Khao Sok: Humidity & Half-Baked Dreams
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 25.3 degrees, feels like 25.92, temp min 24.97, temp max 26.1, pressure 1008, humidity 78. it’s sticky. like, aggressively sticky. i’m talking ‘you’ll need a dehumidifier just to breathe’ sticky. i landed in Khao Sok yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a lot. it’s not the postcard-perfect Thailand you see on Instagram, you know? it’s more like… raw. overgrown. a little bit unsettling, in a good way, i think.
I’m staying in this little guesthouse - ‘The Green Gecko’ - which is basically a collection of bamboo huts clinging to the side of a hill. the owner, Somchai, keeps offering me sticky rice and telling me stories about the *jaguars that supposedly roam the mangrove forests. i’m not entirely convinced, but he’s a good guy. he’s got this weathered face and a laugh that sounds like rocks tumbling down a hill.
I spent the morning kayaking through the lake, which is seriously massive. like, you could lose a small country in there. the water was this incredible emerald green, and the reflections were insane. i saw a few monkeys swinging through the trees, and a couple of hornbills just… staring. it was wild. i almost capsized when a giant water monitor lizard decided to sunbathe on my kayak. that was a moment.
Someone told me that the best way to experience Khao Sok is to trek through the jungle at night. i’m kinda hesitant. i’m not exactly a fan of creepy crawlies, but i’m also not a total wimp. i’m thinking about it.
I overheard some backpackers at the local market - they were pretty hammered, by the way - saying that the waterfalls are overrated. ‘Just a trickle,’ one of them slurred, ‘and full of mosquitos.’ another chimed in, ‘I heard that the guides are total scammers, charging tourists a fortune for nothing.’ ugh. i’m taking that with a grain of salt, obviously.
Here’s the lowdown on what I’ve been up to:
*Kayaking: 10/10. Seriously stunning. Book through TripAdvisor - they have some good deals.
*Jungle Trekking (Daytime): 7/10. Beautiful, but bring bug spray. Like, serious bug spray.
*Local Market: 6/10. Chaotic, but a good place to grab some cheap fruit and try some weird snacks. Check out Yelp for reviews.
*The Green Gecko Guesthouse:* 8/10. Basic, but clean and friendly.
I’m trying to find a decent coffee shop, but it’s proving difficult. most places just serve instant. it’s a tragedy, honestly. i’m seriously considering investing in a portable espresso machine.
If you get bored, Surat Thani is just a short drive away. It’s a bit of a trek, but there’s a decent beach there.
I’m also trying to capture some decent photos, but the humidity is killing my camera. it’s constantly fogging up. i’m using a diffuser to try and combat the problem, but it’s a losing battle.
I’m starting to think i should have brought more sunscreen. my shoulders are screaming.
Seriously, though, Khao Sok is… something. it’s not glamorous, it’s not perfect, but it’s real. and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. i’m heading out to explore a hidden cave i found on a local forum. wish me luck. and maybe send bug spray.
Check out this forum for more local tips: https://www.reddit.com/r/KhaoSok
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