Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Khao Yai National Park






Procrastination has kept me from two things, updating my blog site and visiting Khao Yai National Park. This post now catapults me back into the world of travel writing, my hobby that has recently been lost in the working world.

About two hours away via scooter, or motorcy as they call it in Thailand, is Thailand's first national park. While two hours can not be constituted as an expedition, it is a bit challenging to make your way out of the congestion of suburban Bangkok. So therefore, to bolster my own self-worth and pride, I will think of it as a mini solo expedition.

Conquering the smoke belching trucks and rule-less streets heading towards the mountains, the air quality drastically improved after entering the park. It is a steady climb to the top with several waypoints to see waterfalls, wildlife and viewpoints. As always, morning is the time to beat the crowds. Even though on the outskirts of a population of 10,000,000 inhabitants, I had Thailand's largest park mostly to myself before 10 AM.

When life gets busy, sometimes it is easy to forget how a couple hour drive can totally change your environment and mood. It is always a gift to get back to nature, and let the worries fall off like the leaves of a tree... as John Muir once said.

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