I had a vivid dream that I was playing Airsoft and was absolutely killing it. I did a heroic roll which transformed into real life, resulting in me falling off my king-sized bed with a bang! Perfect excuse to get a Thai massage sometime soon.
I attempted to visit three places per morning, before remote working began. Pit stops would include more waterfalls, viewpoints, botanical gardens and a wildlife sanctuary which I thought might be worth a visit.
I entered the road to the wildlife sanctuary and started to enjoy the sounds of running water, beetles and birds, until a SUDDEN crack of thunder occurred, followed by a biblical downpour! I huddled near the entrance to dry my phone and wrap it up in my trusty sarong of 11 years. I put on my poncho which was starting to tear in critical areas. With no sign of the rain subsiding, I slowly scooted out feeling rather disappointed.
But then the heavens closed. I was quite high in the mountains, and the trees were steaming within pockets of mist. What I can say about Trang (and southern Thailand in general), is that it is incredibly lush.
There was a botanical garden en-route back to basecamp. Apart from one randomly parked scooter, there wasn’t a single soul in sight! I got lost in those gardens for two hours, and it felt magical. This adventure ended at a large plant-growing nursery, with no one present. Perhaps the rain was taking the watering shift. I really wanted to pay for my exclusive visit, but the trees wouldn’t accept my credit card.
I love riding a bike alongside the locals. We all weave our way passed cars to take front row and all roar off together when the light turns green. When in doubt about making a manoeuvre on the streets, simply side up right next to a local and do as they do!
One evening I heard loud bangs coming from outside my modest hotel as I was wrapping up with work. Fireworks. I boarded my bike as soon as I could and ended up at a track and field stadium. I was surprised to be let in for free, but this was due to an opening ceremony that had just ended.
There are a few Trang Botanical Gardens, so the the next day I visited one that was more like a forest. This one had a suspended walkway that took you into the ancient tree canopy. Labelled as a tourist attraction, entrance was free. This really made me consider how the Thai really do care about protecting nature. The pathways in both Trang Botanical Gardens that I visited are so well-maintained. The few humans I did see, were engaged in sweeping leaves off the pathways, which must be an around-the-clock job.
With a couple of hours left to kill before jumping online, I visited some natural hot springs, which were also free to enter! I had a long wallow in the coolest pool. The hottest one must have been 2,000 degrees C, but this didn’t prevent a couple of grannies from taking a plunge. I had a 20-minute neck and shoulder massage before leaving for 100 Baht (roughly 50 ZAR) which ended up including a massage of my arms and dream-induced bruised back.
I’ve booked my next week to stay in a wooden bungalow on the nearby island of Koh Lanta. I can’t wait to swim with the fishes!
Next: Koh Lanta: Can All Chickens Turn Into Pigs?
Previously: Trang Tales of the Unexpected
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