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Mark
Strickland:
professional underwater photographer & author
(American living in Thailand) on Khao Sok National Park
I can't say enough about our fantastic trip to Thailand's Khao
Sok National Park with PaddleAsia. It was a great experience from
start to finish - well organized but flexible itinerary, with
just the right combination of paddling adventures and relaxation.
The scenery is absolutely spectacular - we explored miles of pristine
shoreline, bordered by towering, limestone mountains and verdant
tropical jungle. The accommodations were a special treat - floating
bamboo bungalows, snuggled into a remote corner of an immense
lake. Food was simple but delicious, and our hosts certainly lived
up to the tradition of Thai hospitality. And, amazing at it may
seem, surrounded as we were by tropical fresh water, there were
no mosquitoes! Starting each day waking up to the sounds of gibbons
and other jungle dwellers was an experience not to be forgotten.
What really made the trip unique, however, was the wildlife viewing.
Thanks to Dave's expertise, we paddled to just the right places
to see a wide range of creatures - primates like dusky langurs,
pig-tailed macaques and white-faced gibbons, and lots of bird
life, including several types of eagles, hawks, and 3 different
species of hornbills. We even saw wild pigs feeding at water's
edge. It would have been enough just to see these creatures, but
Dave made it all the more interesting by identifying each animal
and educating us about their habits. On top of all this, we also
spent part of one day doing a very scenic hike that led to an
amazing cave system. Our Thai guide led us along a subterranean
stream bed through an incredible maze of underground grottos and
passages, complete with stalactites, bats and blind catfish. It
was icing on the cake! All in all a thoroughly enjoyable trip
that we would love to do again - keep up the good work guys!
Check out Mark's Photo
Gallery
 Steve
Bragg (British) on Khao Sok National Park
"Khao Sok, absolutely amazing, I can't think of a nicer or
more tranquil way to experience the jungle than by Kayak. It was
good for my son [8 years old] as well, although he was a little
freaked when he realized he was actually doing it, rather than
seeing it on TV, but that soon passed. Kids are quick learners.
What a bonus, before we left he was imitating the gibbon calls
around the bungalows and it seemed very much that they was replying
to him, who knows?"
Rick
Herpel (American from Palm Beach, Fla.) on snorkeling in Tarutao
Marine Park
"One
of the most outstanding days I've had diving. I've been diving
for 20 years and it was as good as anything I've seen."
Bob Brodersen (Californian University Professor) on birding
in Khao Sok
"It
was a great trip. Dave's a fantastic birder. I got 28 new species!"
John
Furman (American) on Phang Nga
We had an incredible trip, exceeded our expectations, and are
eager to do it again. Roy was always good natured, engaging, and
knowledgeable...and didn't put any pressure on us to achieve great
paddling feats! This made it a lot more relaxing. Thanks again.
Wolfgang
& Hannelore Viertel (BC, Canada) on our Rental program
We
were very happy to find paddleasia in South Thailand and could
rent sea kayaks from them. The kayaks as well as the additional
equipment which paddleasia provided were excellent. We used the
kayaks in the Krabi area. It's an area with no transportation
and accommodation problems. There are daily ferry service between
Phuket, Phi Phi Island, Krabi and Ko Lanta. After the monsoon
(December) the ocean was calm and we did day trips and a long
distance crossing to Phi Phi Island. We kayaked from island to
island and enjoyed the excellent food in the lodges, the warm
water from the Andaman Sea, the beautiful islands and we had trouble
free holidays.
Line
Hansen (Norwegian) on Laos
"We
enjoyed ourselves immensely in Laos. Also enjoyed the company. The
trip turned out to be everything we hoped it would be and more."
Lisa
Priestley (American) on Phang Nga Bay
"We
had a GREAT time! Roy was terrific and we really appreciated how
he was able to arrange no other tourists or even fishing boats our
first day out --- we had the islands completely to ourselves!!!!"
Ralph
Stephanelli (American living in Hong Kong) on Laos
"...whenever
I look at them [referring to photos] its a great reminder of what
a good time we had, you can almost relive being on the river."
Jane Betts (British) on Khao Sok National Park
"...it
was all great fun and extremely interesting - the bird life and
the monkeys were amazing. All in all the experience was one I wouldn't
have missed for the world. The days were spent paddling gently around
this vast (165 sq mile) reservoir in a National Park of 650 sq mls.
The scenery was also amazing."
