2 days in Hua Hin - General queries - Please recommend

[simv]

I'll be in Hua Hin for couple of days(not weekends) in May. I'll be staying at Hilton with a group. Not aware of our itinerary yet. Just had some basic queries so thought of posting here.

1) Can I get a CDMA connection which I can use in Hua Hin(2 days) and Bangkok(2 days)? I have a CDMA phone which has T-sim card. Unfortunately, I dont have a GSM phone.

2) Does Hilton have free a Wifi connection or you have to pay for it? How much is the approximate rate? Any other cheap internet options? Are there cybercafes around? What are the approximate rates?

3) What are the places which you would recommend not to miss in Hua Hin during our 2 days stay?

4) Any specific dishes you'd recommend not to be missed? I'd prefer something cheap, hygienic, roadside (I always think roadside food is the tastier food than what you get it star hotels, provided it's hygienic. I prefer chicken, fish, prawns, spicy, open to try other local sea food or vegetables. Would like to avoid pork or beef but I don't mind trying them if highly recommended.

5) Any good photography sites around hilton? I love photography and will be carrying my photography equipment - DSLR, Tripod etc.

6) Can you hire a bike? What are the rates? Or do you recommend the Tuk tuk (hope I am correct) for two days? Again, what is the approximate fare? Do you need to bargain?

7) Do you need to bargain in local market or are the rates fixed? What to you recommend to buy as a souvenir?

Thank you.

[Super Joe]

I'll be in Hua Hin for couple of days(not weekends) in May. I'll be staying at Hilton with a group. Not aware of our itinerary yet. Just had some basic queries so thought of posting here.

3) What are the places which you would recommend not to miss in Hua Hin during our 2 days stay?

5) Any good photography sites around hilton? I love photography and will be carrying my photography equipment - DSLR, Tripod etc.

Here's a general list of sighseeing, trips etc I done for family who've come over before:

Night Market - Soi 72 in Town, 6pm-11pm, good market shopping, excellent open air restaurants
Elephant Trekking – Plus crocodile and cobra shows, 15 mins from town centre.
Huay Mongkol Giant Buddha Statue – Plus temple grounds, 20 mins from town centre
Temples - Various interesting Wat's around town, some with lakes to feed large fish, peacocks etc
Khao Takiab Mountain - Feed wild monkeys and view across Hua Hin bay – 10 mins from town centre.
Springfield Pool & Spa – At the golf course 30 mins drive away, 100B/person for all day. Nice poolside restaurant/bar. Spa facilities.
Pala-U waterfall - About 70 minutes away (probably a bit dry at this time of year!?)
Sasi Thai dinner & dance show – 5 mins from town centre, approx. 7pm - 9pm, 750 Baht per head.
Khao Wang Mountain - Petchaburi 50 mins away, old palace & temples on top mountain, cable car or hard walk, stunning views if you make it!!
Maruekatayawan Palace - Halfway to Cha Am, old Teakwood Palace that you can walk round, next to beach.
Khao Hin Lek Fai Mountain Viewpoint – 5 mins from town centre, with various viewpoints over town and beach
Muay Thai - Boxing nights, 2 stadiums.
Koh Tao Island - 6 hours away, requires a couple of days, good accomodation, beautiful beaches, diving, snorkelling etc
Bowling alley and cinema – In local shopping mall 'Market Village'.
Fishing Park – 15 mins from town centre, 2 well stocked lakes with large fish, restaurant, kids play area. Great, inexpensive family day out,
Fishing HHAD sponsor link: http://www.huahinafterdark.com/hua-hin-fishing.htm
Boat trips – Sea cruises (Monkey Island, beaches, fishing etc) or River Cruises (electric boat around local river, Mangrove swamp) by Mermaid Cruises
Boat trip HHAD sponsor link: http://www.huahinafterdark.com/hua-hin- ... -trips.htm


Wat Huay Mongkol Big Buddha:

Big Buddha pic.jpg (27.54 KiB) Viewed 2431 times

Maruekatayawan Teakwood Palace:

Old Teakwood Palace pic.jpg (54.87 KiB) Viewed 2431 times

Springfield Pool & Spa @ golf course:

Springfield pic.jpg (39.03 KiB) Viewed 2431 times

SJ

[buksida]

There is a whole world of info on tourist attractions and activities on this website: www.tourismhuahin.com

[brianks]

Hilton will charge you for internet connection in your room. Don't know what it is but friend was commenting on this when he stayed there recently after the high cost of the room.

Don't forget to visit the night time zoo across the street from the hotel. Different Strokes for different folks.

[MwD]

CAT and Hutch have CDMA networks here. Not sure if they have good coverage in Hua Hin though.

For Wifi, various places offer free Wifi. There is a free city wide wifi system in place, which I haven't used, so not sure how good it is.

TOT have chargeable wifi hotspots.

Always bargain or you will pay top farang prices at the markets, in fact bargain in shops as well.

A bike with cost about 100baht a day.

[Takiap]

Considering how budget conscious you are, I'm amazed you're staying at the Hilton, which is by far not the best value around - everything is way over priced.

The free city wide WiFi is fine in town, although it does seem to log you out every hour.

[simv]

^^ The stay is sponsored

Thank you all for the great inputs. It will really be useful.

[margaretcarnes]

For street food try Phad Thai (stir fry noodles, egg, veg etc) which can be made as spicy as you want, and with prawns, chicken, pork. You probably won't come across beef anyway - duck is the Thai preference. Duck and noodle soup, or rice soups with whatever meat you want in them are also usually very good and you add the chilli to taste.
For photo opportunities in the town centre the Sofitel hotel gardens are a must for the topiary animals, plus the building itself. The Railway Station is another focal point, and the fishing pier. You do tend to end up with photos which look just the same as the postcards so try to get a different angle on things!
Tuk Tuks these days seem to charge in units of 100 baht with a minimum of 100 for short trips. Hardly worth haggling for a couple of days, but all street/market traders (apart from food stalls) expect you to barter. Enjoy.

[Johanna]

about internet. Many bars/restaurants provide free wireless internet.

[matthewnoel]

why bother visiting,just google it!

[Shane]

Here's a general list of sighseeing, trips etc I done for family who've come over before...

SJ

Cheers SJ, this is going to be useful for me also. :]