Travelling in Thailand on your own: Khao Sok National Park – from the hotel to the edge of the jungle!
Get ready for a wonderful experience in exchange for comfort
According to my itinerary it was time to see some nature after visiting the deluxe islands. I decided to travel to Khao Sok National Part and exchange the comfortable hotels for a bungalow at the edge of the jungle. I quickly found out that I wouldn’t be short of animal companions. Geckoes basically became the cutest inhabitants of my bungalow, but I also encountered animals that you certainly do not want in your home.....But this was the jungle and I was absolutely determined!
A trip to Cheow Lan Lake and an elephant adventure? I’m buying!
Khao Sok is approximately 2 hours from the city of Surat Thani and this city or the Krabi Province are the best place to start your journey. You can use the services of a minivan or taxi. The National Park is an excellent destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. The local hotels and accommodation offer an extensive range of outings, from trips to the popular Cheow Lan Lake, to sleeping in the jungle or a trip by kayak up to the river, to an elephant adventure. I decided to try a trip to the lake and the elephant adventure myself. But when I booked these trips I had no idea of the adventure that I would experience…
Like Alice in Wonderland: Fairy-tale scenery and exciting adventure
The instructions were absolutely clear: Tennis shoes and a headlamp! My trip to the lake began with a boat trip of nearly an hour over Cheow Lan Lake, which is surrounded beautiful tall lime cliffs. After arriving at the floating restaurant and bungalows we had lunch, which was meant to give us some energy before the subsequent hike through the jungle and cave visit. Because it had been raining for a few days in Khao Sok by then, the path was slippery and we had to wade through chest-high water in some places, trying to keep our balance and stepping on who knows what, while we investigated the local caves. My adrenaline levels were sky high.
“The thing stuck to my thigh is a leech???“
On the way through the jungle we passed an enormous cloud of butterflies, which we walked through. I felt like I was in another world and I stepped carefully so I didn’t harm these deluxe beauties. I had a slightly less pleasant surprise on my return to the boat.
I realised something was itching on my thigh and when I looked down at the leech hanging from my skin I felt faint. I ran to one of the tourists holding a knife in his hand, who gallantly helped me. Phew! But all this is part of Khao Sok – leaving your personal comfort zone and, most importantly, being able to laugh about things honestly.
Elephant adventure? One big disappointment…
This trip promised bathing and feeding the elephants, which was exactly what I wanted. I honestly think riding the elephants is cruel and I don’t support it. So I hoped to see lots of happy and free kings of the animal world. Although I did see them, I unfortunately also saw one unhappy female elephant with a chain on her leg and people who still sat on the elephants.
Even though feeding and bathing the elephants and touching the their rough skin was an amazing experience for me, the entire trip was rather a disappointment for the reasons I stated above. I hope that the situation is better in other parks at least or that Thailand is on the path to improvement. However, I fear that the tradition of elephants is too deep-rooted and demand for elephant rides remains high.
How I came to have a soft spot for Khao Sok....
I am leaving Khao Sok with a feeling of personal victory and pleasant euphoria. It was an exciting experience, during which I overcame my phobia, experienced moments of fear and excitement, I forgot what hot water was and lived in the damp and wet for 3 days, I cohabited in my bungalow with more animals and insects than when I went camping and experienced what it was like to get bitten by a leech. If you are not hopelessly spoiled, you should certainly visit this park. A few less comfortable days are nothing compared to the adventures you experience, which are priceless!
