Fly, fly, into Cheow Lan Lake.

Hello, this is our 10-day trip. We started here... Chiew Larnnnnnnnn...

We started with a bang, finding round-trip flights for under 700 baht each. What a steal! We booked them immediately. Then, we planned our trip, only to realize that we had booked our return flight for the day after our departure. Oh well, we'll just take a bus back.

Let's begin! Our journey starts at Don Mueang Airport, and after a short flight, we arrive at Surat Thani Airport.

To get to the city, we can take the public bus in front of the airport for only 100 baht.

A short walk from the entrance brought us to our accommodation. The lodging was affordable, costing only 257 baht per person per night for our group of three sharing a single room.

After settling into our accommodation, it was time to indulge in some delicious local cuisine.

Let's hail a songthaew!

Lucky Restaurant (ภัตตาคารลัคกี้) is a famous restaurant in the city center. The food is delicious and the aroma of southern shrimp paste fills the air.

After a satisfying meal, we are now recharged for tomorrow's journey. Good night.

Today, we started our journey by van. We called for a van to pick us up at the hotel and take us to the Khao Sok pier for 150 baht.

Upon arrival, we checked in with the boat and boarded immediately.

When boating in Cheow Lan Lake, it is highly recommended to wear a life jacket due to the significant depth of the water. This safety precaution is crucial for your well-being.

As we sailed along, we were filled with excitement from the moment we boarded the boat. The water was crystal clear, an emerald green that resembled the ocean. The towering mountains were adorned with lush vegetation, and the sunlight filtering through created a breathtaking scene.

Our boat took us to take a picture with Khao Sam Kler.

After admiring the red-tailed tinfoil barbs, we continued our journey to our next destination.

We boarded the floating platform and enjoyed kayaking.

Next, we went up to eat on a floating raft. The food was excellent, plentiful, and incredibly delicious.

We continued our journey by boat to Coral Cave, where we disembarked and continued on foot.

First, buy some cold water, because who knows what's ahead.

Let's start walking now.

The terrain here is a mix of dirt and rocks, with some uphill and downhill sections. It's uneven in places, but there are also some smooth stretches that will get your heart rate up.

As we walked along the trail, we noticed a group of people looking intently at something. Upon closer inspection, we realized they were observing gibbons high up in the treetops. Throughout our journey, we were accompanied by the sounds of nature and the occasional call of animals. We also encountered a multitude of butterflies fluttering around us.

I am a butterfly.

We continued walking until we reached the spot where we would board the raft to the coral cave.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Ready? Let's get on the raft now that you're rested. We'll be there in no time!

We walked a little further and then entered the cave.

The interior of the coral cave is very dark, illuminated only by the guide's flashlight and our phones.

After exploring the Tham Sua Cave, we departed from Khao Sok National Park on the same boat. The total package cost 1,300 baht per person. We called a van to pick us up and return to our accommodation. The van fare remained at 150 baht. After resting in the afternoon, we went for a stroll around the Shrine Market to find some delicious food to eat.

Our culinary journey begins with the fragrant aroma of Pad Thai, infused with the sweet essence of coconut sugar.

Followed by...

With...

And sweet dreams too...

We continued our day with a delicious dim sum breakfast.

Additional information

Khao Sok National Park: A Breathtaking Paradise in Southern Thailand

Nestled within the lush embrace of Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani province lies the majestic Cheow Lan Lake, also known as Ratchaprapha Dam. This stunning reservoir, formed by the majestic limestone karst mountains that rise dramatically from its depths, has earned the well-deserved title of "Thailand's Guilin."

The towering cliffs, adorned with verdant vegetation, create a breathtaking panorama that reflects serenely on the tranquil waters below. Visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquility of this natural wonder by gliding across the lake on traditional long-tail boats or engaging in exhilarating kayaking adventures. The park's diverse ecosystem offers a myriad of activities throughout the year, ensuring an unforgettable experience regardless of the season.

Coral Cave is located in the Ratchaprapha Dam. It is a cave located inside with the same characteristics as a Tham Nam Lod or Tham Thalay. It is a cave with water flowing through it all year round. The inside of the cave is pitch black. There are stalactites and stalagmites. The reason why it is called Coral Cave is because the stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave have small shoots that resemble coral in the sea, as if it were in the ocean. From the initial survey, the strange-shaped stalactites, according to the villagers, indicate that this cave was once under the sea. The various stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave have therefore become like coral. Fossils of single-celled marine animals, approximately 250-400 million years old, have also been found in the limestone, which is believed to have once been an ancient sea of the world. The condition inside the cave is very complete and clean. There is not much bat droppings or musty smell like other caves.

Our trip doesn't end here. This is just 3 days and 2 nights. After breakfast, we will continue our journey to Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, for a 1-night rest. In the morning, we will walk around Kim Yong Market and then take a car to Koh Lipe!

Let's go, my lord, as per this review...

https://readme.me/p/16078