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This morning we were picked up in a big Isuzu 4wd. There were already 4 other travelers on board so Sue sat in the front with the driver, Mel. What luxury. This thing had everything that opens and shuts! We drove North for around 50 mins to a place on a river called Bor Thor. We could immediately see the mangroves growing all along the opposite side of the river. On our side was a series of buildings built actually on the river and floating on a huge raft. The whole structure must have been 100 metres long. Here we got an extra dry bag, water and life jackets and boarded our 2 man sea kayak. We set off downstream, but against the incoming tide. Mel had his own kayak, with a besser block in the aft seat, and the four Singaporeans (as it turned out) in the other two kayaks. We paddled downstream for a few hundred metres before turning into the mangroves. It was absolutely beautiful paddling through them. Looking up we could see the karste mountains rearing vertically in the near distance. It was really comical watching the other guys trying to steer their kayaks (sorry guys if you read this)! They had obviously never paddled before and kept running into the mangrove roots and/or us or their friends! We meandered through the mangroves until we came to a point where we could paddle through a cave and out into a lagoon which was completely surrounded by high almost vertical walls covered in dense rainforest! It was stunningly beautiful and the silence was exquisite. There was just the sounds of the jungle wildlife. It was truly a magical experience. On leaving there we paddled to a landing where we de-kayaked and walked into a cave system which had been inhabited by people around 2500BC and they had left some cave art in the form of some 100 or so images of animals, hand prints and human figures. They were amazing and we got some great photos. We climbed up through the cave and out onto an external ledge which gave us great views over the top of the mangroves and to the many karste mountains both near and far. We took the obligatory tourist photos before heading back to our kayaks and continuing on. We returned to the main stream and then back into another little gap in the mangroves and from their had to wend our way through some fairly narrow channels which led to even more comical collisions! On the way we saw a baby monitor lizard on a rock. Thankfully it's mother was not around! We passed into a few more caves which were just so beautiful: you have to see the photos. Eventually we came out into another lagoon even more beautiful than the first and Mel called to the monkeys and after a time they actually called back! It was again a really awesome experience with the jungle covered cliffs towering vertically above us on all sides. We paddled through a little loop and found a large mud crab climbing on a mangrove root above the water! Eventually we paddled back out through the cave and Mel pointed out some fossil bones in the roof, presumably dinosaur. Finally it was time to head back for lunch and we returned to the mainstream and paddled, this time with the tide, back to our landing where we enjoyed tom yum soup, a chicken and cashew stirfry, a vegetable stirfry and some sweet and sour fish for lunch. Yummy! On leaving we were hit by a tropical storm complete with thunder and lightning and we arrived back at our hotel around 3pm.After a break we headed out to dinner and some shopping and decided to go to a restaurant that Mel had said his friend ran. It was called Chaba Thai Kitchen and was the best we have been to! The cocktails were superb and we got 2 for 1, the food was equally as good and the staff were lovely. Mel turned up and we chatted to him and then, as they had a booking office almost right next to our table, we booked to do a Thai cooking class on Fri am. Left the restaurant and went and picked up our clothes from the tailor. They were all excellent and really good quality, probably the best that we have seen in Thailand. Home to bed and the end of a perfect day!
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Leigh Stokes Wow - that day sounded amazing!!! IWe are having a balmy week with 15/16 degree days - not bad for this time of year. By the way do you know how the Saints went on the weekend??!! I do miss stirring you!! All the best for the 2nd week of the holidays your honeymooners!!! No I don't know how they went and I don't think I want to know, judging by the glee you are exhibiting!! It was indeed an amazing day. Hope work is just as amazing! :)