My last days in Thailand
Trip Start
Dec 23, 2009
1
15
20
Trip End
Mar 15, 2010
Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani, Thailand
Monday, February 22, 2010
Feb 23rd - wake up early and head to catch a 7:00 am bus to Koah Saok National park. This is about a 4 to 5 hour trip and the first part its back to sleep. Awake about 9:00 to catch the last glimpse of Thailand's stunning coast line before heading inland. As the road winds through the mountains the views are more and more amazing with every turn. We arrive at our stop and then hop on a quick transfer to Our Jungle House which is a serious of tree houses and bungalows set in the jungle along the Koah Soak river. The staff is very inviting...owned by a Belgium man and his local wife. They have owned Our Jungle House for many years and their love for the area shows. I have reserved a bungalow right on the river which while the water is low due to the dry season its enough to provide a soothing sound while limestone cliffs rise to create a dramatic backdrop. This place is the perfect spot to unwind for a couple days before my travel itinerary starts to move rapidly. After lunch we hike with the owners Dog along the river for a few hours. The various sounds of the jungle combined with the river make for a most relaxing atmosphere. Shortly before sunset we sit on the beach of the river as a family of monkeys makes their nightly journey along the limestone cliff back home after cooling off in the water. The owners dog watches intently as if he wants to pounce on one and bring it home. I'm sure this takes place every night! After a few rum and cokes on the patio its dinner time. The dinning area is full of games so we play good old connect four. Dinner is delicious and followed by a relaxing evening on the bungalow patio with stars overhead and the random noises the jungle provides. This place like so many others is just as magical in its own unique way. Definitely glad I made the decision to visit the area.
Feb 24th - a nice morning of sleeping in followed by a dip in the water. After lunch I have arranged for a kayak trip down the upper part of the river. The water is really low but enough to make it through. I assumed I was just renting a Kayak for myself and Yui....but we actually had a guide which while not needed was nice cause we got to sit back and enjoy the scenery. The guide spots a boa constrictor in a tree along the riverside. This guys got some good eyes cause I would have never seen this snake tucked up in the tree. He gets us right underneath as Yui screams ha ha....The journey continues and every turn provides another beautiful backdrop. The skies are cloudy today so not too good for photos with the lack of contrast. Oh well. We hit a rope swing and swim for a bit and then its back to the bungalows. We have to catch a 4:00 transfer to Surhathani for a flight to Bangkok. We have already checked out but the owners were nice enough to let us get cleaned up in a vacant bungalow. The minivan transfer to the airport is hilarious as they will pack as many people....and things as possible in one van, picking up various people along the way. At one point I think there were 6 people in the front seat. We arrive in Bangkok and get to the hotel and head to a late dinner. We can't seem to find anything and against the advice of Yui....and stories I had heard....we jump in a tuk tuk as the driver knows of a great place. These guys have their fuel paid for by the restaurant owners in order to bring tourists to their over priced establishments.....and holy shit! Even though not that expensive by American prices the same dish that is 80 to 100 Baht at most places is 300 Baht here....or about $10. Same with the drinks...and the place is nothing extraordinary. We make eat fast and make a quick exit and opt for drinks at the hotel as its a nice accommodation in the Siam area of Bangkok.
Feb 25th - I choose this Bangkok location to stay as its next to an enormous shopping area....and when I say enormous picture the biggest mall you can think of and multiply it by 10 and we still didn't see a fraction of the area. I need warm clothes as my shorts and t-shirts won't cut it for Italy and Spain. Heck Madrid had snow about 10 days ago. As much as I am looking forward to seeing somewhere new I am not looking forward to cold temperatures. Oh well...at least the tourist season is not in full swing. So all these shopping stalls and not one piece of fleece! I managed to find a few pairs of pants a great prices....about $10 each and then just made the assumption that no one carried fleece cause its so hot in Bangkok. Back at the hotel and its time to pack and move on. Yui comes with me to the airport as I check in and we have lunch together. She is headed home to Kalasin which is in the north eastern part of Thailand. We say our long good bye and I'm off to Rome.
This, again, another amazing saga to my travels. From the random party in the jungle of Koh Phangan to swimming with the Mantas in the Similian Islands and of course to meeting so many amazing people along the way....I am very sad to be leaving this wonderful country....but I know I will return....sooner than later.
Cheers!
Greg
