As always, preparing what gears for a trip is a headache for
me. Three months ago for my 10 days Taiwan trip I decided
to detox myself and only bring a X100F. I had a blast.
For this June holiday we are headed to Khao Yai in Thailand.
Together with another family friend. ( CJ, Jean and their son Ian)
After many consideration I decided to bring the new X-T100.
To put some pressure on myself I decided to bring only
zoom lenses.
There is nothing wrong with zoom lens. It’s just that after moving
into the world of Fujifilm; I fell in love with their prime lenses.
And thus I rarely use zoom lenses.
For this trip; I brought along three lenses. XF10-24mm F4,
XC15-45mm 3.5-5.6 and XF100-400mm plus a 1.4 TC. I just
wanted to see how X-T100 works with all this lenses in the
real world.
Khao Yai is about two and half hours from the Suvarnabhumi
International Airport. If you are traveling from Bangkok it will take
about three hours. Our first night accommodation is at Lala Muhka.
A Glamping Resort. Why only a night? We are a team of urbanite
and wasn’t very sure if we were brave enough to stay for more
than a night. LOL.
Lala Muhka is actually a very lovely Glamping site. My only
complain is the air-condition compressor is actually beside the
tent and thus its rather noisy. Not recommended for light sleepers.
Of course if the weather is cool; air-conditioning will not be required.
In the evening a fifteen minutes drive from Lala Muhka brings
us to Mid Winter Green. A European castle theme restaurant.
I would think this place must have hosted many weddings for
the local. I was told in December to February ; the temperature
could dip below 20 degree which would have been perfect.
Our dinner was great and my wife is very pleased that she
had her warm chocolate cake. Price is on the high side. We
spend about 4000 Baht (USD$120) for 4 adult and 2 kids.
This is just food bill. No alcohol. Again I would still recommend
this place. Do come about 6pm to enjoy the magical change of
colors in the evenings sky.
Day 2.
Breakfast at Lala Muhka is basic but nevertheless delicious.
After breakfast we headed to the pool for half an hour of
fun before we check-out. If I were to come back again, I would
stay for two nights instead of one.
Our first stop; The Chocolate Factory. Which also house
a restaurant and cafe. The main hall has a glass window to the
working kitchen. Here we could see all the talented bakers at
work. On the opposite side, we have rolls and rolls of different
genre of chocolate to cater to any chocoholics’s craving.
After lunch we headed to our next stop; Chokchai Farm.
An entrance fees of 300 baht and 150 for kiddo. This fees
includes a guided tour of this huge farm. This includes milking
of cows; demo of how ice-cream is produces in the farm. We
were all transported from a carriage that is pulled by a tractor.
Along the way we see many different type of crops in the open
fields. In the middle of the farm is a small little cowboy town.
There is a little cafe, games and a souvenir stalls. Here kiddo
gets to ride ponies; carriage ride being pulled by horses and even
a ATV ride. Of course all this is chargeable. What is inclusive is
a dog show and also a cowboy show.
In the late afternoon we check into Dusit D2 Khao Yai. A lovely
modern hotel with mountain views. Did I tell you that they have a
mini kiddo farm on the hotel ground? It house two Alpacas, a few
cute silky chicken and many rabbits. For a small fees we could
buy some feeds from the animal care taker.
Day 3.
After breakfast we headed to Khao Yai National Park. A thirty
mintues ride bring us to the Visitor Centre. Immediately we could
see wild deers roaming feely around. As there was a light rain in the
morning and when we reach the temperature was at cool 23.9
degree. The plan was to do a easy 1.4km unguided round route to
show the kiddo about the forest and follow by another uphill hike to
see a waterfall.
We started the 1.4km walk by crossing a bridge before heading into
the forest. The walk is pave and with a couple of “mini” obstacle as
it blocked by some fallen log and branches. We see some insect
along the way which is pretty educational for the two kiddo.
Halfway along the route Jean started to scream. Something seems to have
bitten her. It was a leech above her ankle. As her husband CJ try
to manage it; the two kiddo was afraid and wanted to get out. We were
almost in the middle of the 1.4km route so we decided to press forward.
Within 2-3 mintues my wife stared the scream as if she saw her favorite
korean movie stars. She was also bitten by another leech. In the end
everyone expect Summer and myself was not bitten. The downside for
me was to carry this 23KG daughter of mine all the way back to the
visitor center. Suddenly I had flashback of my national service days
in the army. Below are some pics taken with X70. Due to the crisis I
kept the X-T100 in the backpack and use X70.
We spend the next 20 mintues trying to check if there is anymore leech
on our body and also our bag. Later I learned that we should bring a
small spray bottle filled salt water. Apparently; once bitten by a leech;
just spray the salt water on the leech and it will just release its bite.
I was commenting how proud I was to my daughter that she didn’t want
her mother to carry her during this crisis. Her reply was it’s not because
she care for her mama; rather she was afraid a leech might also climb unto
her from Mama. In some way she gotten her priority right. LOL.
