Bankok, Koh Tao and Khao Sok

11th - 25th June 2004

Ju's sister Andrea and her partner Laura flew to Bankok to spend part of their summer holiday in Thailand with us. We met them there and spent a day looking round the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew.

Pretty much as soon as we could we left Bankok and headed south to the island of Koh Tao. Here we found sandy beaches, palm trees (don't sit under them on windy days unless you want a cocunut shaped dent in your head) and wonderful snorkelling.

After a few days on the beach we headed inland to the Khao Sok national park, a large reservoir lake surrounded by jungle. From a boat on the lake we saw hornbills, eagles and kingfishers, and while treking through the jungle we saw lizards and an assortment of weird and wonderful insects. The most amazing bit was a trip through a cave inhabited by bats, spiders, scorpions and crickets. We spent the night in a floating guesthouse by the lake shore.

On our way back to Nong Khai we spent another day in Bankok. This time we visited the "Snake Farm" where venomous snakes are bred so that their venom can be extracted and used to make anti-venom serum. We were able to watch a demonstration of snake handling and even touch a King Cobra and hold a python.

<<< Previous Back to diary index Next >>>

Thailand cycling info