Thailand: Ratchaprapa DamKhao Sok National Park

After a night with not much sleep because of the high humidity, I was not really in the mood for a traditional spicy Thai breakfast, so opted for some French toast, fresh fruit and coffee.  T’was a good idea… there’d be plenty of occasions I was sure when the only option would be a spicy Asian breakfast with no light options.

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The aim for the day was to travel by mini bus to Ratchaprapa dam in NP Khao Sok and from there to take a boat cruise to a cave system.

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Morning mist, hence the name of our lodgings, hung over the karst mountains that form a dramatic backdrop for the Resort’s dining room. Not a bad view for breakfast!

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The Ratchaprapa Dam was built so hydro-electricity could be produced.  Once at the dam we boarded long narrow boats for a cruise.

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The dam is a popular tourist destination.

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Another dramatic backdrop.

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The bow of our wooden boat was decorated with colourful ribbons.

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The surrounding mountains have been heavily eroded over the millennia.

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Some parts of the steep slopes have collapsed, forming caves.

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Dense tropical forest has established itself on the lower slopes.

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Where parts of the soft rock have given way, the steep sides form dramatic openings.

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It was a magical cruise.

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Some trees have inevitably been lost to the waters of the dam.

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Yours truly enjoying the day.

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Tropical growth hung on grimly to the steep sides of pinnacles of rock..

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A couple of fishermen’s huts stood looking rather lonely at the head of a small bay. Here, we were able to clamber off our boats onto the ‘beach’ for a bit of a walk.

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I could see our boat more clearly once on shore.

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It was good to get out, stretch our legs and look back at the way we’d come.

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A short walk allowed me time to look for small animals and flowers.

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An unknown shrubby plant.

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A bracket fungus growing on a fallen dead branch.

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Tiny flowers are hidden within the colourful bracts of this member of the ginger family.

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After our leg stretch, we climbed back on board to be taken to the next part of our cruise… to explore some caves.  More of that anon.

David

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