Huay Yang is not the Thailand most people search for first. It is quieter than that. A small coastal village where the road to the beach, the market stalls, the mangoes in the car, the dogs in the shade, and the warm evenings by the pool become the reason we return before we have even left. A place we call home.

We had the privilege of experiencing something truly special here in Huay Yang—a monk ordination ceremony at Wat Samut temple. At first, we didn’t realize what was happening. We had come to explore the temple and take some pictures of the colorful temple, but it quickly became clear something extraordinary was taking place.

Tucked away along the serene coast of Thap Sakae, Thailand, lies a place seemingly forgotten by time—the beautiful White Waters Plantation. What was once a flourishing retreat designed by a Thai architect now stands abandoned, its rustic beauty preserved in weathered bamboo walls, creaking wooden floors, and the quiet stories etched into every corner.