Leaving Rafthouse Paradise

After two days on the lake in our comfy raft houses it was time to say goodbye and get back to the mainland.

A Day around Chiaw Lan Lake

The second day on the Rafthouses included a number of activities.

Already before breakfast we left for a morning boat tour to see and hear nature waking up. Later in the morning we boarded the boats again to get to the starting point for a jungle hike. After a short hike we arrived in a small village, where we changed to a bamboo raft to cross a little part of the lake to get to and later into a cave.

The afternoon then was spent at leisure – so simply relaxing – or for the more active by  swimming, kayaking or reading.

Heading for Relaxation around Chiaw Lan Lake

We left Bangkok this Sunday evening by night train, making it into Surat Thani in the early morning. After breakfast we were transferred to the banks of Chiaw Lan Lake.

Here we transferred to boats for the the one hour trip to our home for the next few days – the Pleanprai Rafthouses. On the way we already could get a feel of the setup around the lake with limestone carsts.

The days on the rafthouses themselves were quiet relaxing with little activities. We enjoyed the included food, some boat trips to get closer to the wild and options for swimming and kayaking.

Back to Bangkok

It was now back to Bangkok – which by now somehow feels like coming home 🙂

After breakfast in the Imtrav hotel I got repacked to finally meet up with some of the others to catch a taxi over to Khao San Road. From there I made it by foot to the good, old Viengtai hotel. Here I met parts of my new group in the evening. On Sunday morning we met up for a Khlong (canal) tour, followed by a visit of the Grand Palace.