Exploring Thailand: A Journey Through Kho Lok, Kho Sok, and Kho Yao Noi

Arriving in Kho Lok

We arrived, tired but excited, at our first destination for the week. Our flight landed in Phuket, and we took a 45-minute van ride to our hotel. We stayed at The Haven, a stunning resort that welcomed us with beautiful views and luxury accommodations.

During our stay, we explored downtown, trained in Muay Thai, and went on a six-mile hike through the national park. One excursion included a two-hour speedboat ride to a long-tail boat that took us to the Surin Islands, where we snorkeled and discovered marine life.

The tribe who lives on the island

We swam in the pool or at the beach every day. It was simply the best way to unwind. Jillian and I even watched Muay Thai fights. She was honored when asked to hold the belt in the ring during the girls' fight.

Jillian in the ring

The island is home to so many cats that I tried to befriend. We had dinner at Pam's restaurant, which had a reservation waitlist of about three months! It was delicious, and we even got to meet Pam herself. One memorable moment was witnessing monkeys in the jungle.

Overall, we had a great time filled with laughter and unforgettable experiences.

We took a van to our hike in the national park. Our tour guide and driver had a unique side job of rehoming snakes. What we didn't know until two days later was that he had a four-foot-long snake lost in the van we rode in! Luckily, it didn't show itself while we were there.

With seven of us in one vehicle, we took many tuk-tuks. It's essentially like riding in the bed of a pickup truck with a bench seat. Some were plain, while a few were disco-themed, complete with lights and Bluetooth speakers.

Disco tuk tuk

Discovering Kho Sok

After an exciting week in Kho Lok, we eagerly traveled to Kho Sok National Park. We stayed at Panveree The Greenery for two nights. The resort had floating bungalows on the lake, combining nature with comfort. It felt like glamping since we had electricity only from 5 PM to 9 AM. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served at scheduled times.

Google images of our house, we stayed upstairs

Upon arrival, we were awestruck by the park's massive limestone cliffs.

One of the most thrilling experiences was the jungle tour. We were eager to see wildlife in their natural habitat, and it did not disappoint. I watched wild elephants bathing and listened to various bird species moving through the trees. Jillian and I even found a snake on the edge of the trail—definitely a bit scary!

Dinner on the first night was lovely by the lake. However, the second night was another story. We were attacked by swarms of bugs due to the lights above our table—thousands of bugs! Flies invaded our food and drinks. I discovered too many flies in my rice and had to call it a night early since no one wanted to eat anymore.

Relaxing on Kho Yao Noi

Our final destination was Kho Yao Noi, known for its relaxed atmosphere and picturesque beaches with views of Phang Nga Bay. We checked into a spacious Airbnb, perfect for unwinding after our exciting adventures.

We took another speedboat tour and explored caves, James Bond Island, and enjoyed snorkeling.

Dylan rented a bike, allowing us to explore the island at our own pace. We got completely soaked during a downpour while out on the moped. It resulted in a lot of good laughs!

On the island, we took a batik painting class where we painted on fabric, which was a lot of fun. We also finally got to see some monitor lizards. They are like the squirrels of the island!

Final Thoughts on the Journey

My trip to Thailand offered memories to last a lifetime. From the vibrant landscapes of Kho Sok to the serene shores of Kho Yao Noi, each destination radiated its unique charm. The journey deepened my appreciation for family and the joy of being healthy enough to travel.

However, I must say that the 20-hour flight in economy is no joke!