TOSHI'S BLOG: FISHING TRIP TO SOUTH THAILAND - NO.1

As an annual event for me, I visited a lake near the border between Thailand and Malaysia. This is my 7th visit there. I often visited in September but this time delayed to in the end of October, when is the almost finishing time of best season.

From Bangkok we got an airplane for 1 and half hour and then by 1 hour’s driving we reached the dam site of the lake. At the first sight of the lake we immediately knew the different situation as usual. The water was like a flood and intruded until a parking space for cars. For Shige who is a Japanese but has been living in Thailand as a fishing guide more than 10 years it was the first time to see high water in this lake.
 

From the dam site “Speed boat” which is mounted an engine of a car, carried us to the floating house on the upper area of a broad lake. On the way we enjoyed the great view of a series of high cliffs like Ha Long Bay, then we met a natural elephant which is playing in the water. That was my second encounter with elephant here. Last time was maybe 5 years ago, a baby elephant enjoyed bathing just the back pool of floating house. We can meet with not only elephant but also many kinds of natural animals like a monkey, bear, and so on.
After arriving to the floating house another surprise was waiting for us. A handy phone becomes to be able to be used there! When I came here first time around 7 years ago there is nothing here. At night we have to light a lamp at night. A about 3 years ago private power generator appeared here and lamps disappeared. Now we can see Facebook here through handy phone. It is a big change in life here, though we still need to jump into the lake for taking a bath.
 TOSHI