Hello. My name is Haga and I am often mistaken for a Thai person in Thailand.
Following on from yesterday, here is a report on the Monosus Company Trip 2018 in Thailand.
In the first part , we introduced the first day in Bangkok to the second day in Khao Lak from Inui's perspective. This time, I, Haga, will provide a digest with lots of photos of the events that took place from the third day onwards, from the Similan Islands to Khao Sok.
It was my first trip to Thailand, and everything I saw, heard, touched, and ate was stimulating. I didn't have much knowledge about Thailand before, and only had a vague image of it. However, this trip made me fall in love with Thailand.
Even if you have never been to Thailand, I hope that by reading this article you will be able to get a sense of Thailand's charm.
Day 3: Khao Lak to Similan Islands
schedule
- Snorkeling & Scuba Diving Experience
- Similan Island Walking Tour
- Dinner with Monosus Thailand members
The itinerary from here on out is packed with activities!
The second half begins with an adventurous feeling.
Before that, let's fill our stomachs first. We head to a restaurant just a minute's walk from the hotel.
When you wake up, you'll be greeted with a spectacular view.
As I walked, I saw it! The sea.
Enjoy your breakfast while looking out at the Andaman Sea.
Afterwards, all the members participating in the sea activities got into the car and headed to the port.
Enjoy the feeling of freedom in the back of the truck.
We board the boat at the port and set sail.
Our destination is the Similan Islands!
The Similan Islands are located in the Andaman Sea, 76km northwest of Tha Phram Port in Phang Nga Province, adjacent to the north of Phuket Province. The Similan Islands are designated as a marine national park covering an area of approximately 140 square kilometers, and are a beautiful place where you can see endless blue seas up to 30m deep, pure white sandy beaches, rocks with unusual shapes, and a huge variety of fish and sea creatures. They are so famous that they are counted among the top ten diving spots in the world, and many divers from all over the world visit every year during the diving season.
(Quoted from the Tourism Authority of Thailand website https://www.thailandtravel.or.jp/mu-koh-similan-national-park/ )
Taking a commemorative photo while being blown around by the wind!
The members on board are excited (several people even get seasick).
And just when they set sail in high spirits...
An announcement was made that due to unexpected engine trouble, the plane would not be able to reach its destination.
We waited on board for several minutes for a replacement boat.
It's finally here! This is a lifeboat!
Everyone gets on board, regains their composure and sets off again.
We then safely arrived at a diving spot near the Similan Islands.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving Experience
Now, let's start snorkeling and scuba diving!
Getting ready to jump into the ocean. I'm worried about water getting into my nose...
We also do scuba diving!
One member smiled and said, "I took my cell phone with me!" (laughs)
You can clearly see the ocean floor several tens of meters below!
Beautiful coral reefs shaped like roses and colorful tropical fish.
I swam with the fishes.
After enjoying the day to your heart's content, it's time for lunch on the boat.
Of course it's Thai food. The menu includes green curry, sweet Thai-style chicken wings, and Thai-style minced meat. I don't know the details (lol) but it's very delicious!
Similan Island Walking Tour
Afterwards, we landed on the eighth island, Similan Island.
This is a secluded beach resort with the impressive large rock, Sail Rock, near the summit.
We immediately set off towards Sail Rock and started our climb!
We were barefoot and screamed as we reached the summit due to the pain of the rock face (laughs).
It's full of people! It's a popular beach.
The view from the top was so beautiful that we all took a commemorative photo.
Afterwards, we all took a commemorative photo on the beach. We couldn't jump in unison... (laughs)
Dinner with Monosus Thailand members
In the evening, there was a joint dinner party for Monosus and Monosus Thailand members.
At the seaside restaurant, the sound of the waves is soothing, and it keeps everyone hungry after a day of snorkeling and scuba diving eating.
Japanese and Thai members usually have few opportunities to meet and talk together. This is a great opportunity to deepen their friendship!
