Att JamesA, MichaelBKK, and Hanuman. I read recently in the BKK Post that Phra Nakhon Khiri, BanPuen Palace and Marukhathaiyawan Palace all in the Phetchaburi/ Cha Am area are open to the public. Have any of you been to them? Are they worth a side trip? We will have a car and are going to be at the Sheraton in Cha Am near by. Trying to find something to do besides sitting on the beach all the time. Bob get beach boared.

Marukhathaiyawan Palace is open to the public certainly, many years since we went. Ban Puen sorry we have never been to. Phra Nakhon Khiri has amazing views, yes certainly open, you take a small railcar up the side of the hill. Take great care with the monkeys. There are various places and it is quite a hike around so wear good shoes etc.
Not 'so' interesting but if you ( as I am sure you will ) read up on the history it is well worth it as then the places 'mean something'.

I think your best bet is as usual get a car and driver to take you around. Taking the main road north from Cha Am it joins the main highway, enterting Phetchburi past Big C ( Mall ) you will see the mountain on your right. You turn and park near where the railcar goes up. A few quiet souvenir type shops. There are quite a few temples in Phetchburi and Wat Mahathat W ? ( ? sp sorry can't remember ) is worth seeing. The temples around Phetchburi will not charge any entrance, these are not set up for tourists, so having a car with driver/guide will be best.
You can drive around Phetchburi but you will probably miss the best places without a guide with you. I guess about 40 mins from Sheraton area.
Naturaly drop something in the offering box at those temples where no charge.

Did you do Khao takiab last time? That is about 5-7 mins past the Hyatt area and has various temples ( monkeys again ). That is easy to drive yourself to ( up a bit from where La Mer is ) - there are no charges but you can either drop something in the box. There are lots of dogs there which are cared for. We stop at a pet store and pick up a large bag of dried dog food and give that to them which is always appreciated.

So now Bob has you doing all the work while I guess he relaxes !

James...up the same hill Le Mer is on, or keep to the main street past the Le Mer road, then up?

Down the road from Hyatt past Supatra and veer left along past the fishing village. You go up the hill road towards La Mer and then ( if my visual memory service me well ) the road splits and there is the turn 'down' to La Mer, continue though up and you are there, plenty of car parking, the steep steps up to the main temple ahead, wander down left towards the Chinese temple.

Also don't miss the Khao Luang Cave outisde Phetchaburi

thanks...Just want to do some new things karen

james---in thailand can you have more than one wife?? if so i am leaving her for you

A women can have more than 1 husband!

when can i move in....??

Any time Bob. I have an elderly Aunt looking for someone just like you!

does she come with any baggage, other than jewels and gold??

like you for instance