Readme before you journey
Two Weeks Ago, Another Trip to the South!
I flew down to the south again two weeks ago! I was super excited because I was going to meet up with my old friend, Kai, from Malaysia.
Ever since Kai said he was free in September and suggested we go on a trip somewhere, I knew exactly where I wanted to go: Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake. This trip was also going to be our first time driving ourselves around.
We spent four days and three nights starting from Phuket, driving through scenic roads to Khao Sok. We then spent a night on a floating raft, which was incredibly relaxing. It was a far cry from the usual adrenaline-pumping activities we do. This time, we just sat around, chatted, took beautiful photos, and truly relaxed.
It was the perfect definition of a vacation.
Check out the vlog first, and then read on for more details below!
[Vlog embedded here]
Day 1
We started driving from Patong, where my two friends had arrived the night before. (We rented a car from Phuket A Car.) The drive was easy and enjoyable. We originally planned to stop at Samet Nangshe, but the weather wasn't cooperating. It was raining quite heavily, so we decided to skip it.
We came across a scenic viewpoint along the way, so we decided to stop by.
The viewpoint is called Nang Hong and is located in Phang Nga province. We had to drive up a hill to reach it.
The view was a bit cloudy, but still very beautiful. There was fog covering the area.
Our First Accommodation: A Million-Dollar View for a Hundred Baht
We arrived at our first accommodation for this trip, located near Khao Sok National Park.
Let me tell you, it was amazing. We paid a mere hundred baht and got a view worth a million.
Our budget is limited, so we opted for a single room in a shared house.
Stepping out onto the balcony, you'll be greeted by breathtaking mountain views!
Swim in the pool while enjoying the mountain view.
Let's go for a walk and take some photos.
Waiting in the lobby for dinner.
And then we claimed a table with a full view of the mountains.
They also had happy hour, so we each ordered a drink, each a different color.
DAY 2
This is the view in the morning.
I woke up early to watch the sunrise, but it was raining, so I went back to sleep.
When I came down again, the sun was shining and welcoming me to the morning.
The accommodation in the picture is a traditional Thai house, suitable for families.
Most of the guests I saw were foreigners.
Waking up to a beautiful view is always a great way to start the day.
A word of caution: save the pancakes for last, as the honey here is potent.
My friend and I learned this the hard way when we drizzled our pancakes with honey, only to be swarmed by a horde of bees. Lesson learned!
After driving for almost an hour, we arrived at the Ratchaprapha Dam.
It was time to say goodbye to Fern, as she had to return to work. Feeling a little lonely, we were left with just the two of us.
For this trip, I chose a package that wasn't too expensive, so I stayed at Pa Nang Prai, Cheow Lan Dam.
I booked it through Facebook. When I arrived, I registered and received my park entrance ticket. Then, the people I contacted picked me up and took me to the boat.
What surprised me and made it worth the money was that the boat I took to the floating house was a private boat tour just for us! It was just the two of us, so we had the whole boat to ourselves. We took selfies, photos, and enjoyed the moment to the fullest because the captain stopped for us to take photos whenever we wanted.
The captain who took care of us throughout the trip was Mr. Thao (I'm not sure if he's old or just the same age as me, haha). He was very funny and I consider him the best driver ever. He kept cracking jokes and even taught Kai some Thai.
I'm sorry, Kai, we don't have a drone, so this is the best I could do. 5555555
Halfway through the journey, the sky began to darken.
When visiting the dam during the rainy season, don't forget to bring a raincoat.
If you don't have one, you can buy one at the pier for 40 baht (it will cost 10 baht more if you buy it on the raft).
Guilin of Thailand in a gloomy atmosphere.
As we approached the raft, the landscape transitioned from typical tropical mountains to a stunning karst-like terrain reminiscent of Guilin. It felt like stepping into another world, with its breathtaking beauty. At this point, mobile phone signals were lost, allowing for complete immersion in the natural surroundings. Enjoy the wilderness to the fullest!
