Khao Sok National Park
Koi carp...see below.
We drove back towards Surat Thani to visit the Ratchaprapa lake created by the Ratchaprapa Dam. I have seen several spellings but this is the one I am using. The dam is a clay core rock fill dam 95 metres high and 761 metres long, although it is actually two dams as it also uses an island in its centre whilst the spillway is cut into solid rock on one side.
Construction started in 1982 and was completed in 1987. It generates 240MW of power and controls flooding, provides irrigation water and is used for fish farming.
A view of the upstream rip rap face of the dam.
The water intake for the power generation part of the dam.
One of the shores on the lake.
view of the limestone cliffs with the high water line visible.
Another longtail boat passing us.
And more limestone formations, a column of stone...
...a column of stone surrounded by water...
...another island...
...passing between some of the columns of rock standing in the water...
...and more...
...the Three Rocks...
...a close up...
...a flooded cave...
Then we stopped at a bay for a short walk.
We were going to visit a cave, Kai Pra Ketch Cave.
We climbed the stairs to the entrance. There was bat poo on the floor and bats roosting above our heads. It goes back quite a way. There are stalactites and stalagmites and other formations.
A view of the outside, with river snails on the shores which the macaw monkeys eat when they find them.
Another rock column...
...and its bigger brother.
We moved further up the reservoir and landed for a jungle walk. There were several large spiders and their webs.
Plus mushrooms such as this orange one plus a white one.
We stopped for lunch at a floating restaurant...but not this one.
This was our restaurant, with a string of huts to one side available to rent...
...plus a series of pods on the other side. The building with the dark roof behind is the toilet and shower block.
We had set menu, fish, chicken curry, vegetables and rice followed by fresh fruit. Drinks weren't included but were horrendously expensive. There were several nets full of fish...local fish...koi carp...
...a beautiful specimen... some were ill and receiving treatment...some escaped but many didn't go far and there were big specimens swimming around the restaurant. They get fed and feel safe so don't go far. Through in some fish food and there is a melee.
The spillway.
This was our restaurant, with a string of huts to one side available to rent...
Time to go home.
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