Our original plan of hiking to the waterfall was apparently abolished by all
members of Team Urbanite . We headed back to the hotel immediately .
In some way this was the highlight of this trip. I actually brought a tripod
and a 10 stop Kenko filter to do some long exposure. I guess it will have to
be another time.
When we reach outside our hotel room; CJ and myself did another check
on our gears and bags to see if any leech actually follow us back. Actually
when I was back in Singapore; one leech was found on my sock! wow.
After some recovery time for Team Urbanite we headed out for our next
adventure to a safe sanctuary call Primo Piazza. We reach this Italian
theme village rather late and most of the tourist have already left. We
almost have the whole little town to ourselves.
The entrance fees also includes feeds for you to feed the Alpacas,
sheep and even donkeys. It’s not a big place but very charming and
perfect for the Instagram generation. I could walk the whole township
in half an hour. We spend about an hour here and I did get a chance
to try a long exposure shot with the Kenko 10 stops filters. Below are
two shots; one with and the other without. It does create a better mode
to the scene. Agree?
As it was also dinner time; we headed to the Pak Chong township
to Ban Mai Chan Museum and Restaurant. This is a very unique place.
The walk from the entrance to the dining area is filled with toys and
menrodium from yesteryear. As for the dining area it by the river
and they serve local Thai cuisine. Another highly recommended place
to go.
Day 4
We went back to the Chocolate Factory for a Chocolate Making Workshop.
initially we were told its only conducted in Thai but thankfully it was in
English when we were there.
We started by trying different type and percentage of cocoa to understand the
different type of chocolate. The kiddo sample so much chocolate that it felt more
like Chocolate Eating Workshop. We also tried design some chocolate design
with nuts and raisins.
A five minutes drive bring us to a Panorama Mushroom Farm. I received a
welcome drink in a small bottle. What could it be? Other than a refreshing
mushroom drink! It’s actually pretty yummy. We had a guided tour and it pretty
educational. If you love eating mushroom; there is even a mushroom resort to
complete the experience. Yes, the exterior of your room are shaped like mushroom.
Cuteness to the max!
Our late lunch venue is at the Mews. A hippy cafe in a park. There serve some
delicious fusion Thai food. After lunch we did some ceramic painting on plates.
It’s a nice place to spend an lovely afternoon.
Our next destination is at Pete’s maze. I would think the size of this maze is
about 6-8 tennis courts. We decided to split into two groups. Daddies and kiddo
vs Team Mamas. We were suppose to take photos of five statues within the maze.
After 5 minutes into it; the heaven pour down and we struggle to find our way out.
Thankfully the maze attendant came to the recuse! She even brought umbrellas
for us. Within a minute we were usher to the emergency exit. I never knew
there is an emergency exit in a maze. We will be back!
Day 5
All good thing must come to an end. After a hearty breakfast to headed back
to the airport. Along the way CJ has prepare 2 pitstop. First is a vineyard. Yes;
you heard it right. I guess due to the climate on the hilly area it’s quite prefect.
PB Valley is the largest vineyard estate in Khao Yai. There is a winery tour
unfortunately we don’t have ninety minutes to spare.
Our finally pitstop Dairy Home Farm Shop. It’s a restaurant and a cafe with a
dairy farm theme. I like the little tree house where kiddo could actually climb
up.
So after five days with X-T100; what is my user experience? I like the design;
or should I say I love the design. A very well made camera. AF is average for
me. It’s a tad slower than a X-T20. Not that its bad, one just have to remember
that it’s not a professional camera. This camera is design for beginners to
maybe intermediate level photographers in mind. The three-way LCD screen
is a joy to have. Secretly I wish the new X-T3 will have this feature too. The
3-way LCD screen is perfect for vlogger. Just take note that X-T100 only
takes 4K video at fifteen frame per second. I don’t know why. So just stick to
HD and you are good to go.
I am the kind of photographer that doesn’t like to wait for my camera to be
switch on. And X-T100 does takes awhile; to me one second means mean
a lot! I don’t know the exact timing but it feels forever to me. Battery life is good.
So no complain on that. EVF quality is good. Just that it takes a tad longer to
switch when you put your eye to the EVF.
So how did it fare with the three zoom lens I brought? It didn’t work that well with
XF100-400mm for obvious reason. It still work well, don’t get me wrong. just that
the balance is not that great. I think it will pair perfectly with XF55-200mm. As
for the other two lenses XF10-24mm and XC15-45mm, it’s almost made in
heaven. I didn’t really enjoy the power zoom of XC15-45mm. Once you get the hang
of it; it OK. But this kit lens is pretty sharp for what it is.
I have a confession. I did added a XF23mm F1.4 to my bag! I can’t live without
a prime lens. Now with this combo I think the X-T100 is at its element. It doesn’t
matter if X-T100 house a bayer sensor. The IQ is still great. Like what I mention
before, X-T100 is indeed a budget power house.
Lovely post Ivan. I enjoyed reading it. Love the pictures. Really put those pictures in context. Hope for more such post.
Loving it.
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