Day 6 - Thursday 2 February 2017

More effort........With a little extra effort it’s a much better start to the day with all preparations for departure completed before 10am. Smile Boutique has fulfilled its function and I’ve had a couple of light days managing my budget but I must see what else the province has to offer.
Pornrang Hot Spring........Google Map Heading south on the Petchkasem Road it’s not far to the first stop of the day. A left turn leads up to the Ngao National Park and Pornrang Hot Spring. The photos of the spring look really inviting but I hadn’t realised I would need to pay the national park fee of 100 baht. Nonetheless I’m committed to a bathe in the hot spring which puts me into a trance. Unlike at Raksa Warin there are few people here and I get a pool to myself. It’s so relaxing, I would like to stay in this forested location for ages but I’m aware there are rules regarding the length of stay in the spring water which can rise to 40 deg. C. especially as I’m regarded as vulnerable. Staying as long as I dare, I finally take a shower and decide to test the rather cooler river water. That’s also very satisfying as I get a fish pedicure for free. By the time we leave the spring it’s midday. The next site is just a few more kilometres away.

Grass Mountain........Google Map Grass Mountain (yah phu khao, in Thai) refers to a range of low hills that are unusually for this area, devoid of trees. On the grassy slopes cattle graze. It looks ideal for sheep but if you were from Wales you would think it more familiar. But here with little rain presently the slopes are looking dry and dusty. One thing it does provide is a clear view to the forested mountains to the east and amazing views of my next destination. But first it’s time for lunch nearby and to get the fuel tank filled too ....more.

Ngao Waterfall........Google Map The Ngao Waterfall is included in the price I already paid at the hot spring which now makes it good value. The waterfall is not huge, just a narrow flow seen from the distance at the last location, but it is high, an almost sheer drop from the mountain top. It’s a stiff but manageable climb of 500 metres to the base of the fall where there is a small rock pool. It’s not deep enough for a swim but there are fish and again I can’t resist the pedicure.
The three stops of the day so far have added something special to this section of the tour. The natural feel to the day has been relaxing but this is what this coastal area is all about. With forested mountains to the east and mangrove to the west there’s not too much in between. I’m amazed they have actually built an airport here. I’ve now entered and area that was until recently inaccessible by road and there is another national part not too far away ....more.

Leam Son National Park........Google Map Leam Son National Park contains a number of islands off the Ranong coast as well as parts of the mainland. I would like to visit Bang Ben Beach but I fear this is part of the national park. In which case accommodation would be limited. At 4pm we head for the beach but as expected, there is only park accommodation here and in any case it’s full. There is also a fee for foreigners of 200 baht. It’s too late in the day to think about a visit to the beach here but we get a flavour of the stunning scenery by heading to the estuary of the Kapoe River, although maps indicate that the estuary is part of the Andaman Sea. This is the first time in the province I’ve gazed out to sea. As I mentioned most of this coastline is dense mangrove forest. From the pier on the estuary you can take a boat trip from Bang Ben Pier Google Map around three of the offshore islands and at the point of writing this option has to be explored. I have the time but it just might be too expensive. We’ll just have to see ....more.

Kapoe........Google Map Relative to most provinces in Thailand, this one is wilderness. The only community of any size nearby is Kapoe ....more, the name of one of Ranong’s districts. The only chance of accommodation in the area is there. When we arrive there is accommodation sign boarded to the left. We have to check it out. Most fortunately SS Kapoe Resort Google Map passes the test and in terms of ticking boxes it seems to have everything I need. I waste no time in dropping the bags off then head out for something to eat but the town is so small there are few options. There is a 7Eleven but we collect something to take back from the market. I’ve been quite happy today but the question now is how to spend the remaining days on tour. We really need to find a beach but there aren’t any near here. Next Page.