Bamboo Rafting

An early start to the day. Up at 6.30am we are going Bamboo rafting, a trip to a waterfall and a  turtle sanctuary. The tour van picks us up, It is a very nice Toyota people carrier. The courier is called Robert and the driver Peter. Into KhaoLac town center and down to a very nice hotel complex for more guests. They are a married couple with a 2 year old girl and Mum and Dad, we discover they are Romanians but have lived in the UK since 2003. So off we go to the river. This company pride themselves in operating small groups and being there first. Sure enough we are the first three rafts on the river. We were told to bring swimming costumes and a change of clothes. The Dame and Duke are on one raft. Not quite what they imagined. You just sit on two bamboo poles and the river is not like the Cherwell in Oxford it is fast flowing with small rapids. The water comes up between the bamboo poles so immediately get wet rears.

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Our boat is steered by a lovely guy and he points out three poisonous snakes in trees above our heads on the way. Fortunately sleeping peacefully.

Rounding a bend in the river someone is standing in the water. Wondering if it was a hitchhiker, as we approach it’s a girl with a camera, “smile” At the finish you get some fruit a drink and yes can purchase a lovely framed picture.

Onto the waterfall. Again only two other people there. Very nice waterfall with and crystal clear water in which you can swim, there are also some very big carp and many smaller fish. For 10 Bhat you can purchase a packet of fish food, no wonder they are so big.

Now it’s off to the Turtle Sanctuary. We arrive and it’s in a Naval Base. This time we are not alone many tour vans, but not too bad. They are doing a fantastic job rearing Turtles from eggs and releasing them when they can fend for themselves. The turtle numbers had dropped so much but they are now increasing again. So their efforts are proving successful. They also care for injured and sick turtles. The biggest turtle species can grow to 2 m long and is now very rare. Our guide Robert was very excited to show us a video of one on the beach at Khao Lak only last week. All hunting in Thailand is illegal, it’s good to see they are really making an effort to protect the wildlife. At lunchtime we are dropped back at our base, the others continue on to an Elephant Sanctuary.

Quick change and a walk down to the beach. The walk takes about 20 minutes we are following signs for “ Thai bar” and boy is it hot. Finally get to the beach. Thai Bar is run by a couple of young guys, they are heavily into Bob Marley music and the bar is very rustic and has Rastafarian colors. Right on the beach perfect.

Lunch was good. After we walk along the sand which goes on and on with only a handful of people on it and go for a swim. Lovely warm water and no floating rubbish. Storm Clouds are gathering so we head back to Thai Bar for ‘one for the road’. Unfortunately there has been a power cut, beer a bit warm and no Bob Marley, lovely people though.

Tonight after yesterday’s rain a few Mossies around, including one in our room, the Duke is missing his fly swat, the Dame tells him to get down off the dressing table. Enough Mossi hunting lets go eat.

Down to a night market, this one is within walking distance of our hotel, though Walking along the busy road in the dark is a bit hairy. This market is much smaller than the other night market, but also a lot cheaper. Again all cocktails from 60-90 baht. After a drink we decide to visit ‘The Jokers’ Kebab stall, yes he appears here too. Kebab not bad. Then on to The Meeting Place bar. Owned by two young guys and a girl. The two guys are excellent guitarists and singers. One prefers C&W and the other classic blues all acoustic. Not many people in the audience, real shame. They are still going at 11 but we have to go. Great evening.