I turned 50 shades of human (mostly reds and browns) while in Krabi. Got bliksem’d by the sun during a long scooter ride to a protected forest that has three natural pools. Thailand weather is so unpredictable… Samsung predicted thunder showers every day, but when the sun peaked out, I decided to chance it.
I studied the route on my digital map. About 3 quarters of the way I would run into Ban Na Nai Police Booth, which has 3 glowing reviews on Google! “Nearby there is an office network with computers available for rent”; “Public service, both in and in the past, tourism”; and the third one was just an image of a seafood dish. I was concerned about being stopped by the police and asked to show no license. I was advised to keep 500 Baht in my pocket for such eventualities.
The journey took over an hour, with extra time to build scooting confidence. I wore jean pant and rolled them up high to serve as knee pads. I even brought leather gloves with me, but those would have boiled my hands alive; but I had a good helmet with a visor. I recalled Dad’s words during my first driving lesson: “The first rule of driving is to pretend that everyone else on the road is an idiot”.
I found the car drivers to be quite forgiving and generous with space. It’s the fellow bike riders you need to worry about – especially the kids who ride one-handed while looking at their phones with the other. A few hairy moments, but I made it! The last leg of the journey was great – passing through rural turf, but I did get whiffs of something vrot. Perhaps durian grows in those parts.
400 Baht got me into the venue, and 140 Baht filled my tank. Their main attractions are three natural pools – one volcanic one (Blue Pool), one algae one (named Crystal Pool, for some reason), and one swimmable one (named Emerald Pool) – all about 800m apart. I had a dip in the latter one and used my newly-found mask. I should ask the King if I could please get an Ecotourist Visa for constantly picking up trash found on the beaches and in protected areas… I fished out quite a lot. There was one section devoid of peeing humans and I swam under a water-logged tree to get to it. There was a big school of homeless fish huddled in a cave! I suppose they get their home back at night.
The Blue Pool deserves its name. It’s a 35 degree C natural hot spring. No swimming aloud. A Thai girl began clapping her hands, which seemed to make the bubbles surface. Not sure if she was faking it or not, but it looked like a pretty neat trick. Crystal Pool was beautiful in my eyes. I spotted two different and happy-looking fish species. No humans allowed in there either. It all ended with a stroll through the bamboo forest, with the sounds of Christmas Beetles and bird squawks.
Wetness was coming, so my exit home was a lot quicker, also thanks to some built-up scooting confidence. The roads are so well-maintained by South African standards. No potholes! There were however road works happening. I just copied what the local riders did. If they were in the side-lane, take formation. One weird rule is that if you are turning left at any given moment (no matter what colour the traffic light is), you GO! There is no flashing green arrow to indicate this, and sometimes bikers (and even cars) head in the wrong direction!
I was 10 minutes away from base until a sudden downpour occurred. Thai people are prepared for this and quickly pull-over to put on ponchos. I had one in my little backpack but needed my mounted phone to show me where to turn. I took it slow but made a wrong one, which was the best wrong turn one could take. I stumbled upon a HUGE food market that does not get advertised! It must have been 500m in length, with food stalls on either side. I took a soggy stroll up and down three times before pulling out my limp bank notes. I selected a few different things and make a mystery bag of: fish in banana leaf, sausage on a stick, mini Pad Thai (for safe measure), and some strange-looking sushi pieces. I was a little afraid of the latter. You only live once, but you also only die once, right?
The rain had stopped, but not 30 seconds after scooting out of there, I caught site of two elephants that had presumably been let out to graze. For someone who has been up close with the mighty African Elephant, with ears bigger than the BFG, this did not make my eyes pop out, but it still felt special. I just really hope they are treated well and do not get ridden…
Ended the day slathering myself in aloe vera After Sun lotion for my biker’s burn, while drinking a Leo larger. It’s quite funny how the logo is that of a tiger. I need to recall more unaudited English signs and labels. One hotel I remember passing was named “Too Nice.”
Next: Thailand #13 – I Would Walk 1,260 Steps
Previously: Thailand #11 – Island Hopping
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