Everyone smile and say cheese!
After dinner, you have free time.
Some people went out to a second bar for drinks, some visited souvenir shops to buy souvenirs, and some went to bed early at the hotel, and everyone spent the night in their own way.
Day 4 Khao Sok
schedule
- Transfer from Khao Lak to Khao Sok
- Khao Lak Tour
- Kayak racing
- Monkey Tour
Transfer from Khao Lak to Khao Sok
We start traveling in the morning, leaving Khao Lak behind and heading to our destination, Khao Sok National Park.
About Khao Sok National ParkKhao Sok National Park is a virgin forest rich in biodiversity located in Surat Thani Province, next to Phang Nga Province, about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Khao Lak. It is older than the Amazon rainforest and is said to be one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Designated as Thailand's 22nd national park in December 1980, the park is a tropical jungle consisting of limestone mountains with an area of 738.74 km2. The steep rock walls that form the dynamic canyons and karst topography are breathtakingly beautiful and impressive.
(Quoted from the Tourism Authority of Thailand website https://www.thailandtravel.or.jp/khao-sok-national-park/ )
Khao Lak Tour
After arriving at the national park, we immediately boarded the boat and our Khao Lak tour began!
You will be overwhelmed by the vast nature that spreads out before you.
After the tour, you will board a boat to your accommodation, a water cottage.
It's such a luxury to be able to stay inside a national park.
After lunch, it's time to enjoy some free time.
Kayak racing
After that, we will be participating in today's big event, the Japan-Thailand Joint Kayak Race!
Ready, set, go!!
Everyone is serious (laughs)
An unexpected capsize in the final (lol) but the game is over!
A kayak race that caused a huge uproar.
The winning team was awarded Muay Thai goods by the Thai members and Kabuki-patterned face masks by the Japanese members.
Monkey Tour
During your free time, you can even go out to spot wild monkeys.
I can't seem to find the monkey.
Ah, there they were! I found five or six white monkeys with long tails and small bodies. They were clinging skillfully to thin bamboo. (Sorry for the rough image.)
The members were starting to show signs of fatigue after the long journey and kayak race.
I thought everyone would go to bed right after dinner, but even as the night went on, everyone at the tables continued to have fun. They never ran out of things to talk about. I ended up going to bed before everyone else.
The big fried fish we had for dinner was delicious.
Sunset in Khao Sok. The rugged mountain ridges stood out even more and were beautiful.
Last day: Khao Sok – Return home
schedule
- Morning Mist Tour
- Final meal at the foot of the suspension bridge
- Returning to Japan
It's the last day. Our long 4-night, 5-day trip is coming to an end in a flash.
On this day, volunteers gathered early in the morning and took part in a tour to see the morning mist that appears above the lake.
It's a pleasant morning.
Let's go on the morning mist tour!
I was soothed by the fresh early morning air and the fantastical mist surrounding the mountains.
The small fried bread-like things served for breakfast after seeing the beautiful scenery were delicious. I ate them with condensed milk or a mysterious green syrup (sweet).
After breakfast, we left the water cottage.
On the way back, we stopped at a spot recommended by our local driver for lunch.
There is a suspension bridge right next to the restaurant! You have to cross it!
It's so high...some members who are afraid of heights crossed it cautiously.
The last Thai dish of the trip. I thought it would be spicy, but it was actually a sweet Pad Thai.
The CEO, Mr. Hayashi, looked completely like a local. The event ended with a closing speech for the company trip.
It's time to say goodbye to the Monosus Thailand members and the members who are staying in Thailand for work...
This concludes our six-day, four-night company trip to Thailand.
Every day was so intense that I can't write it all down.
Thanks to the Monosus Thailand members who organized the trip, everyone was able to return safely. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all. Thank you very much!
And thank you for such a wonderful opportunity.
It was a wonderful trip that made me want to go to Thailand again!
モノサスアーカイブ