Takua Pa and Khao Sok National Park

Arrived 5/4/11


So I thought it was interesting / difficult enough to get around Khao Lak but that place is set up for tourists.

My first day of cycling an easy 30km into Takua Pa.  Started riding realise my speedo was broken – I had crushed the cable, idiot. I hadn’t even started riding and I had already broken something and something pretty helpful and important. Oh well shit happens.  Stumbled across a bike shop in Takau Pa and with many gestures got a new speedo and with even more difficultly I asked to pump my tyres up more with a floor pump.  Wow that was a hard to explain.  Mai kow jai, mai kow jai (I don’t understand) the lady kept saying.  Tyre – pump – me use? How else do you break it down! So I just grabbed a pump and pointed then two guys came out and did it for me, sweet.

Sorting accommodation: “Room, two nights? Me, two nights stay. One, two nights.  Tonight and tomorrow.”

And I have a room.

Dinner.  “Do you have a menu?”

“only in Thai.  Chicken?”

“Yes, fried rice” – token white boy

I need to learn Thai quick!

The night market works well though just point and take who knows what you get until you eat it!

There it is hiding in the greenery

Khao Sok National Park:

Khao Sok National Park was alright. I made the mistake of not allowing enough time to actually get over to the lake and see the renowned krast landforms that I wanted to see but I'm sure something else will come along later.  Instead I just took a guided walk through a section of the park with Adam (probably has another name in Thai...).  Communication was a bit of a struggle.  He'd rattle on about something and I'd pick up a couple words then simile and nod while he waited for me to answer.  "...sorry what did you say?" Classic. He knew a good bit about the place and happy to grab everything. Some funny creatures in there and I was lucky enough to see a Black Monkey - although very briefly.  Spiders (not a fan), Cameleons or similar (lizard things) and flying lizard things and lots and lots of bamboo.

I was told just to hold its tail as it bits
"not bad, not poison, but it bite"

I also got to experience my first belt of monsoon rain, luckily undercover.  A wise man once told me that when it rains it pours, and it poured.  Then the sun came out and hour later, sweet.

Ginger plants apparently,
well the roots of them.

"ah Adam, there's an f 'n' big spider on your face." 

The flying lizard. 

Some of the Krast landforms. I think the ones
on the lake would be a bit more impressive

Rain