Arrival In Kaeng Krachan National Park

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After 16 hours of travelling, yesterday I arrived at Kaeng Krachan National Park, and was shown to my desk at the WWF office at the Park Headquarters. My training at Openmind came in handy as this morning I had to introduce myself in Thai, to the park staff, at their early morning meeting.

This weekend, I will be taken around the park to see some of the tourist attractions, & meet some of the staff. I have also been given a class of Thai University students, who are completeing their "inturnship" here at the park. I have been asked to give them English lessons, but this will be challenging as teaching more advanced English has not been part of my experience so far, & I have no one to help me.

Last night I had dinner with the park Supperintendant, a famous Thai Ornothologist & some of the park staff. The park is famous for being the largest NP in Thailand, and having the most bio diversity including: Tiger, Leopard, Tapir, Siamese Crocodile.

Some NP issues:

Man Elephant conflict. .

The location of the Karen settlements, one very close to the ‘last’ crocodile habitat.

Subsistence and commercial poaching

KK NP home to many endangered species

Support to Sustainable Community based ECO Tourism

Improve Education and future job Opportunities for village children


I am not sure that I will be able to solve all of these issues in the 3 weeks that I am here, but I will give it a try! ; )

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Photos

Tucked up in the cosy bunk bed!
2nd class, air conditioned, 12 hour journey for £10..... not bad!

Added excitement!
I was awoken at 5am to the sound of a German further up the carriage, shouting & screaming, insulting a female passenger & saying that everyone should be up. I pulled back my curtain & told him to shut up..... which he promptl did. Very annoyed at being woken & unable to get back to sleep, I hatched a cunning plan. I waited about an hour untill he was asleep, and much to the amusement of the rest of the carriage, I got up, pulled back the curtain of his bunk, & screamed in his ear, & told him what I thought. He went absolutely bannanas! I wish I had a video. The other passengers told him to shut up which wound him up even more. I thought he was going to bust a blood vessell! I think I made myself quite a few friends.... and 1 very angry enemy. But it was worth it.

Comments

[mike mclaughlin]

From Mike
I am really getting into your tour blog. The people ,places and things you are reporting on are fascinating . Not sure how you are managing it all and keeping the 'show' on the road but I can't wait for the next installment. It's all going to be bit of anti climax after this tour.

[ST100mph]

Keeping the show on the road!
Hi Mike, it's good to hear from you & I hope all is well back in the land of cheese! The biggest problem I have is getting on the internet as some of the places do not even have telephones. Once I do get internet access, theres not enough time to spend writing the blog. Anyway, I'm glad I've kept you ammused, & I'll try to keep the updates comming as often as possible. Cheers Shaun