café. It, too, was empty. I settled into a cushioned sofa facing the sea, the only sounds being the whisper of the waves and the occasional breeze. I cooled down with an iced cappuccino, nibbled on a simple sandwich, and let my body sink into relaxation.

Along the quiet street behind me, a few modest hotels, cafés, and seafood restaurants stood, their subdued charm untouched by crowds. The absence of tourists gave the town a hush that softened the soul.

It was nothing like Bangkok. The roads were empty, the pace unhurried. Time itself seemed to pause. In that stillness, I could feel my heart gently unwinding.

Shimmering waters, the lull of gentle waves, white sands stretching endlessly, skies impossibly blue, trees swaying with emerald grace, the scent of blooming flowers, and the soft murmur of wind...

Throughout those days by the sea, I captured some of the scenery in melodies, letting my fingers translate what I saw into quiet tunes on the piano.

I know I'll return again- soon.