The rising sun peeping out from behind karst monoliths redoubling the golden hues of reclining Buddas.
Arresting limestone buttresses around every corner
The forests becoming lusher as I crossed into Surat Thani
Contrasting sights, life and death, reverence and disregard. Thai newspapers filled with a harsh crackdown against anti monarchy sentiments as benevolent portraits of the King peppered the road side.
As the heat crescendoed and the straight lines of the 4118 road took their toll I sought refuge in the quiet gardens of a charming Wat.
Gilded forms including this wonderful dragon boat.
With the evening fast approaching I was allowed to sleep beneath starts and mosquito net in the d=safe sanctity of the gardens.
The next morning was spent climbing north then west towards Khao Sok National Park.
Weaving through increasingly dramatic scenery
Forested mountain ridges
Found a slower but more beautiful track to follow away from the tarmac of the main road.
Allowing me gracefully progress in relative cool and quiet
Shaded by glorious bamboo
Watched by interested monkeys
Arriving at Khao Sok I stowed bike and bits in the very pleasing tree house style accommodation, strapped my bar bag across my back, and set of to wander and wonder at the surrounding fecundity.
Diptocarps soared
Ants marched
A source of endless fascination
Each individual dwarfed in scale by there surrounding but together dominating the environment
Soldiers guarding the supply column
Each individual dwarfed in scale by there surrounding but together dominating the environment
Soldiers guarding the supply column
Strikingly beautiful flora beguiled
The texture of more unassuming mosses still caught the eye
Eventually I came across a river and decided to follow its course deeper into the forest stopping to bath in the cool clear water attracting inquisitive nibbles.
As dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy
A wonderful diversity of spiders spun their delicate webs along the rivers banks harvesting the profusion of flying insects.
Elongated forms performing spectral highwire acts.
Some brushed the very surface of the river accepting risk in return for an uncontested niche.
While others larger than a dinner plate constructed colossal webs whose guidewire crossed the rivers entire span.
A charming and curious lizard kept me company
Here too woody twisting vines and growth meshed making the forest feel like some giants pocket in which their headphones were tangling inecplicably.
bubbles in the stream
meaty tadpoles the size of your thumb
Altogether the days walking was a heavenly cacophony of life everywhere you looked.
meaty tadpoles the size of your thumb
Including these excitingly appendaged butterflies.
Few days have been better spent that splashing up and downstream stepping in water buffalo dung and ducking spider webs. Heaven.
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