Khao Yai National ParkApr 20, 2007
|
|
The two days spent around Khao Yai National Park were very surreal. The lodge we stayed at was a bit older but had a great swimming pool complete with its very own waterfall and a probably a two to one staff to guest ratio(the latter is more of a function of traveling in the low tourist season than anything else).
A Swedish couple, and British couple, Becca and myself were equipped with leech guards then led into the jungle by our guide, Tommy. He was this wiry Thai man in his 50s with shoulder length gray hair and a weathered face that looked exactly liked you would expect/hope your jungle guide to look, wearing camo pants, boots, and a knife. Interestingly, he spoke perfect English that he learned listening to Bob Dylan while living in Missouri. He also lived on a coffee/pot farm on the Big Island in the early 80s for awhile.
We spent a good portion of the day trekking through dense jungle looking for wild animals. The jungle was incredibly noisy. You could hear packs of wild dogs in the distance, monkeys, gibbons, insects, giant squirrels warning their friends about us, you name it. Despite the fact that we were not on any trail whatsoever for hours, Tommy led us to a waterfall where we had lunch and went for a swim. I think it was the first time I've ever eaten curry and rice while hiking. Everyone bought lunch at the park visitor's center, where you got curry and rice in a bag not unlike the one you would carry a goldfish home in, filled with air and tied at the top with a rubber band. I really can't believe it survived the hike in.
Since it's the dry season we were able to hike out on exposed rocks in the river to the waterfall that was on the movie the Beach. We then explored the park by pick up truck driving around in the dwindling light looking for animals that come out near the road to the salt licks. Unfortunately there were no elephants but the park was gorgeous at dusk. We did see a very poisonous snake, a banded krait on the drive home. Our guide and some of the other got out to "play" with the snake. I watched from the safety of the back of the truck. Another great thing about the day, is we didn't see a single person hiking...
By the time we got back to the lodge is was 9 at night and we had spent the last 13 hours in the park. We were immediately invited/dragged from the truck to a birthday party being held for the lodge's owner. All the staff, a handful of guests and some other random Thai people were at this party complete with a ton of free food, beer, dancing and Thai karaoke. There were a bunch of English songs and I somehow ended up on a stage singing Eternal Flame with Louisa (the British girl) and some new found Thai friends.
