Welcome to the relaxing jungle! By Sam Bavelock. Thailand Summer Program, 2013

Although our last couple of weeks in Thailand did include fun and games, we
were never brought down to our knees nor caught any diseases, thankfully!
From Chaing Mai, we travelled down to Khao Sok International Park, where we
stayed at Our Jungle House in quaint bungalows, with the Sok River and
limestone mountains at our doorstep. Our days were spent outdoors, going
on a lovely, yet leechy, hike through the jungle, tubing down the river,
and swimming.

Moving on from the luxury of stability, we took a long tail boat to a
floating lodge where growing some sea legs could be considered a
requirement. The night safaris, clear starry skies and the Coral Cave
certainly satisfied our expectations of the breath-taking beauty of Khao
Sok National Park.

To conclude the go-go-go overall mentality of our trip, we finally got the
chance to unwind and take it slow at The Sanctuary. Not that getting there
was easy! From the pier, we all piled into a truck. Some of us got the
short end of the stick because our only option of seating was to be shoved
into the bed of the truck with luggage as our packaging, and a long, very
hilly road ahead of us while the others sat comfortably inside the car.
(Can you tell where I was sitting?) Although we didn’t lose anyone on a
bump, the ride definitely gave us a rollercoaster feeling. I for one am
never again going to consider a rotary as the most challenging aspect of
driving.

We made it. I probably would have kissed the ground if I hadn’t noticed the
beach with the clear blue water, sun bathers drinking out of coconuts, and
tans. Which pocket did I pack my bathing suit in!? With the sun hot and the
water cool, everyone eventually found their way to the sea. Due to the lack
of scheduled activities, we all seemed to completely lose the concept of
time during our days at the resort. We did some yoga, sipped a few (okay,
many) smoothies, and contemplated the meaning of tan lines.

Now back in Bangkok, most of us prepare to say our goodbyes and head back
home. We shall take with us stories of personal achievements, bonds made,
knowledge of Thailand and traveling, as well as the lesson of the locals
that nothing is worth time if it doesn’t make you happy.

-By Sam Bavelock

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