"Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels". When Josie set off into the jungle with her partner Arj to join Deaw on a 3 day jungle trek, she wasn't wearing heels (to my knowledge) ..but she was carrying the additional weight of a rather large watermelon. Does that remind you of another film?
Josie and Arj had been having a relaxing holiday in Ko Samui and before returning to Australia, wanted to do something a little different in Thailand. They opted for the remote 3 day/ 2 night jungle trek, testing at the best of times but add to that the crushing heat that comes with April in Thailand, which leeches all energy from your body, they had the challenge they were seeking. Being vegetarian, Arj is a great lover of eating fruit- and with Klang Dong's abundant fruit markets he was well placed on the night before to stock up for the trip. They returned to the hut that first evening laden with mango, bananas and of course, the watermelon. They wouldn't go hungry.
Three days later, they returned, bags noticeably lighter and still smiling. They had been accompanied on the trip by three rangers, who as well as ensuring their safety, showed them several tracks of wild animals (elephant, bear, tiger (?) and also picked edible weeds to supplement dinner. It is the rangers that add to the experience of the remote jungle, for not only are you getting the jungle 'to yourself' as it were, well yourself and a few thousand other critters, but you get to see these men whose lives are intertwined with the jungle. They spend their days, and nights, surveying it, maintaining it and protecting the animals within it, from those who see not beauty in wildlife, but merely a price tag. Their pay is often low and, in some of the smaller national parks, the pay is infrequent. Yet, these rangers are essential to the future of Thailand's wildlife. We hope that, by giving them opportunities to supplement their income,they will continue to do the work they do and not be tempted to 'look the other way' when poachers infringe on the park.
Josie and Arj had been having a relaxing holiday in Ko Samui and before returning to Australia, wanted to do something a little different in Thailand. They opted for the remote 3 day/ 2 night jungle trek, testing at the best of times but add to that the crushing heat that comes with April in Thailand, which leeches all energy from your body, they had the challenge they were seeking. Being vegetarian, Arj is a great lover of eating fruit- and with Klang Dong's abundant fruit markets he was well placed on the night before to stock up for the trip. They returned to the hut that first evening laden with mango, bananas and of course, the watermelon. They wouldn't go hungry.
Three days later, they returned, bags noticeably lighter and still smiling. They had been accompanied on the trip by three rangers, who as well as ensuring their safety, showed them several tracks of wild animals (elephant, bear, tiger (?) and also picked edible weeds to supplement dinner. It is the rangers that add to the experience of the remote jungle, for not only are you getting the jungle 'to yourself' as it were, well yourself and a few thousand other critters, but you get to see these men whose lives are intertwined with the jungle. They spend their days, and nights, surveying it, maintaining it and protecting the animals within it, from those who see not beauty in wildlife, but merely a price tag. Their pay is often low and, in some of the smaller national parks, the pay is infrequent. Yet, these rangers are essential to the future of Thailand's wildlife. We hope that, by giving them opportunities to supplement their income,they will continue to do the work they do and not be tempted to 'look the other way' when poachers infringe on the park.
As well as the 3 day tour, we have also had the pleasure this month, of taking American teachers Anne and Reid for a one day trip into the jungle. The day before they were due to go, a big rain- the first in several months - had descended upon the national park, clearing the dust, alleviating the heat and leaving the air in the jungle fresh and invigorating. Living in the heart of Bangkok- this fresh air was appreciated by our guests, who were amazed that such a difference in climate and atmosphere can be found such a short distance from the capital.
The day was spent at a relaxed pace and the animals didn't disappoint. Before even reaching the park headquarters we were given 'demonstrations' by gibbons swinging through the tree tops- calling out to mark their territory- and by a male great hornbill, returning to the nest to feed it's young.
On the trek itself we saw plenty of evidence of elephants, whilst broken honeycomb at the base of a tree gave testament to a recent visit of the sweet toothed sun-bear.
The day was spent at a relaxed pace and the animals didn't disappoint. Before even reaching the park headquarters we were given 'demonstrations' by gibbons swinging through the tree tops- calling out to mark their territory- and by a male great hornbill, returning to the nest to feed it's young.
On the trek itself we saw plenty of evidence of elephants, whilst broken honeycomb at the base of a tree gave testament to a recent visit of the sweet toothed sun-bear.
At one point on the trek Deaw came to an abrupt halt, holding his hand out to stop us going any further. He quietly pointed at a small tree. Yeah, it's a tree I thought. It took a while for my eyes to adjust and see what he had seen. Wrapped around a branch, surely only just big enough to support it's body weight, was a bright green snake- the highly venomous, white-lipped pit viper. In the daytime, these snakes are usually just sleeping or are very lazy to move in the heat. It is at night when they come to life. However, following the previous day's rain, the sky was overcast and so Deaw feared that it may be a little more active than usual. Hence, we cautiously viewed it form a distance.
Reid is interested in biology and throughout the trek could be found stooping over a small leaf or piece of wood, inspecting some insect. There are a wealth of them to be found here in the jungle, in all shapes and sizes but perhaps the most interesting one of the day, were the tank spider- the crab of spiders and a strange caterpillar that could easily be mistaken for a prop from the Avatar scenery,
Reid is interested in biology and throughout the trek could be found stooping over a small leaf or piece of wood, inspecting some insect. There are a wealth of them to be found here in the jungle, in all shapes and sizes but perhaps the most interesting one of the day, were the tank spider- the crab of spiders and a strange caterpillar that could easily be mistaken for a prop from the Avatar scenery,
Small caterpillars- the individual srtands move when you put your hands nearby.
On the left is the honeycomb we found at the base of the tree. On the right- fresh bear claw marks on the tree, where the bear had climbed to get his sugar fix.
And what better way to finish off a day in the jungle, but a swim in the waterfalls? As it is the end of dry season, the waterfalls are at their least impressive. The famous Heaw Sewatt waterfalls usually a white torrent has reduced to a small trickle. I would fancy Leo DiCaprio's chances if he jumped of it now. Fortunately for us, Deaw knew of this watering hole, where after 1km of hacking through the overgrowth we were able to cool off and relax in our own personal spa. Very nice indeed.
I said in the title that this hot, dry month can be surprisingly wet. Well by that I meant the Thai Buddhist new year- or songkran as it is known over here. From the 13th-15th April every year a madness descends on Thailand, where to stay dry you must stay inside. Venture outside and you accept the inevitability of a good soaking. It doesn't matter that you're on a bicycle, wearing your best clothes or even carrying a mobile phone- you are fair game.
This year I stayed relatively dry, but was also visited by some of the students I tutor as part of a more restrained custom of the water festival. A white chalk paste is put on your face and scented water is poured on your hands. There are many parts to the Songkran festival- the one most seen is the waterfights in the street, so it was interesting to get a different perspective this year.
This year I stayed relatively dry, but was also visited by some of the students I tutor as part of a more restrained custom of the water festival. A white chalk paste is put on your face and scented water is poured on your hands. There are many parts to the Songkran festival- the one most seen is the waterfights in the street, so it was interesting to get a different perspective this year.
Deaw taking part in a traditional Songkran custom with some of my students.
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