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Published: August 20th 2008
So, I think my last entry we were headed to the Khoa Sok National Park and very excited. Well, it turned out to be a different story than the sugarplums I had dancing in my head. We arrived as the bus driver dropped us off on the highway (packs and all) at the end of the 2 km road leading to the park. Lucky for us there were a bunch of vultures (taxi drivers) waiting for us. The bus driver was nice enough to honk his horn repeatedly to alert the buzzards of the fresh meat he was about to drop off. We decided to walk anyway and found a nice guest house that wasn't for "nature lovers" which meant a mattress on a wood floor, a barn door latched and weaved reeds for walls. Don't get me wrong we both like nature but I would have happily snuggled into a tent before sleeping here. We went to a restaurant and I ordered a small noodle vegetable soup which turned into a bowl of Top Ramen. I tried squinting at it hoping it was authentic Thai food but as a staple in college I know my Top Ramen when I see
it (and on our way home we actually did see it for sale at the convenient store next to the restaurant). After dinner I was really in the mood for a frat party, but we decided to go to bed early. Not too early to notice a 2 foot by 2 foot hole in our bathroom ceiling. Wow, how did we miss that when checking the room. We were tired so we settled into our bed covered with mosquito netting and went to sleep. Around 10 o'clock we were awaken by a hollowing, gulping sort of drawn out animal call that happened to be right above us. This beast ran back and forth in the ceiling above our heads; its call echoing on our bathroom walls. Only a door (that we couldn't remember if it was shut or not) protected us. Oh yeah and the extra mosquito net I wore wrapped around my head along with my headlamp that was already strapped to my head just in case something like this would happen. Laura did not fall short by any means, she produced her swiss army knife from under her pillow as she sat up and said, "what the f*c%
is that?" We never did find out what it was, but I imagine it shaking its red rump at us still when I close my eyes to go to sleep.
Luckily for us we spent the next 4 night on Railay Beach. It was amazing, relaxing, paradise. We spent our days on the beach, hiking up cliffs, exploring caves and watching people climb the limestone cliffs. We made friends with an Australian couple and had a blast getting to know them. Luckily for us, this place was not completely taken over by tourist, but there was a lot of construction happening when we were there. We are now in Malaysia and will be heading out to the night markets soon (I can smell the mystery meat sticks already). More on Malaysia later, but goodbye to Thailand for good. It was a great place to begin!
Travel Info Railay
Money: Exchange money before you go, the rate is low and you have to pay for each bill you exchange.
GH: Ton Sai is pretty much the only cheap area-limited water, electricity.
Coffee: The Stone Restaurant had great coffee filtered in big cups. The best coffee so far on my
Beach
The guy behind laura is really enjoying life and maybe a little moretrip was at this little shop between the rock restaurant and the stone bar. Picture of the guy grinding the beans.
Drinks: I think it was called Princess Hotel but it has fresh fish dinner out front they grill and they have a great Happy Hour utnil 8. Railay East
Eatting: Great Indian place up a flight of very steep stairs past the princess hotel. Railay East
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Kim Jaeger
non-member comment
Yikes!!
I have heard about those holler monkeys...scarry! Also, I have never had thai food, so I will wait for your return to try the authentic version, before I get used to the americanized style!