Khao Yai - Day 1

Our first full day in Khao Yai included a morning and early afternoon easy 8 kilometer hike that took only 4 hours.  The hike was from the visitor center to Haew Suwat Waterfall.  Later in the afternoon, we went to Paw Dio Dai, the lonely cliff scenic overlook.

Our hike began just behind the visitor center and meandered through the forest.  We had a guide from the National Park.  93% of the students enjoyed it.

I'm not sure what they're looking at, but left to right are Brandon, Sarah, Ashley, Sera, Emily, and Taylor.

The guide explained about the uses and characteristics of different tree species.

Giant black squirrels are over 3 feet in length.

We saw several Asian Fairy Bluebirds here.  They are spectacular, but we didn't get any pictures.  Google it to see what they look like.

We came across this impressive strangler fig tree.  It begins by a bird landing in a tree and pooping out the seed of certain fig species.  The seed falls to the ground, begins growing and climbing up the tree.  Eventually, the fig grows around the original tree to the point that it kills it.  After the original tree decomposes, all that's left is an empty space within the branches of the fig.  Here is Ashley standing inside.

Sydney smelling a leaf from the strangler fig.

We took 5 minute breaks now and then.

That offered a good opportunity for a group photo.

We had several water and log obstacles to get over.  This one is too big for Hli to hurdle.

Ashley finding things to photograph in the vegetation.

Toward the end of the hike, we found lots of evidence of elephants, including this very fresh generous dropping.

At the end of our stroll through the forest was Haew Suwat Waterfall.  If it looks familiar to you, this famous waterfall was featured in the movie "The Beach."

At Paw Dio Dai, we enjoyed an incredible view over an expansive valley of primary tropical forest.  What an incredible sight.  Here is Sydney taking a photo of Zoe.  Selfies backing up to the edge would have been a bad idea.

Nearby was the lonely cliff rock outcrop.  The word unnerving comes to mind.  Here is Sydney.

Sera.

Ashley.

Taylor.

Zoe and Rachael.

This is the driveway next to our guest house.

There are sooooo many pig-tailed macaques.  These invasive vermin will steal your ritz crackers and instant coffee if you leave your porch for just a few seconds.  Can you tell I'm a little bitter?

We have a nice catered dinner of Thai food with vegetarian options each evening.

Tonight, Ajarn Uey gave a presentation to the students on gibbon ecology.  We'll be going out for sunrise gibbon and birdwatching walks in the forest during the next two mornings.