15th October 2010 I stepped cautiously onto a log balanced precariously across a small stream that winds it's way through a thick forest. On our third day of trekking guided by Mr Bunleod we experienced the real jungle environment we had been expecting to hike through. We had planned to leave early in the morning so that Aaron and I could catch a bus to Nakon Phanom in the afternoon, but after two days of brilliant sunshine this morning we woke to the gentle drumming of rain on the metal roof. We waited till around 11am for the rain to let up and seeing as we weren't on a tight schedule we delayed our onward journey till the next day. We set out on scooters on the short (3-5km) journey to the nearest entrance to the Pua Wau Wildlife Sanctuary. The track was very muddy, so I had to hop off the bike several times and suggested we might as well have walked! After parking the bikes we entered the jungle and took up a winding trail. We crossed a stream using a narrow wooden po...

14th October 2010 As impossible as it might seem we had even more fun adventures with Mr Bunleod on our second full day with him. In the morning Mr B jumped on one of his scooters again and Aaron and I on the other. We drove out of the village and back to the main road where we took a left and headed slowly, but steadily up to the north entrance of the Phu Wau Wildlife Sanctuary. We had to take the long route by road since tracks through the park are not easily negotiated. We did however take a shortcut through the NW section on a relatively easy dirt track. I only had to hop off the bike at the end of the track where an expanse of sandstone formed a bridge. We hiked a short way into the jungle before through the trees we saw a huge expanse of gray rock with a waterfall tumbling down it. We had reached Cha Nan Waterfall. We waded through part of the river at the bottom of the waterfall, then gazed up at the impressive sight. Water streamed over the rounded surface, hit a pool w...

"For legs good. Two legs better" - Animal Farm My Ride 11 October 2010 In south east Asia, two wheels seems to be the way go. Capable of toting whole families, merchandise, livestock, the 110cc motor scooter is a versatile workhorse. Excepting, our nightly dinner forays at Cherai beach it had been a while since I had been on a motorized set of wheels. Foreseeing some scootering in our future I thought it best to get reacquainted. While Jean was taking an internet job (sic) search day I decided to rent one of these steeds and take it out for a spin. At the cost of $6 for the rental and another $2 for petrol I was on my way to Than Thong waterfall some 75 kilometers away. The open road. Most Thai roads are well paved and not busy It proved a good refresher and the waterfall was nice too. We're in transit tomorrow following the Mekong to a little village called Kham Pia. The Mekong River Than Thong Waterfall