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The original text is empty. There is nothing to translate.
Our accommodations are cozy, not too big but not too small either. You can sleep comfortably and relax while listening to the sound of water.
Crystal clear water flows cool, revealing the fish swimming freely.
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The activity on the raft involved swimming in the reservoir.
At first, the weather was still good, but we talked and gossiped about life, philosophy, science, and many other things that we would not normally talk about if we had our phones with us.
We dipped our feet in the water, looked at the mountains, the water in the reservoir, and the boats passing by...
The environment is perfect for contemplation and understanding the truths of the world.
We talked so much that we didn't go swimming, and it started raining.
The three meals were delicious, with a mix of southern Thai and general dishes. The flavors were good, although a bit spicy. Kai especially loved the seafood dipping sauce, and couldn't stop talking about it.
And this is the weather from the afternoon onwards. It has rained at least 5 times.
It rains and stops, the view alternates between heavy clouds
and white fog that covers everything. We were talking and thought we were in Silent Hill.
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I fell and fell, and I missed the trip to see the sunset.
Up to now, we still don't know if there is a typhoon landing in the Philippines and going to Hong Kong.
If I knew, I would definitely be more panicked. I really have to thank you for not having a phone signal. 55555
Brother Lao said it's okay, there's still tomorrow. I promise to take you to see the sunrise.
The Beauty of Khao Sok in the Rain
The next morning, we were awakened by the sound of rain. With dwindling hopes of seeing the sunrise, we found a different kind of beauty in the rain-soaked Khao Sok National Park. While we may not have had the clear skies others enjoyed, the rainy season offered a unique opportunity for reflection.
During a brief break in the rain, we decided to visit Khao Sam Kler. As we set off, the rain began to fall again, but it wasn't heavy. We donned our raincoats, hoping to at least catch a glimpse of the viewpoint.
As we approached Khao Sam Kler, the rain intensified. On our return to the raft house, everything was shrouded in white, obscuring even the shadows of the mountains.
Despite the rain, the experience was unforgettable. The lush greenery, the sound of raindrops, and the mist-covered mountains created a serene and introspective atmosphere. The rain forced us to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and find beauty in the unexpected.
"Little B, do you remember the way? How are we going to get back? I can't see anything." - This was Uncle Lao's joke.
We, still unaware that the rain was caused by a typhoon, laughed along.
Upon reaching the shore, the staff informed us that they would take us back to the other side at 8 am.
If the rain didn't stop, they would wait another half hour. If it still didn't stop, they would send us back safely regardless.
Because it probably wouldn't stop raining anytime soon.
In the end, we arrived back on the shore safely, with notifications popping up everywhere.
We even read the news about the typhoon and looked at each other with… We survived! TT
After braving the rain at the dam, we also braved the rain on the drive back to Phuket.
After checking into our accommodation, we headed to Nai Yang Beach to relax. The waves were incredibly high, so be cautious and avoid venturing into the water.
Although it's not Mai Khao Beach where you can see airplanes clearly, you can still see airplanes here.
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The sky was overcast, and I was worried that it would rain again. The waves were also choppy, and they kept chasing us. We didn't stay until sunset. (But on the way back, we saw a glimpse of the sunset. Sad.)
It seems we must say goodbye. Even when I boarded the plane to return, it was still raining. Imagine that. I happened to be sitting by the window and saw the terrifying waves crashing into the shore. I think I'll come to the sea during the hot season next time. I escaped the rain in Bangkok only to encounter rain in the south.
Overall, it was an amazing experience, surpassing even the best tourist attractions or accommodations.
Having good friends who understand and support you is the most important part of any trip.
They make every trip meaningful. :)
This concludes my trip report. See you again soon!
Total expenses were approximately 6,000 baht, including airfare and car rental (excluding miscellaneous food expenses).
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A girl goes there.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 8:59 PM
