Khao Yai National Park
Trip Start
Nov 12, 2009
1
12
14
Trip End
Dec 26, 2009
Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
I requested a Park Ranger to go on a half-day trekking through the jungle. It was not a free service.
The gray-haired Ranger had 15 years experience on the job, plus the big knife he was carrying set my mind at rest.
Right away, he lead me chasing a pair of Hornbill birds. With wing span of over 1 meter u can't miss them.
Then we went looking for and spotted the gibbons which we heard singing from a distant. Amazing. My ears could hear from that far.
After that we saw bear claw marks on the trees, wild boar foot prints, elephant droppings everywhere but no more live animals. They got smart over the years. These are well informed animals!
The end of the path was at a watchtower close to parking. The view from the tower was breathtaking.
In the afternoon I went to see Pha Deaw Dai cliff, about 14 km from the Visitor Center. I had to drive down into a valley and then up on a steep slope to get there. Another breathtaking view, nice place to relax my feet after a few hours of trekking.
* * *
Day 3:
After I drove out of the park through the North gate, I realized I was on a scenic route. That was where the rich from Bangkok own fancy European style mansions with manicure lawn for weekend getaway. Facing the open agricultural valley, back against the high mountains of a national park which will be forever green. Beautiful. There was even a winery opened for tourists. Was that Thailand?
I continued driving through Saraburi province. I stopped to snap a few pictures in one of the many sunflower fields which the province was famous for.
I arrived at Ayutthaya for lunch and got ready to check out the ancient ruins.
