A few days ago I returned from a vacation from Thailand; I responded to the invitation to join on a trip with my friends – Andy and his wife Atcharavan who live there. And my daughter Kaja was also a part of our company.

My main goal was to see the wild orchids in situ and to explore some Natural parks, to see some nurseries and orchid’s market, and have fun of course.

During our staying there it was the dry season which meant that not many wild orchids where in bloom, but we did see some of them anyway.

From the airport we drove to Salaya – the city is cca 50 km west from BKK, where we stayed 3 days: we were visit park with elephants,



tigers



& crocodiles, orchids market and the nursery or better orchid farm of Khun Lung Banja - so friends call him.





After the farm we went to see the floating market, it was on the way back to Salaya

and the evening we spent in BKK and enjoying the night life.

We left Salaya and went and continue our trip towards the National park Khao Yai, (cca 200 km NE from BKK) which is the second largest park in the country, located in the Nakhon Ratchasima province.





It is one of the foremost camping and hiking destinations in Thailand, and is made up of a combination of evergreen forests and grasslands for you to hike, cycle and camp in, no matter the duration of your trip. We arrived in a dark and in the dark we put up the tents. It was pretty cold , at the time of our arrival it was 11 °C. We did lit a fire to warm us up, but otherwise we had some liquid for heating. As the morning was cold too, the fire had ben lit by Andy just before we woke up: just after breakfast we went to exploring the surrounding for the whole day.

The following morning we are headed towards further to north east, for the next 200 km. We arrived in the evening where we spent the night at the locals and in the morning we were on the road again: firstly to the monkey temple



and than to the Phu Kradueng National Park at attitude 1.288 m. We needed 5 hours to reached the top - 5 hours of continuous climbing, was pretty hard indeed.



We were exploring the surrounding for the whole day long.

As there was a dry season, the waterfalls hadn’t many water, we actually see more or less remains of mighty waterfalls, and we could also walk by the almost dry river-bed. But despite the dry season, there was the lush vegetation.



After the whole day sauntering we were watching the sunset in the evening, we bought some sticky rice for the following morning and go back to our tent. While we were in the bathroom we had a visitor who has served itself with sweet rice.



The following morning we went back to the valley and I was suffering pains while I was descent a mountain: furthermore, I was fairly clumsy and fell, but without serious consequences: scratches and bruises have healed quickly.

Just after we arrived back to the locals, we went to see the bat cave (near Phu Pha Man), where every evening just after the sunset, some 10 million bats leave the cave. They fly in a shifting line stretching about 10 km before dispersing. It takes about 45 minutes for all the bats to exit the cave.

Returned to the locals, we prepared dinner together - it was also a short cookery course. They came near neighbors too, and dinner was drag out late into the night. Thailand is well known by good food, but we had never eaten so good as we did here at the locals. I am enjoyed so much in good company, people are incredibly friendly. As the time for departure had come, we of course had to promise to be back again, soon.

The following morning we flew to Phuket, where we spent the next 3 days: diving to a depth of 15 m, laying on the beach,



driving around the island with motorcycle and visit the butterfly garden, in a pleasant atmosphere – this was our main and only task here.

I was coming home to cold Slovenia with wonderful memories that will help me make it thru the rest of the winter…that just lasts and lasts and lasts…..

I added just a few pictures - just for tast and if you would like to see some more, visit my flickr site and please feel free to leave any comments you may have. There are many orhcids with no ID and I'd be glad any of your comments. There are 2 maps on the right side: Flickr: Brafo's Photostream