Whenever we take camping trips, especially in Thailand, cooling off and staying clean is always important. Even up in the mountains where temperatures can drop to single figures depending on the season, the afternoons are still pretty hot all year round. Mapping out routes on Google Maps always take into consideration rivers, streams and water crossings that might be on the way for this reason.
A particular destination in Petachabun province, central Thailand saw us leaving a mountain top campsite a little dirty, dusty and sweaty but pre-planning had us saved. Somewhere towards the bottom of the mountain we were leaving was a rocky stream - well that's how it appeared on Google Maps.
As our 'blue dot pin position' on our GPS showed we were almost there, the 4x4 track also ended and turned to a small footpath. Water levels in Thailand can often be disappointing with dried up waterfalls and streams much of the year! This new find was very different!
Instead of just a small rocky stream like we were expecting, we had discovered a multi pool, multi level waterfall. Despite the water being very cold, the valley and dark rocks acted as a sun trap and it was perfect.
Each level was easily climbable and most just required stepping up and down.
Not only were we surprised with how beautiful the waterfall was but we were also amazed to be the only people there. It was also spotlessly clean and luckily it was almost impossible to spot any rubbish in the bushes or on the rocks which can sometimes be the case with more popular waterfalls.
After a quick and somewhat, excited explore up and over the rocks it didn't take long before we stripped down to our undies and jumped in - well, edged in step by step getting used to the chill!
Not wanting to pollute the environment we always carry with us some biodegradable shampoo (specially designed for washing in the outdoors). It bubbles up great but quickly dissolves into nothing as soon as you rinse it off.
We checked the map again to see if there might be other spots that we could visit or get to, to try and camp. The map did show a continuation of rocky waterfall pools but nothing that we could drive close to. This was mainly because the river/stream had very steep banks dropping down to it but did offer lots of farmland to set up camp.
A short drive through some muddy tracks only took us away from where we were hoping to go.
We settled for a nice shady spot in some kind of orchard but gave up on trying to find somewhere that had a waterfall view.
Trying to get a camp photo of the truck and roof top tent, I was photobombed by my dog several times who just wanted to tell me it was dinner time and that she was hungry!
Dinner on the camp stove wasn't too exciting and consisted of scrambled eggs and hot dog sausages but it was a quick and easy cook up followed by some snacks!
Parts of this orchard or farmland we were camped on seemed to be rather well kept. I am not sure if animals passed through to graze or if the short grass and open space was used to sort harvested crops in the shade, either way, it made a good place to camp.
The view wasn't as spectacular as the night before on top of the Doi Tua Peng mountain (as written in a previous post) but it was still green and there was much more bird life to listen to and spot in the trees.
Once we were all set up and had finished cooking/eating we started exploring to see what we could find. Ideally we were hoping for another way down to a different section of the waterwall. GPS directed us and as we neared we followed the sound of flowing water.
Less 500 meters away and with a slow walk we found another section of the upper waterfall. Less dramatic than where we washed and swam earlier in the day but still just as nice.
The following morning, the morning chorus woke us bright and early, well all except one who decided that the inflatable pillow and sleeping bag were just too comfy to leave!
I hope you enjoyed this post and please follow for more like it in the future.
All content is original: the photos, the writing and the adventure!
