After a brief stay in Bangkok and Surat Thani, our time in Thailand turned more tranquil as we headed to Khao Son National Park. I booked a two day group safari with a company organised by Khao Sok Tourism Association.
This whole two day excursion – including transfers from Surat Thani Airport and to Krabi Town, dinner, breakfast, lunch, a cave tour, accommodation, kayak facilities, evening and morning safari and a scenic tour of Ratchaprapha Dam – cost a very reasonable 8,800 Thai Baht (£216.75) for two.
We arrived at the tourism association offices in Ban Ta Khun a little earlier than required, giving us time to explore the Amphoe Ban Ta Khun temple across the road, a mesmerising building impressively detailed with ornate gold tessellation and rich navy and burgundy sculpturing. Shortly we were met by a charismatic American, who worked for the Khao Sok Lake tourist board. We were then, swiftly,
picked up by a transporter van and taken, rather speedily, to Rajaprabba Pier. Here we boarded a long tail boat along with around twenty other visitors. Although the boat looked little more than a few planks of wood nailed together it cruised through the sapphire blue waters holding twenty passengers, their luggage, and two Thai tour guides, one of which also functioned as captain. Within an hour or so we arrived at our accommodation for the night - a row of bamboo huts floating on the lake edge. After settling in, a traditional Thai lunch of fried rice and noodles, sweet 'n' sour chicken, and several other chicken dishes was served in the raft house.
Well-fuelled after lunch, we embarked on a cave tour, guided by the captain of the boat (who also served our lunch - a true 'all-rounder'), along with his young helper who led the way. We were told to wear something that we didn't mind getting wet and suitable shoes for walking. Not having many options of clothing, we wore our gym trainers, shorts and a vest top over swimwear. Along with the rest of the group we boarded the long tail boat again, which took us around the jungle topped rock that jetted out into the lake. We all clambered off the boat when instructed and began our hike along the unsteady surface of the lakeside. We meandered through jungle-like terrain, dodging overhanging bamboo and wading through streams. When we reached the entrance to the cave we were given a snack - a sticky banana wrapped in a vine leaf, a Thai sweet that was surprisingly very tasty. As a group, we then ventured into the cave, squeezing through narrow paths in the rock, some filled with water up to our necks, all floored with slippery stones. We trekked through the cave for roughly 45 minutes, joined by bats hanging over head and no light other than that produced by our borrowed headlights.
Once back at the bungalows we swam in the turquoise lake and drank Chang on the deck (the plank of wood that stretched along the front of the row of bungalows).Pre-dinner we set out on a sunset safari, again on the long-tail boat, to explore the lakeside jungle. We were lucky enough to catch some wild monkeys going about their business in the high vines and watch the sun set over the motionless water, painting the sky a bumblebee yellow that soon became amber then rhubarb red with hints of purple. We got back to the raft house before dark for another delicious Thai meal.
We rose early the next morning and set out kayaking by 7am. This was perhaps one of the bests mornings one could experience, so tranquil, so idealistic. We were back at the lake house by 9am for a breakfast of Thai pancakes, then it was time to pack up and head back, via a very beautiful scenic tour, to Rajaprabba Pier. On route we stopped at another (much smaller) cave that we could enter briefly without getting soaked, and stopped for a Thai lunch of fried rice, pineapple, and watermelon (again provided by our tour guide) amongst the jungle.
Although we were hesitant about the group touristy and structural element of these thirty hours, they proved two of the most enjoyable days of our trip.
Comments