Khao Sok

I think this was the energy I needed - nothing like nature to give you a boost.

Arrived at Khao Sok National park and immediately felt better amongst the limestone mountains and trees.

Not a bad view from a hostel balcony

and Bed

The bus journey was pretty smooth - I was picked up by a minibus, and then intercepted the next bus which took me all the way here.

with a short stop at the bus station

21st February

The next day - a boat trip which made me feel that I was truly here - the scenery - just what you picture when you think of Thailand. The process for getting onto the boat was a little chaotic, but I'm sure it was 'organised chaos'. On the minibus, I was with two German girls, and three girls from England on their 'gap year' before University. On the boat there were a few more people.

We went to a cave and did a short jungle walk.

'Crocodile rock'

The inside of a Banyan tree

Then a big lunch at a floating platform, where there were floating villas - you can stay in the villas overnight, but after sunbathing on the floating platform, I'm not sure I'd enjoy the floating villas all night - and we were able to swim in the lake (although it was compulsory to wear a life jacket).

Nevertheless, it was a beautiful place to relax.

22nd February

Today, I visited the part of the National park that is about 100 m from the hostel. It was 200 baht to enter and I was able to walk around without a guide, although there were many groups with guides and it was interesting to eavesdrop and find out information.

There are wild Elephants somewhere in the park, but I expect these are far from where we are allowed to walk, although, they are free to roam everywhere and there were some areas, the guides said, were trampled by elephants.

There were weird jungle noises as I walked. They say the jungle vines can grow 15 cm in a day - you surely must be able to almost see them growing at this rate....

This is a spiny chameleon

and this a flying lizard - he has little wings that come out from under his head to allow him to float between trees.

The guides pointed out a couple of holes where there were tarantulas sleeping. You could see their hairy legs. I assume these were the 'Thai black' tarantula - not deadly to humans but the bite is very painful.

I wish I had taken this picture - but, no - it's from the internet of course!

 

At the end of the walkway there was a waterfall - again a lovely peaceful place when the humans weren't there.

It was growing unbearably hot towards midday - even under the trees - and I made my way back.

Along the way, it was nice to see the monkeys, doing what they do naturally in the wild - eating leaves and swinging across the branches

The 'Spectacled Langur' 

Long tailed Macaque acrobatics

After a nap I went out for another walk, but the heat and humidity made it a short one. I took a few more pictures around the Khao Sok village. below is the Painting family hostel, where I'm staying. It is run by a family, but I don't think that's their name.

Different types of accommodation:

Night bus to Bangkok tomorrow - a fifteen hour journey.