The day looked quite dull when I awoke, a real change from the previous sunny and humid week I had just spent in Sarawak, in the lush Malaysian Borneo. I showered and realized the time would not be enough for breakfast so I made my way to the Paradesa Borneo Discovery office, located near the Kuching waterfront area, where I met my two kayaking companions, two young British girls on a Malaysia backpacking tour. We were ready for our kayaking in the Sarawak River Tour. James the driver turned up at 8,30, we made introductions and we were soon on our way on his brand new Chinese-made14-seater minivan. James is a kind middle aged man of Chinese origins, talkative and friendly. He suggested stopping in an eatery to have breakfast, a suggestion that I happily embraced! The sun was timidly attempting a feeble appearance from behind a curtain of black clouds as we sat and ordered coffee and fried dough from a food stand in a residential area on the outskirts of town, a welcome respite for my hungry belly. The drive that followed was smooth; the road was flanked by lush vegetation and the traffic was scarce. James stopped at the Semangoh Wildlife Center to pick up a family of four from the USA taking part in the tour before heading towards hilly Padawan, an area where Bidayu tribes live. There the limestone mountains get higher, with impressive pointed peaks. James told us that we were so close to the border with Indonesia that trekkers can easily find themselves in a different country without even realizing it. Wow, I thought. These valleys are densely cultivated: bananas, ferns, tapioca, corn, sloped paddies, fruit orchards. Villagers from this area are economically productive and depends mainly on agriculture, selling their produce at the local weekend markets. At the village of Semadang – a few wooden houses with tin roofs, a catholic church, a school, and all around cultivated fields – we picked up Biko our guide for the day. James drove another 10 minutes along a road sided by plantations of dragon fruit, pepper and rubber, the main cash crops in this area, before reaching Kampong Benoh, our starting point for this kayak expedition. We got geared up with lifejackets, dry-bags and paddles, received a briefing on how to maneuver the kayak and walked down a path to the small river below, where the water was quite shallow due to the dry season. I was assigned a single kayak, and while the other customers seated on their vessels, I got quite worried of the small size of the stream, only to reassure myself after a few meters when we reached the main river, the Sarawak Kiri, which means ‘left’. This tributary joins the Sarawak Kanan – ‘right’ – downriver to become Sungai Sarawak, or Sarawak River, an important source of water and transportation for the inhabitants of southwest Sarawak. I paddled nonchalantly as we passed a few small rapids; we negotiated small whirlpools, avoiding logs sticking out of the water. The kayaks bumped into rocks and occasionally got stuck in sandy banks, where we had to get off and push it out into deeper water. I looked up at huge and tall durian trees with spiky fruits, observing the clouds building up and eventually discharging a wall of water that caught us unprepared. The alternate bursts of heavy rain forced me to take refuge under the thick canopy of trees and overhanging bamboos growing along the river bank, more than anything to ensure my camera did not get wet. I motioned the group to paddle forward and stopped a while to listen to the sound of nature, to smell the vegetation and to enjoy the silence. Nature is at its best when it rains so I did not mind getting wet. The sky finally opened up a little, I rejoined the group and we soon stopped for a break, parking the kayaks in a sandy beach that marks the entrance of the Bidayu village of Kampung Danu. Women picked veggies from the gardens and dogs roamed freely as we approached the local house where we had our lunch: kolo mee noodles, chicken on rice, curry puffs and juicy pineapple and yellow watermelon. A well deserved meal after all the padding. Kampung Danu is home to 300 people and has recently won the price for the ‘Best Dayak Village’ in the area. Its villagers depend mainly on agriculture, while earning a bit from tourism as well. From here it is in fact possible to arrange activities such as rafting, fishing and visiting the nearby caves, and they even have a very picturesque suspension bridge crossing the Sarawak Kiri river. On to the second leg of the journey we endured more rain, saw a baby monitor lizard on the shore, marveled at amazing rock formations and had another break. We then paddled past some kids swimming naked and Biko informed we were pretty near the ending point, though the black menacing clouds that had been approaching from behind did not give us enough time: the sky opened when we were at only 200m from arrival. The rain was so think and violent that paddling in itself was an issue, let alone keeping the eyes opened. The rive current got stronger and the full force of nature was against us, soaking us wet and making us struggle to paddle the last 50 meters. At the jetty, the staff was there to help us disembark our kayaks and lead us to a parking area where James was waiting with his minivan. We felt cold and exhausted but happy: we all looked at each other and you could tell there was a satisfaction feeling at having been at one with nature, nearly powerless against it, and at having reached destination safely. Rain or sunshine, dry or wet season, if you are in Kuching and have a day to spare, do try this amazing experience: you will not be disappointed and...

