Thailand 2024 Tag 14+15

After a delicious breakfast (with fried bananas) we drove to Ton Chongfa Waterfall today. Lowland Tyrolean Heath really had fun, I don't really like hiking in Germany. So it was 20 minutes uphill downhill in 30° and fairly high humidity, but clouds in Khao Lak National Park.

The short hike was rewarded by a wonderful waterfall, where there were very few tourists at the beginning.

Egg was quite willing to take a few more steps, which in this case was an advantage for each of us.

One because he was able to explore nature and get up close and personal with snakes (https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/triangle_keelback.htm) and ants. One because she had a little chat and a fish spa at the refreshing waterfall.

The way back was more like this: Oh, a lizard, oh, a butterfly, oh, another lizard... Youth (Egg) researches nature.

I have to admit, the occasional lizard or lizard was new and interesting, but not so important now that I'm hungry. (If hungry, then hungry!)

After briefly considering where we would go out to eat, we chose a nearby restaurant that was recommended to us (My friend, https://maps.app.goo.gl/7rVDxp6u4iFZmbLSA). And it was worth the recommendation, rarely had such good Pad Thai and good Tom Kha Gai. The watermelon and lime shakes were also great.

We bridged the afternoon with an afternoon nap or with a cool beer in the pool. In the early evening we should go to Small Sandy Beach (https://maps.app.goo.gl/FxV7mLwjybbaLkZ79), as this is part of the Khao Lak National Park and is included in the entrance fee to the waterfall. Unfortunately we were unlucky and arrived 20 minutes too late to be able to take the nature trail to get to the beach. It's closed from half past four and costs a hefty fine.

It was also difficult to get access to the beach further along the road, so we first drove to get gas. It's easier to think with a full tank. And with a small, cold chocolate you are far less annoyed. Long live 7-Eleven* everywhere.

In order to see something of the sunset, Egg found a way to the beach, where we promptly witnessed the end of a romantic wedding on the beach.

The sunset was also beautiful and, thanks to the relatively empty beach, also forgiving. Afterwards we went straight back to My Friend (lunch restaurant). The selection became a little spicier - there was spicy Laab Gai as a starter (it was damn spicy) and Pad Prik (chicken in fried red curry paste with a dash of coconut milk) for eggs. I had Tom Kha Gai, which only tasted spicy after the starter.

We then spent the evening packing and sorting photos.

On Wednesday we continued our journey to the island of Ko Phayam. We were driven to the bus stop and waited 'only' 50 minutes. The bus was supposed to leave at 9:40am and arrived around 10:15am. Tip: find out beforehand which bus is running, take an egg with you that will wait in peace, even if the bus isn't on time. It has its advantages. ;-) Especially when there isn't even a notice or label. There's a little yellow house on the side of the road, and that's it.

Anyway, after a good three hour drive we arrived in Ranong. From here we should continue by speedboat to Ko Phayam.

Somehow I'm always a little naive and suppress certain things, so this time I'm putting it in writing: it often happens that the taxi drivers are so close to the bus door that it's difficult to get through and everyone wants to take you everywhere immediately.

Egg and I had already discussed on the bus that we would rather take the songthaew to the pier. Luckily, we had to get our backpacks at the end of the bus and there was one of these funny vehicles right next to it. We're also not talking about the fact that it's built more for smaller people and our driver was basically blind. We arrived at the pier in Ranong, just in time to board the next speedboat. So, everything is good.

The crossing was very quiet and pleasant for a speedboat; my last experience with such a boat was rather so-so (I was probably very pale at the time). On Ko Phayam you have a similar game to the one at the bus stop in Ranong, but the prices are clearly advertised depending on the distance from the hotel and you don't have to negotiate too much. Our first impression of the streets - it will be fun with the scooter, but everything is doable.

Our accommodation is again right by the sea and has excellent food and home-brewed beer. So there is something for everyone again.

We'll see what beautiful things the next few days bring.

Small conclusion about Khao Lak:

Lots of hotels, lots (too many?) tourists

The night market is more attraction for the tourists than a night market

It's loud and colorful on the main street and full of all kinds of Thai restaurants

Every second shop is a tattoo shop, every fourth is a cannabis shop (although you can smell it surprisingly little)

The amount of tourists completely overwhelmed me

However, I would give the place a second chance, as it is quieter a bit outside and you can also find local shops here and there.

And the nature around it is really beautiful, even for lowland Tyroleans like me

The Happy Snapper (https://maps.app.goo.gl/oWncnSoKxzDF7gMN7) has a lot to offer for me: very good cocktails, good live music, great ambience. (The owner Pikat Srisung is a gifted bassist and a celebrity in Thailand)

*7-eleven

Is a retail group and has over 12,000 branches in Thailand alone (~57,000 worldwide), you can get all sorts of things for everyday life here, but also convenience food.

Everything is there for when you're thirsty (soft drinks, tea, water, etc.) or for a beer in the evening or a little chocolate milk to relieve stress. Forgot shampoo - 7-Eleven.

A little note for travelers to (New) Thailand

The deodorant that has proven successful for us is Vimere (https://www.via-nova-naturprodukte.de/de/vimere-deo-creme/), which is a deodorant cream with a long-term effect. They advertise up to 10 days. Here in Thailand I would go down to 2-3 days. You still sweat, but you don't smell bad.

Cooling body powder, absolute game changer. There's always a little breeze and the stuff is really worth its weight in gold (it's available in 7-eleven, among other places)

Always have wet wipes and disinfectant gel/spray with you, that's better. You always need them somehow.

Always have at least one water on the man or woman

Drying laundry outside works well when the sun is shining, otherwise it becomes difficult due to the high humidity

Speaking of humidity, some of the houses/buildings look quite shabby, but that is also due to the high humidity. Don't get irritated, if it's really rotten, you'll notice it very quickly.

Garbage: I think it's a sensitive topic. In my opinion, a lot of things are still packaged in plastic bags, cups or anything else. However, that is my subjective feeling, things have gotten better. You can still find many small piles of rubbish on the side of the road (but you can also find it in Europe). In my opinion, these have also become fewer and smaller. It's going in the right direction.

So, if you've managed to read this far, write a WhatsApp message if you actually read everything here. Enthusiastic reactions have been pretty rare so far. We need to know whether all the typing here is worth it.

Triangle fish snake https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/triangle_keelback.htm