Tabitha Bond and Rebecca Bond [sisters]--(British - living
in Bangkok) on the paddle training
"We
both had a great time and just want to learn more."
Peter
Bond (British - living in Bangkok)
"Rebecca
and Tabitha [Peter's daughters] have just returned to Bkk [Bangkok]
full of praises for your outfit. Well done, they are not the easiest
people to please so you deserve full marks...."
Edward Persse (British) on Khao Sok National Park
"My
head and my heart are however full of the sounds, smells and images
of the Khao Sok National Park. I will always remember sitting back
in my kayak and gazing at whole troops of gibbon and monkey sharing
a tree and gorging themselves on fruit, of the call of gibbon, all
the hornbills, kingfishers and eagles. Thank you both so much for
taking so much trouble to ensure this part of our honeymoon was
perfect. Thank you particularly for waiting for a whole morning
for us to cross from Ko Racha Yai when the sea was rough, your patience
in teaching us how to paddle, your humour and genuine knowledge
and respect for the flora and fauna of the park."
Clas Hagelstam (Finnish - 72 years young!) on Khao Sok
National Park
"Please
accept Markku's and my warm thanks for an excellent week of paddling
in Thailand. We had a great time - good value for money."
Clas
was also kind enough to put us on his paddling club's website at
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/5199/wakes/thai2000.html
Suvimon Kanchanasthira (Finnish/Thai international school
student) on Khao Sok National Park
"I
truly enjoyed the trip and would go back at any time. Oh, if I just
would have the chance to. I learned a lot from you. It was an educational
experiance to go and look for the animals."
Sinthu Satawiriya (Thai international school student) on
Khao Sok National Park
"Thank
you very much for teaching us how to kayak. I thought it was a really
fun learning experience and I'm sure I'll be trying it sometime
again in future, maybe next time I will be able to do the Eskimo
roll. Thanks to you, the trip was both fun and educational!"
Andy You (Japanese/Taiwanese international school student)
on Khao Sok National Park
"Without
you I would never find out the side of me that I found out in Khao
Sok. I can still remember that initial moment we first that we arrived
that traquil, serene, secluded inlet of the rainforest where the
bungalows buoyed. Absolutely sensational and tremendous! Since "you
guys", I have been really into Kayaking/Paddling, I am starting
my own Kayaking Club in ISB, so I will be needing you very soon
again! I was truly inspired by the energy and life in your spirit
when we paddled, I think that is really what I like about being
that one-person, muscle-powered boat."
Jennifer & Darren Kraker (Americans) on Khao Sok
National Park
"We
would like to send our regards and to let you know that the Khao
Sok trip with you was one of the best experiences in our lives.
Especially now that we are back in the States, we are only beginning
to realize how truly special that place is. You two do an amazing
job of seeing everything the way it ought to be seen. The pictures
don't seem to do the place justice, but they will serve to forever
remind us of the trip. Thanks for taking us into Khao Sok - what
a remarkable journey."
Jennifer
and Darren even posted a trip report on
dejanews.com. Here is what it
says:
"Paddle
in Khao Sok: My husband and I recently took a trip to Thailand and
the highlight was a four day kayak trip we did in Khao Sok National
Park. PaddleAsia is the company we chose to guide us through this
gorgeous part of the world. The accommodations were remote and peaceful
- the goal of PaddleAsia is to view nature respectfully . We saw
Gibbon, Macaques, Dusty Langar, wild pigs and many, many birds.
The guides are especially knowledgeable about the birds and orchids
you will encounter. Because you approach quietly on water, you are
able to see so much wildlife. PaddleAsia is the only tour company
that I know of that takes you into the park for this amount of time.
They are professional, fun and place a high value on retaining the
pristine nature of this Park. I would highly recommend visiting
Khao Sok during your visit to Thailand and would maintain that in
order to really get the full experience, go with PaddleAsia. We
plan to go back next year!"
Joycelin
Cheah (Malaysian living in Hong Kong) on Phang Nga
"We
had a great time Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay. For a beginner like
us you sure have a lot of patience and always on a lookout for wildlife
to show us. It was very peaceful to paddle in the 'Hongs' said Rick.
"[said Rick --, Joycelin's companion] "As a result of this
little trip mother nature has taught us a lot about herself now
we tend to look and notice birds around us more often than we used
to. We appreciate your warm reception, experience and knowledge
that make us comfortable throughout the trip."
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