It's an airless, languid day and the mugginess permeates the third-class train carriage. Passenger heads nod to the rhythm of the wheels, while the ceiling fans refuse to turn. As the rice plains to the west of Bangkok give way to the houses of Ratchaburi, a sudden cloudburst spurs passengers to hastily close the carriage windows. The rain doesn't last.
The towers of the Khmer temple in Phetchaburi are a dead ringer for some at Angkor in Cambodia, but much less visited. Cave temples in the jungle house a sleeping Buddha figure.
In the early morning, I awoke to a stunning vista of Cha-am beach set against azure skies. It was a bright day to unwind and soak in the splendour of nature by taking a deep breath of fresh air, perfect for my first hiking trip after working from home for two years. This was like a challenge to put my physical abilities to the test.