After losing some members of our previous group and gaining five new ones (with some great street food, clubbing, swimming, sunbathing and a massage in between) we made our way over night from Bangkok, south. Arriving at 5am after a serious lack of sleep and a busy day ahead in Khao Sok National Park, I was dubious as to how it would turn out. But my reservations proved to be unfounded as I had one of my favourite days to date.
Our first stop was a local market, where our group 'CEO', Touch, showed us the local cuisine - different in many ways to northern food - and brought us some yummy breakfast pastry-type things.
We then headed to Ratchaprapha Dam to start our tour of Cheow Lan Lake, the beauty of which is indescribable. Jagged limestone cliffs, emerald green water, wildlife-rich rainforest and intriguing hidden caves.
After exploring the Pra Kay Pelch cave and finding the resident bats, we made our way past the various islands to a floating lodge to borrow kayaks, have a swim and eat lunch. After a good few hours taking in the scenery, we headed back to where we began our lake tour and ice cream in hand ventured on in our open-back truck to the monkey temple.
Touch had promised we'd see monkeys and irrespective of the fact we'd already seen one on our tour of the lake we were still over-excited to find the monkeys were tempted down from the mountains by our stash of peanuts.
Some serious cuteness later and it was on to our accommodation for the night, sweet little bungalows and tree houses right on the edge of the national park. We had a nice, albeit somewhat reserved evening (only two vodkas with dinner) before a much-deserved early night.
Now it's on to the islands to conclude my adventure in the same fashion it began five months ago; on the beach and scuba diving. Bring it on.
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