The boat cost 1700 Baht but can be shared up to 10 people. Only difficult part was getting the people since they did not organized shared boat so one needed to approach and ask random strangers if they wanted to share.
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| Chiew Lam Lake - Khao Sok National Park |
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| The guide boats going out into Chiew Lam Lake |
The majority of people seams to already had a group tour booked, coming in directly by Van and busses and straight onto the boat with their groups organized. Local Thai tourist comes in the big pick up trucks with big families so they just paid and load up immediately. The lone and stranded travelers like me trying their luck was quite rare.
I waited nearly an hour and finally found a couple from Germany who were also looking to share the expensive cost of the boat. 10 minute later another girl from Belgium came and we were set with four people bringing down the cost to 425 baht per person for the boat.
It was really by sheer luck that these people turn up. Me riding without much thought trying to wing it at Chiew Lan, the German couple (Tobias & Alah) riding a rented scooter from Khao Lak also trying by luck and the Belgium girl (Mimi) also riding a rented scooter from Phuket without any research other than the location of this beautiful Chiew Lan Lake in Khao Sok national park.
Boat ride was 2 hours and it was pretty simple. Boat out .... cruise all around and the pit stop at one of the floating resorts for a swim then back to the pier.
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| The Little Guilin in Chiew Lam Lake |
The sky blue aquamarine color of the lake with beautiful backdrop of limestone rock formation sticking out of the water was really a sight to see and if it were cheaper, a stay in one of those unique floating bungalow set with personal Kayaks for exploration would be so amazing but I was really reluctant to spend the money and it was really really costly to stay overnight.
Thing is, the cheapest tour was only 2 hours but that barely touches the fringe of the lake which is very large. I would say this was one of the most best preserved eco retreat yet easily assessable that I have ever encountered. Price was steep to stay overnight and I guess it was warranted. If I was not on the budget, definitely would have rented the more expensive floating bungalow and head out.
During Swimming ... I carelessly jumped into the water forgetting about my glasses. The moment I hit the water I knew the glasses came off and franticly trying to catch it not knowing where it was before it sinks to the bottom of the lake yield no luck.
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| Floating Bungalows along Chiew Lam Lake |
Total cost of this minor pit stop in Chiew Lan lake ... 425 Baht for boat ride, 300 baht for national park entrance fee and one very expensive spectacle.
Khao Sok National Park.
Riding on I stopped at Khao Sok National Park for a night. This place greatly remind me of Taman Negara in Malaysia with the self jungle trials walks and pristine virgin jungle and ice cool rivers during a hot day.
Definitely one of those hidden gems ... and not so touristy as beaches. For a long term traveler like me .. this was like haven for a secluded escape for a few weeks. But then again I had a clock ticking on Bluey's permit to remain in Thailand hence one night was all I had and headed back on the road towards Phuket to meet up with cuz.
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| Khao Sok National Park |
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| Bang Hua Rad - River Outpost in Khao Sok National Park |
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| Khao Sok National Park |
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| Khao Sok National Park |
Traveled on: Apr 2019
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