gina matranga: Pranburi and Khao Kalok National Park

February 5, 2011
February was a busy month. Here it is March and I'm filling you all in on February. At home, February seems to drag somewhat, due to the weather mostly. But here it really flew by. January felt very long at times, and then February went by in a snap. It is a shorter month, so I guess that had something to do with it.

The first weekend of February I was lucky enough to travel to Pranburi with friends. This was my second trip on which I was given a ride, kind of incredible when for every trip I take I take a bus, motorcycle taxi, song tao, plane, train...the many possible ways of transportation are wonderful, but so is a free, comfortable ride with friends. I traveled with my teacher friend Teresa, and her boyfriend Wat Chai. Teresa has an apartment here in Rayong because of teaching, but previous to this experience she was living in Pranburi with Wat Chai, so they were headed back home for the weekend and invited me along. We only went for a short weekend trip but it was still packed and fun.

Pranburi is about 20 minutes south of Hua Hin, where Andy and I spent our last adventure together. Hua Hin was one of the first travel destinations for beach R & R, and it remains busy year round for these same reasons. Due to this, few people venture any further south to Pranburi, so it is pleasantly quiet and slow paced. There are a few miles of good beach that I saw and ran along, and a mix of resorts and cheaper accommodations. It's a very nice place to come and relax and spend some time on the beach in a quiet atmosphere.

Pranburi is also home to Khao Kalok National Park which sits on the beach. Khao Kalok, while it has a very nice beach, also has CLIMBING! and BOULDERING! I told Wat Chai and Teresa I really wanted to check out the park, so we took a trip there Saturday evening. I immediately began eyeing the limestone for moves and holds. Sure enough when I looked up 10 feet, the first slings began to appear. As I looked further up, many rountes had andchors in place. I hopped on the rock and just boulered a little, without shoes. I don't really know why I left them at home. Ah, next time. I counted about 8 routes and some were quite tall. There's a cool arch through the rock at the top.

As I was bouldering some of the locals began to give me some stares. Soon some of the guys were hopping on the rocks and holding each other between laughter. I even got my friend Wat Chai to try! He quickly became a coach; "Ok, put your hand there, yea, now step up there!" It was great.

My pictures aren't so great because it was a bit hazy at that time of day, but nevertheless here are some pictures.

Many locals filled the beach in the late afternoon for dinner.

hole in the wall.

super fun just messin around on the rocks.

Me and coach Wat Chai

get it!

Doesn't it look like these people could be crushed if they're not careful?

Since the climbing is right on the beach some of the holds are a little greasy from salt residue from the ocean. But for the most part it looks to be fun, moderate climbing. I’d love to go back with my shoes, rope and draws. A little climbing and a little beach bumming all on one.

After we stunned the locals with our rock skills, Teresa, Wat Chai and I moved down the beach. Teresa and I jogged along the beach, which was a great way to see off the afternoon. The sun sank away and we headed out for some dinner in town. We went to a local spot for dinner- a Cambodia barbeque spot. These restaurants are pretty popular all over the place. Big buffet where you can pick different meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, noodles, and other fixin’s. Throw everything into the barbeque with some broth and-alloy mahk! (Very delicious!)

Running on the beach was quite enjoyable, albeit very hot even though it was early in the morning. Pranburi is a lovely place to relax and find some quiet.