The second night camp at Namtok Tad Ta Pu waterfall
Just when the sun was setting we arrived at the rocks of Tad Tapu waterfall. The relatively wide open space in the forest is filled by large rock plates over which the waterfall drops down into the deep jungle. We pitched one tent on the grass and one on the rock.
Over the rock over Tad Ta Pu waterfall (John)
From where we camped we could see the waterfall below us and the very green healthy forest beyond. We had a candle lit dinner on the rock under the star studded night.
Tad Ta Pu waterfall intake
Raya stream feeding the waterfall. The stream picks up waters from the sources along central hills of the park, and enters the western forest of Khao Yai national park where it merges with Nang Rong river at Tad Tapu waterfall.
Tad Tapu waterfall in end of January 2008
Water level and amount was quite low and small. However it was still nice, good enough for camping and taking shower. At the end of the sloping rock are several pools surrounded by rocks and stones before it enters into the deep jungle to continue its journey south to join with Nakhon Nayok river.
A wild flower on the forest floor
On the last day morning at breakfast I was thinking about what happened when we arrived at Tad Ta Pu waterfall camp yesterday at sundown. From about 60 meters away we saw the smokes rising above the wood and our two rangers suddenly hand-signaled us to lie down and stay where we were while they approached the wood quietly like army commandos trying to catch the enemy camp by surprise. But it turned out that two former rangers who were assigned to do "bear research" for an University researcher were camping there. Later when we had a chat at the dinner the rangers talked about poachers who came into the national park to cut and take away precious wood illegally, and how they arrested some of them and handed over to the police.
That little flower wanted to be beautiful and shining while it is alive. It achieved its beauty by some means; however the beauty could not last as long as it wanted to be. It must die sooner or later. It is true to the trees, animals and human being too. For the man the matter becomes a lot more complicated.
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