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We'll travel anywhere to escape Brexit
Another early start, up at 6.45, breakfasted and ready to go by 7.30 for our trip to Khao Yai National Park. We drive 6 miles to the gateway to the park and wait for the truck from Greenleaf, our guides for the day.
A large shiny truck rolls up and a chap jumps out, welcomes us and we are away. As we pass through the huge wooden gates it reminds us of the film Jurassic Park. The next 10 hrs are spent aboard the truck rounding mountainous hairpins through the jungle roads.
The day was fabulous and the guide Lek was knowledgeable and passionate about nature. The nuts and bolts of it are, we saw macaque monkeys (babies clinging on), beautiful birds of all hues (using Lek's telescope) including drongoes and bee-catchers, lizards and water dragons, deer and bird eating spiders - all on our way to the hike! The hike itself was about to begin when Lek warned us that this trek was the location where 3 weeks earlier a French woman had been bitten by a crocodile -eeer scary!!!! He then went on to explain that the woman deserved it as she got too close trying to take a selfie with it?????
Less than 5 minutes in to the hike Lek stopped and squatted down scanning the plants and we all hung around thinking about Crocs when Lek exclaimed 'Got it'. We crowded around and got up close and personal with a pit viper - Thailand's most poisonous snake. If you have watched the BBC series Wild Thailand you will know the cameraman took 2 weeks to get the perfect shot of this snake - good work Lek, 10 mins and snapped.
The hike continues through forest/jungle down to a small river and we are all worrying about crocs. After 10 minutes of passing 'No Swimming Beware of Crocodiles' signs we see one sunbathing on the opposite bank, 2 m long and prehistoric. OMG! I believe they say.
We move on as the hike continues and one of our party almost brushes onto a another pit viper. I get as close as I can (dare) and snap the same shot as the BBC cameraman (well almost).
After lunch we get back in the truck and tour the park hoping to see a wild elephants as dusk approaches.
By now we have seen way more wildlife than anyone could have expected and Lek has been an amazing guide. Unfortunately for us his magic is not working as we spend a hour chugging along in search of elephants. Suddenly the excitement levels go through the roof as we see a huge bull elephant lumbering down the road towards us. Everyone scrambles to get a view/picture and our driver reverses to give it space. This amazing animal is revered in Thailand and we are awe stuck. It gets 10 m away and then turns into the jungle taking trees down in its wake.
We sink a Chang that night thinking of you - what an animal.
We had a brilliant trip and if you come this way - Khao Yai National Park and Greenleaf trips are both highly recommended. What a day.
A large shiny truck rolls up and a chap jumps out, welcomes us and we are away. As we pass through the huge wooden gates it reminds us of the film Jurassic Park. The next 10 hrs are spent aboard the truck rounding mountainous hairpins through the jungle roads.
The day was fabulous and the guide Lek was knowledgeable and passionate about nature. The nuts and bolts of it are, we saw macaque monkeys (babies clinging on), beautiful birds of all hues (using Lek's telescope) including drongoes and bee-catchers, lizards and water dragons, deer and bird eating spiders - all on our way to the hike! The hike itself was about to begin when Lek warned us that this trek was the location where 3 weeks earlier a French woman had been bitten by a crocodile -eeer scary!!!! He then went on to explain that the woman deserved it as she got too close trying to take a selfie with it?????
Less than 5 minutes in to the hike Lek stopped and squatted down scanning the plants and we all hung around thinking about Crocs when Lek exclaimed 'Got it'. We crowded around and got up close and personal with a pit viper - Thailand's most poisonous snake. If you have watched the BBC series Wild Thailand you will know the cameraman took 2 weeks to get the perfect shot of this snake - good work Lek, 10 mins and snapped.
The hike continues through forest/jungle down to a small river and we are all worrying about crocs. After 10 minutes of passing 'No Swimming Beware of Crocodiles' signs we see one sunbathing on the opposite bank, 2 m long and prehistoric. OMG! I believe they say.
We move on as the hike continues and one of our party almost brushes onto a another pit viper. I get as close as I can (dare) and snap the same shot as the BBC cameraman (well almost).
After lunch we get back in the truck and tour the park hoping to see a wild elephants as dusk approaches.
By now we have seen way more wildlife than anyone could have expected and Lek has been an amazing guide. Unfortunately for us his magic is not working as we spend a hour chugging along in search of elephants. Suddenly the excitement levels go through the roof as we see a huge bull elephant lumbering down the road towards us. Everyone scrambles to get a view/picture and our driver reverses to give it space. This amazing animal is revered in Thailand and we are awe stuck. It gets 10 m away and then turns into the jungle taking trees down in its wake.
We sink a Chang that night thinking of you - what an animal.
We had a brilliant trip and if you come this way - Khao Yai National Park and Greenleaf trips are both highly recommended. What a day.
- comments
Karen Those crocs look close. Really enjoying your blog guys. Getting me through our damp grey January xx
karenhym Your day in the National Park brings back happy memories of our trip last year. I feel your excitement and your fear! Experiences never to be missed. X
helensimm thank you for all your blogs what a trip . M+D
Alex and Kirstin Ok, you are taking the [email protected] with the massage references now, it not fair, its not fair its not fair!!! It looks and sounds amazing had to laugh at the woman taking a selfie with the snake!! Think I would have ran from a croc sighting. Great blog keep it up
david142 They were! pretty scary stuff. Glad the blog is getting you through winter. Back on Saturday.XX----Original message----
david142 Sorry, it was a croc she took the selfie with - keep up guys.I do apologise for the amount of massage references but as it's coming to the end of our trip we are winding down and need a few before we come home - SORRY!!!!!!!! xxxx----Original message----
david142 So glad you are both enjoying the blog, there are a few more entries to come. Xx----Original message----
david142 You said it Karen; glad you're enjoying the blog. You must let me know where you went?----Original message----