Khao Sok national park

I had the best day best day ever today. After a very long day of traveling from koh sumui via a taxi to a ferry to a bus to another bus to a mini bus to a pick up truck we arrived in khao sok. The oldest living evergreen rain Forrest on the planet, do I had very high hopes. Today lived up to them completely.

We decided to go it on our own for the first day and get the lay of the land. We rented mountain bikes and headed into the park. It was a rocky dirt path which curved through the jungle canopy, with steep climbs and mud pits and plenty of obstacles to conquer. We visited a couple spots to swim and walk along the river before we got to the point where we had to leave our bikes behind.

We set off on foot down narrow paths through the most lush landscape I had ever seen. There wee slips and falls as we climbed over giant tree roots and down steep ravines using jungle vines to brave ourselves. We stopped by every so called waterfall and swimming stop on the map in the search for the perfect location to relax and enjoy the Forrest. We came upon it at the point when I dot think any of us could have made it much farther anyway.

The water was crystal clear, flowing smoothly over the rocks and collecting below in sandy bottomed pools. We explored and swam in the most spectacular setting I have ever seen. The trees rose up hundred of feet around us, the dense canopy parting only briefly where the river split it. The water was cool and refreshing in the thick heat of the Forrest. Everything was perfect.

It was so mesmerizing that we could hardly believe it was already 3:30 and time to head back before the bugs ate us alive. The trek back was challenging after the long and hot day, but as the sun went down, the jungle came alive with the screaming of birds and insects. Things seemed to be moving all around but you could never see anything. As we rode our bikes down the final few miles of path i heard a loud rustling in the bamboo bit far off. I sopped to observe and found 2 black monkeys swinging and climbing through the bamboo. My day was complete.

Sweaty, smelly and filthy, we rode our hikes back to the rainforest resort to shower as change before heading out for some beers and a huge Thai feast. The perfect end to a truly perfect day in paradise.