The post Kayaking in the Sarawak River appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

The Nature Club Resort is located near the  by Khao Laem Dam in Sangklaburi. The Nature Club Resort blends with the landscaping, and with its natural rivers and hills offers you vicinity to a great environment, stunning views and the utmost privacy. Crafted with natural materials, it features unique wooden cottages and villas complete with private balconies or terraces with serene views of the lake. A TV and minibar are provided. Select bathrooms feature bathtubs and/or outdoor rainshowers. Free Wi-Fi is offered at the restaurant area. Offering a host of adventures, resort’s guests can enjoy activities including kayaking, ATV, elephant riding along the creek, cycling and trekking in and around the resort. Its tour desk makes sightseeing arrangements to places such as Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park, Wat Pa Lelai and Saiyok Noi Waterfall. Traditional Thai and international dishes can be enjoyed at the resort’s restaurant. The Nature Club is a 15-minute drive from Wat Somdet Temple and Market. Wat Wiwakaram Temple and Mon Village are a 30-minute ride away. Facilities of The Nature Club Resort Outdoors: BBQ Facilities, Grounds, Terrace, Sun Deck Activities: Fishing, Canoeing, Hiking, Cycling, Water Sports Facilities (on site), Hot Tub, Bicycle Rental, Karaoke Food & Drink: Breakfast in the Room, Restaurant With Dining Menu Internet: Free! WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge. Parking: Free! Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed). Services: Room Service, Shuttle Service (surcharge), Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Air Conditioning The Nature Club Resort  207 Sangkla Rd, Nong Lu, Kanchanaburi, Thailand 71240. +66 (0) 89 510 8444 (Information & Reception) thenatureclubresort@gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/thenatureclub http://www.thenatureclubresort.com THAILAND ON 2 WHEELS stayed at The Nature Club Resort in May 2014. Follow THAILAND ON 2 WHEELS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thailand-on-2-wheels/272739139560253?fref=ts

The post The Nature Club Resort appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

When I embarked on a longtail boat tour of Bor Thor, drawn by the allure of ancient caves and the legend of the Big Headed Ghost, I anticipated shielding myself from the scorching Krabi sun. However, on the appointed day, the sun was the least of my concerns. Instead, I was greeted by a somber, overcast morning, with rain persisting so relentlessly that at the Bor Thor pier, nestled in the Ao Luk northern district of Krabi, Thailand, even the local vendors’ stalls were ensconced in muddy surroundings, rendering sampling their fare impossible. Boarding a traditional longtail boat, we navigated through canals flanked by islands cloaked entirely in mangrove swamps. Our guide enlightened us about this remarkable ecosystem, dominated by millions of mangrove tree roots protruding from the water due to insufficient air in the mud, and the intricate food chain within such forests. Mangroves not only furnish nutrients for resident animals and microorganisms but also act as a natural filter for the Marui River, trapping sediments from the upstream villages. The reverberating noise of our boat’s engine resonated amidst the labyrinth of mangrove tree trunks, while towering limestone formations surrounded us, their verdant hues juxtaposed only by the vibrant canoes and kayaks, manned by tourists clad in equally colourful raincoats. Fifteen minutes later, we disembarked in front of a staircase leading to the entrance of Tham Phi Hua To, a marine section of the Tharnboke Koranee National Park. Situated 3.5 meters above sea level, the cave comprises two expansive interconnected chambers. It is believed to have served as a burial or ceremonial site for a prehistoric cave-dwelling community, dating back 2,000 to 3,000 years, evidenced by the discovery of human skulls within. These ancient inhabitants subsisted primarily on natural resources for sustenance and shelter. Adorning the area just above the entrance, we encountered the impeccably preserved painting of the Big Headed Ghost—a slender, hunched figure with a disproportionately large head, two antennae, a beak, a mantel-like covering enveloping its form, and protrusions emerging from its pelvic region. Crafted with henna, this pictograph has spawned a legend, alleging that the Big Headed Ghost, once a terrorizing presence, still haunts the cave, guarding its enigma and essence. Embarking on our exploration, we traversed the first chamber, replete with millennia-old stalactites and stalagmites, while a musty fragrance hung in the air. Adorning the walls were over a hundred paintings, partially preserved despite the ravages of time and climate. These primitive depictions, some rudimentary in nature, were rendered using henna, clay, and other natural pigments, illustrating people, marine life, tools, and vignettes of daily existence. Notably, the paintings varied in elevation, a testament to the fluctuating water levels both inside and outside the cave, which would rise during high tides, compelling inhabitants to seek refuge on higher cave floors, where they crafted these artworks during periods of respite. The abundance of ancient pictographs adorning the upper grotto walls corroborates this hypothesis. Ascending to the north chamber, we were treated to a panoramic vista of mangroves, limestone formations, and the meandering waterways below. Upon returning to the longtail boat, we embarked on an exhilarating journey through Tahm Lod Tai, a cave nestled beneath a limestone hill, characterized by narrow passageways. Laden with awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites, this cave is navigable only during low tide. Our boat glided serenely through the cavern, affording us ample time to silently marvel at this marvel of nature. As we disembarked at the Bor Thor pier, the rain had abated, and though the air retained a crisp chill, shards of sunlight pierced through the overcast sky. Descending carefully from the boat, we made our way to a riverside floating raft adorned with a thatched roof, serving as a restaurant where our lunch awaited. I found immense pleasure in this meticulously organized and pleasantly adventurous tour, replete with delightful surprises at every turn.

The post Longtail boat tour of Bor Thor – in search of the Big Headed Ghost appeared first on Asian Itinerary.