Khao Lak - Tourism Adventures

On Wednesday Khun Sam set up a day of tourism for Joy, myself and Khun Sawolak and Khun Wansao. We were driven around in the car from the resort and the driver was a really big help with transferring!

Our first stop was a cave in Phang-Na Town. It was about 1 hour from the resort. (Everything is very spread out so getting to many of the tourist sites takes an hour or two from where you are staying). In Thai time the name has something to do with the belly of an elephant because of an old local story. This stop wasn't as successful as we had hoped, but the mountains were beautiful. It was the first time we really encountered people unwilling to make "reasonable" accommodations for Khun Sawolak and Khun Wansao (both wheel chair users). In order to explore the cave you take a canoe, transfer to a bamboo raft and then wade through some water. Khun Sawolak requested the price be cut in half and just to do the canoeing and rafting point. The tour guides chose to loose the business all together rather than make the simple accommodation. I was very shocked because it is rainy season and many places are desperate for business and offer substantial discounts to attract any business. Here are a few pictures from the area that we saw

 

Our next stop was a waterfall located near by at the Sra Nang Manora Forest Park. We knew this wasn't going to be as accessible but everyone wanted Joy and I to have the opportunity to see some of the beautiful mountains. When we pulled in Khun Sawolak and Khun Wansao told us to go on and take pictures too show them was it was like, so we reluctantly followed their directions. When we returned we were surprised to find them located part of the way up the trail. Khun Sawolak had gone to the park ranger's office and informed him that she would like to see the entrance to the path. (There were a couple big steps and and then a higher bridge that made this challenging to access when using a wheel chair). The ranger and gone and found two wooden planks and assembled a temporary ramp over the stairs. He then assisted them in using it. This is much more reflective of the experiences we have had while traveling with the group from DPI. Thai people are often helpful at making "reasonable" accommodations on the spot to allow temporary access. 

 

 

 

After lunch we headed to Phang-Na Bay and were treated to a long tail boat ride. The owner of the company that took us was friends with Khun Sam was was very accommodating given the physical environment of the dock. It was very low tide thanks to the full moon, which was one of the reasons we went on the boat ride. Our destination was a sand bar that only showed on extreme low tide. There were little crabs that came at and basically covered the island. It was a little strange but the surrounding mountain islands were beautiful!! We also drove through the largest oyster farm in Thailand. 

The biggest challenge was getting onto the boat. Because it was a very low tide the floating dock meant the stairs down to it were incredibly steep. Four of the staff assisted in carrying Khun Sawolak and Khun Wansao safely down the steps and onto the boat.

Boat ride, the mountain islands, and the little crabs. 

  

 

The oyster farm.

 The group!