01- 3rd April Khoa Yai National Park

Our route out of Ayuthaya was 3rd class train direct to Pak Chong only 4 hrs we will be fine!!! As we try to get onto the train which is packed solid not even a space to place the rucksacks onto the floor, Mark actuallyends up standing on the steps by the doors.. not a very safe place... I on the other hand am taken by the train master to the rear of the train where he places me in a cupboard like room with 3 other gaurds.. It was interesting at least I had a seat maybe I would have prefered a window!! however the gaurds make it fun feeding me and playing cards in between stations.. On arrival at Pak Chong The gaurd a lights me and my gear leaving me RUN!! the length of the platform to pull Mark off the train just in time... 1 night in Pak Chong looking froward to another train tomorrow...

Once arrived at National Park by train & Bus we are dropped at the main gate not a problem only its 17:00hrs and massive big thunder storm is raging!! We ask at the gate how we should get to the visitor centre to collect our camping gear... Reply oh you walk its about 14km OH NO we actually share a taxi with Manuel a spanish guy we met on the train... As we arrive at visitor centre we are now told Our campsite is only 5km walk from here... SO off we trudge fully loaded takes us a good hour to walk,,, On arrival we are given our camp gear the rain is stil full on and it getting dark.. We eventually erect the tent as off to get some food OH NO!!! No food tonight only POT NOODLES!!!

The night sleep went amazingly well, so very tired we could have slept anywhere!!! Awake early probably through hunger We are told Oh NO!! No breakfast here only at main visitors restaurant... So off we trundle to hire a guide and have some decent food...

The trekking took us thorugh some real jungle paths with lots of signs of life..Elephant footprints by the water edge and much elephant pooooh to know there musy have been lots here last night.. 5hrs trekking we stop at a waterfall our guide vaguely translates he wants his money NOW and we should follow this pathway until we return to campsite mmh OK when have you ever had a guide that takes you out into the middle of a trek and leaves you to find your own way!! We stop for some reshments before walking off up the river bed as instructed another 3hrs we find the road very hot tired again!! we hitch first car lovely Thai family take us to the site in their pick up truck everyone seems to have trucks.

The evening fell with just as much excitement as last night NO FOOD this time not Even a NOODLE we share crisps and biscuits with Manuel (and he was a big boy who needed lots of filling)... As we play cards in the dark restaurant seeing by means of our head torches... We have some great company Deer, Beautiful Male with massive antlers, Porcupine which I've never seen before,, family of Gibbons with a very protective mother, Young Hornbill singing his night song in the tree nearby... It has stopped raining its a beautiful starie night Perfect!!!!

Our trip out of the park was just as interesting we are packed and ready. I ask a Thai Lady if they are going anywhere near the visitor centre at first she said NO so fully loaded we start to walk.. They pass us on the road and collect us jumping in the back with their kids.. Who spoke little English their Dad said he felt sorry for us and went out of his way to take us!! ( really nice people. gives you faith!!)

We scrounge another lift this time we are really Lucky Cause they are going all the way to town (Pak Chong) As we approach the gates to the park he picks up another 2 travellers all piled in the back.. He take 20km as promised right to the train station... 3rd class back to Ayuthaya is our only way out of here...

Next Stop Sukhothai