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Sangklaburi - Sanepong - Laiwo - Jakae - Lay Tong Ku - Pueng Klueng jungle walk & Karen village homestay: 11 - 17 April 2007
This trip is a cross country, one of a hardy out of the beaten track travel that
includes five days walk in the jungle and through tribal villages.
The trek itself is not a hard walk; however it demands quite a high level of mental
and physical fitness. Unexpected things happened and ones need to be tolerant of
and adjustable to certain level of inconvenience and rustic lifestyle.
7 a.m. view from a resort in Sangklaburi - western district of Kanchanaburi province.
The famous Mon bridge spanning over the river that flows into Khao Laem dam lake looked
just beautiful against faint mountains behind. A lone fisherman was steering his boat
infront of the wooden bridge.
Not many tourists were seen in town when we arrived here last night, a day before the
Songkran newyear holidays. "Lot of people will be coming here today," said the
resort manager. "To play water festival which starts tomorrow and go for tours," he continued.
We, however, were not going to throw water on people. Instead we would go for a long walk
and come out in the north so we could go back to Bangkok from Mae sot.
From the road 323 it is roughly 9 km on a dirt road to the bridge over the Songkalia river
before arriving at the Royal Forest Department station. Water in the river was quite low
and inflatable rubber boat rafting might not be possible in the hot season.
Sanepong village is after the forest station.
Sanepong Karen village is somewhat developed thanks to the proximity to the main road.
Villagers grow paddy and keep orchards. Small amount of trading, and seasonal tourism
activities exist. Some villagers work for the businesses and larger agricultural farms
owned by Thais.
After a chat in a house we left the village by going up the hill in the north. From the top of the
hill Sanepong was seen quite dry in the middle of April.
We walked in the mixed dry and semi evergreen forest and bamboo groves.
The weather was a bit hot, but it was still bearable because of shades. We also walked pass
open spots without large trees. Natural water was not to be found easily.
About 40 minutes after leaving the village, we had sight of water in a rock hole - 2 meters
from the ground.
Here was the tool to pick that water. One does not need pulleys, rope and
bucket. One does only need to know how to use bamboo and a knife.
A rustic bamboo chair under the shade, beside a stream for rest. The stream was dry.
Bamboo are used to build chairs and tables, bridges, huts and houses. They can be cut
into cups and spoons, baskets, mats, and there is almost endless line of products
bamboo can produce.
To arrange your travel in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar please visit
www.trekthailand.net.
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