Jungle Jackie Reports...

After a large breakfast and a quick map check, we set off trekking into the park. Following the well marked trail, we comfortably made it to the first two waterfalls (more like rapids over some rocks really, but pretty all the same) and a rather nice swimming hole about 3km along the trail. The next part of the trek led us into the jungle proper, with dense forest and steep paths (and crazy tree roots that looked prehistoric). We made it to the 5km waterfall (some more rapids) and lazed about on the rocks eating biscuits. The scenery was incredibly dense with so many shades of green and as the wind picked up we felt the rain on its way, so headed back in the much needed cooling showers.

The next day we took a steep jungly climb with a guide, and a rather active dutch family, in search of the worlds largest flower, the rafflesia. It was very rewarding when we finally found it, exhausted and sweaty, we all skipped and slid our way back down the mountainous karste for a glorious roast dinner specially prepared by Shaun at Traveller's Rest (he made an ingenious veggie roast from our sosmix served with all the trimmings). A little taste of home goes a long way with two tired and hungry 7 year olds, and after five months on the road (can you believe it already!).

Despite our exhaustion, the next day we took a boat trip across the lake and went caving through the Namtaloo caves. A bit scary in places, and we all took a few tumbles but we made it through and the children were really proud of themselves, as were we. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the other farangs (foreigners/westerners). Despite being in a group of eleven, others were less than helpful when people fell in or got left behind (and thus in darkness after I dropped the torch down a deep watery cavern - I think it may still be glowing away at the bottom of the pool). You can tell alot about people by the way they treat the weakest members of a group. Ho hum...

On a friendlier note, we met a wonderful family from Switzerland and have been having a fine old time with them. It was a somewhat serendipitous meeting as I felt like going home at that point, having been pushed past the point of exhaustion by the children and wondering whether travel is really that good for their behaviour. Then we met Jason and Moni, travelling for five months with Niki (4) and Elina (3 and majorly cute). We shared our stories and stresses and top tips, and all felt much better for it I think. They invited us to come to the Similan Islands with them - one of the world's top 10 dive sites and since we are in possession of some fine new snorkelling gear, we decided it'll be something special, so Similan here we come!