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Published: June 25th 2007
I spent the weekend with Candida in the biggest national park in Thailand, which spans 3000 kilometers and borders myanmar. The park isn't a real tourist attraction, so you hire a guide for two days who drives you in his truck for an hour up bumpy dirt roads on the side of the mountain. The mountain ranges go as far as the eye can see in a total canopy of crazy green colors. We got to the top for a panoramic view which felt like you were on top of the world. I don't know what it is but the clouds in Thailand are the most amazing of anywhere i've seen in the world. Candida and I took a 5k hike to a waterfall. There are a ton of leeches in Thailand, so you have to carry a knife to flick them off you when they get attached to your legs. My knife was confiscated by Candida after I managed to slash my leg instead of the leech. The waterfalls are all tiered with tons of little mini waterways running down them. Really beautiful. We camped with the guide and his friends, who are all bird watchers. They cooked for us and showed us thier prized photo albums of all the birds they've taken pictures of, which was hysterical. I think they thought we were really funny - 2 tall amazon girls who came into the jungle with no tent, no pants for hiking and no sleeping bags. Not the typical visitor. The guide took us through a beautiful trek deep into the jungle the next day then we met up with our birdwatching friends, who let us use their high tech binoculars to check out all the monkeys and animals. It was really nice to be out of the tourist environment for a weekend. Everyone was wonderful and really wanted to show us why they loved the land so much.
Of course I managed to take a four hour long wrong van on the way home, so don't worry, Benziger's Luck is still alive and thriving. Number one rule of Thailand: it is impossible for any solitary event to occur without at least one mishap. I'm working to get used to that fact. I'm now taking Thai lessons twice a week with a couple teachers from Ayutthaya, which is fun. Also started guitar lessons. We'll see which one actually sticks....
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Danielle's mom
non-member comment
Hello Amy!
The Howards are following your adventures with enthusiasm and envy, as Danielle has provided a link to you via her Peace Corps blog. What a terrific experience you are having! Your travelblog is entertaining and exciting... keep up the flow of information, as you have many 'fans' out here!! Stay well and we hope there will be a reunion of you international 'explorers' in a few years. Robin and Andy Howard