Group affairs: Jungles, Islands and the inbetween

After meeting Rami, Mael and Soel Ki in Phuket, the three of us traveled to Patong for a one night safari.

Patong is the party area of Phuket, which makes it the mecca of drunken tourists and lady boys (Thai men who have become women), and rampant sex tourism.

The four of us shared one room with one giant king – sized bed, because accommodation is pricey, found an affordable restaurant among the bars and showgirls (it’s hard to tell if they are men or women), and had one drink at the feet of five dancing lady boys who were more than happy to flash there implants for a tip.

One night was enough to get our fill of this “Thai Vegas” and the next day we headed north to the tranquility of Koh Sok, a jungle that is older than the Amazon.

Four two days, we slept in a bungalow with mosquito nets and hiked in the jungle.
One morning I woke early and went for a walk alone. No one else was on the track and after about an hour of solitude I heard a rustle up a hill to my right. I stopped in my track and saw a large, dark object move. My hands began to shake and my stomach tightened. Frozen for a moment, I felt the adrenaline pumping through my limbs and my brain preparing me for an escape- back the way I came, up a tree or down the hill to my left. What was the animal?

Before I took any action my curiosity urged me on. Rationally I knew there was very little chance of it being any kind of large cat with teeth, because it was making too much noise and these jungles have been combed through for feline game. But my heart wasn’t convinced and as I stealthily climbed toward the creature I was trembling.

Before I was more than 30 yards him, I realized it was a small- I’m assuming baby- wild elephant. A cute creature, but still dangerous. Where there is a baby there is likely a larger mamma nearby. Fortunately for my safety he moved deeper into the jungle as I crept closer and soon I could hardly see my backpack on the track.

Disappointed that I couldn’t get a better view, I returned to the path and gathered my things.
Suddenly the jungle seemed scarier than it had an hour earlier and I was aware of my vulnerability. I began walking back the way I’d come in and I could feel the monkeys and birds taunting me. Screeching sounds from swinging vines and disturbed branches made my heart race. I wanted to run, but I knew my fear was illogical.

I was grateful to run into a Russian couple twenty minutes later and I recounted my elephant story to them with pride and not an ounce of fear.