What's On & Where To Go Hua Hin - Hin Lek Fai

[Big Boy]

Yet another photo set that didn't make it onto the main forum.

Before I start, I must have chosen one of the worst days possible to do this photo shoot. I chose 9 Nov 13, the day after the great storm. Unfortunately, many of the footpaths were blocked with fallen trees and branches.

Hin Lek Fire is the large hill/mini mountain that provides the backdrop to Hua Hin. It provides the perfect natural viewing platform to see Hua Hin from above. In fact, even with today's poor visibility, I could see as far as Cha-Am in the North and Khao Takiab in the South. On a clear day it is possible to see much further.

Hin Lek Fire has 6 viewing points. 1, 2 and 3 facing prediminantly South. Unfortunately it was not possible to access those today. Even when conditions are good, these are not the easiest viewing points to access. There are no safety barriers.

Viewing point 6 faces predominantly to the North, and again I was unable to access it. This viewing point poses medium difficulty to access. There are no safety barriers.

Viewing points 4 (the largest) and 5 are easy to access at all times, and there are barriers to prevent falling.

Behind viewing point 4 is a large auditorium with a statue of His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) overlooking everything.

Hin Lek Fire is more than just a viewing point. It provides a pleasant walk amongst nature. It is not unusual to encounter the local tribe of monkeys, squirels, lizards, snakes (if you're very unlucky ), colourful butterflies etc. It is a very serene setting, with the hustle and bustle of the city below.

There was once a huge bird cage up at Hin Lek Fire. You can still view the huge supporting frame over which a net was thrown. Several of the species that were once held within the cage can still be seen.

This is a 'must see' for visitors to the city.

DSC00128.jpg (95.18 KiB) Viewed 1964 times

DSC00140.jpg (100.62 KiB) Viewed 1964 times

Coming soon - Viewpoint 1, which is actually accessed from half way up the mountain.

[dtaai-maai]

Can't help noticing you always refer to this place as Hin Lek Fire - isn't it Hin Lek Fei?

[Big Boy]

I honestly don't know. There used to be a sign on on Petchkasem Road with the spelling I've adopted. If it's still there, I'll photograph it as proof .

[Lev]

Title edited, it is 'Hin Lek Fai', which means flint-stone.

[hhfarang]

I've seen a sign that does say "Hin Lek Fire".

[Big Boy]

Title edited, it is 'Hin Lek Fai', which means flint-stone.

This photo was taken this morning.

I think all roadsigns (blue or white) around the town are spelt this way. I rest my case m'Lud

Seriously, I know Lev well, and his knowledge of the Thai language is excellent. However, he has fallen into the trap that I raised in the thread before I went to Krabi. Why do Thais put in a letter R where its not needed when writing a Thai word in English?

[Terry]

AND....................
Just so as not to confuse anyone....................

Did you know that Hin Lek Fai District is where Hua Hin Fishing Lodge is situated?
It's in our formal address.

And it's nowhere near the Hin Lek Fai Viewpoint which is some 6.4 Km away - as the crow flies........

[Big Boy]

I have often wondered, when strolling around Hin Lek Fai, "Where is Viewpoint 1?" Well I spotted the signpost as I was taking the 'traffic free' route to Pala-U Road a couple of days ago.

I spotted the signpost as I was taking the 'traffic free' route to Pala-U Road

Unusually, my wife (who doesn't do walking) decided to be my companion today. We parked the car where they are going to build the new Tourist Police Station, and walk down the hill to the signpost and start of the trail.

the signpost and start of the trail

start of the trail

Well, after the first few yards of concrete walkway, it became a natural trail. There were often forks in the path, and the height of trees was not suitable for somebody over 6'5" tall. It was dry this morning, with quite a blanket of dead leaves on the floor. The blanket of leaves was quite even, but this was an illusion. The narrow footpaths were far from even. There were places where the footpath was at quite an angle, and the dried leaves made walking quite slippery. There were also quite a few rocks to climb over.

height of trees was not suitable for somebody over 6'5" tall

The blanket of leaves was quite even

quite a few rocks to climb over

We had to make a decision at several forks regarding which direction to take. Each time we chose what looked to be the most likely path, but didn't really know if we were making the correct choices. We battled our way through until there was no more path to walk. Through the trees, there was a bit of a view of the town and coastline looking North. I took a photo, but unfortunately the pathetic little camera that I use decided to focus on the trees, rather than the distance view.

little camera that I use decided to focus on the trees, rather than the distance view

If this was the viewpoint, it wasn't a very good one, and the other viewpoints were much better. However, I'm sure there will be some experienced explorer who found the proper Viewpoint 1, who will tell me what I missed.

The route we took, while it was potentially dangerous, couldn't have been too bad because my wife who walks with a stick managed it. However, had it been raining, I think this route could be quite dangerous, with significant drops in places.

Quite a pleasant early morning stroll.

[Pleng]

I think all roadsigns (blue or white) around the town are spelt this way. I rest my case m'Lud

Seriously, I know Lev well, and his knowledge of the Thai language is excellent. However, he has fallen into the trap that I raised in the thread before I went to Krabi. Why do Thais put in a letter R where its not needed when writing a Thai word in English?

I think it's a different issue. The 'R' in Krabi is one of those that some people do and some don't pronounce (and some pronounce very softly), like the 'R' in Krab.

This looks like a typical case of Thinglish mistranslation - Fai translates to "Fire" in English (as well as electricity, lightbulb and all manner of other related things!).

Indeed in Krabi the 'r' sound is in the spelling: กระบี่
In Fai, on the sign, it's not: ไฟ

[dtaai-maai]

'Hin Lek Fai', which means flint-stone.

Doesn't the portmanteau (I think that's the term for combined words ) hin-lek-fai mean flint, therefore literally translated as something like firestone, which would be quite logical?

[Frank Hovis]

hinlekfire means flint. Literally Hin(stone), Lek(metal/steel), Fire(Fire).

The signpost "Khao Hin Lek Fire Viewpoint" is a bit odd because "Viewpoint" is a proper translation but "Khao Hin Lek Fire" is a transcription (of sounds).

When Thai's say "ไฟ", on it's own, to me it sounds like a two syllable "Fa-yee". When it's part of another word like electricity (Feye Fa) and then then it seems to be monosyllabic so I can see a transcription of "ไฟ" to "Fire" with a silent 'r'; the silent 'r' being in place of some sort of glottal stop.

I don't think the "Fire" in "Hin Lek Fire" is a translation, I think it's just a transcription that happens to appear to be the same word as the translation (to English).

[dtaai-maai]

I don't think the "Fire" in "Hin Lek Fire" is a translation, I think it's just a transcription that happens to appear to be the same word as the translation (to English).

Agreed. I wasn't thinking of the sign, just interested in the literal meaning of the word.

Must learn this damn language properly one day... (เมื่อหมูบิน)

[Rshome123]

Looks a good place to visit for some peace and quiet... Not too many tourists there I hope?

[Big Boy]

Probably best to avoid weekends and 4pm onwards.

[shellyball]

It's great for sunset, stop at the market grab some dinner and have yourself a wee picnic on the platform! You get some strange looks but no one ever stays long )