With a background including social entrepreneurship, community organizing, and disaster relief, Bodhi Garrett’s ongoing passion has been to develop grassroots solutions to global issues. After growing up in Kathmandu, and studying at UC Berkeley, Bodhi founded North Andaman Tsunami Relief when the 2004 disaster claimed his job and home in Thailand. The $5 million recovery effort spawned several ongoing projects, including the North Andaman Network Foundation, and Andaman Discoveries, an award-winning social enterprise focused on sustainable tourism.
In 2011, Bodhi moved from the coast of Thailand to the jungles, where he and his wife started an eco-resort, Khao Sok Riverside Cottages, along with a bakery and hostel that continue to welcome visitors today.
Khao Sok Cave – Tam Gaew – Exploring the crystal chamber
This blog chronicles the experience of my first hike into this magical region in search of an amazing cave. There are many caves in the area as a result of the limestone geology. However, Tam Gaew (or Tam Kaew) is the only one that features an amazing crystal chamber. Hence its name in Thai, Tam Gaew (Glass cave). It is outside the technical boundaries of Khao Sok National Park, but it might as well be inside. We drove about 30 minutes from Khao Sok village to the trailhead. The hike to the Tam Gaew is about 45 minutes, depending [...]
Spotlight: Local Guides in Khao Sok Nationalpark – Ed
If you’ve taken part in any kind of excursion in Thailand, the chances are that a local guide has accompanied you. This blog post highlights the local guides in Khao Sok Nationalpark whose invaluable expertise and experience not only keeps tourists safe during their forays into the jungle of Khao Sok but opens up a world of knowledge, inviting you to connect with your surroundings on a deeper level. Over morning coffee, local guide Ed shared some insight into his daily life, the deep connection he feels with the jungle and his plans for the future. [...]
Khao Sok Playground – Rivers and Lakes – A Personal Review
When planning a trip to Kao Sok there are certain checks on both your bucket list and your packing list that you do not want to miss! This unique Khao Sok playground offers a jungle adventure like that of no other. Prepare for some once in a lifetime experiences. Enjoy the untamed and wild nature of the climate and ecosystem. When visiting, you would do well to indulge in both the rugged treks as well as other more relaxing experiences. Get the most from what this area can offer you. The trips curated by the Riverside Cottages aim to bring [...]
Family Holiday Thailand – how to visit Khao Sok with children
One of our favorite things about Khao Sok is It is a great choice for a family holiday in Thailand. At Riverside Cottages, we can help you plan a great Khao Sok family tour. You can also book a family room at our resort. Learn how visiting Khao Sok with children is not only possible, but a great idea. Need a family friendly Khao Sok tour? Read on to learn more. Visiting Khao Sok with children - where to stay - Choose a Khao Sok family room When on a family holiday in Thailand with [...]
Khao Sok Elephant Retirement Sanctuary – Caring for the Khao Sok national park elephant
What is the Khao Sok Elephant Sanctuary & Retirement Park? Domestic Asian elephants typically have 2 choices – carry tourists on their back or pull logs out of the forest. As they age, these jobs become difficult and dangerous to their health. This is true of the Khao Sok national park elephant. In order to offer a better life we have created the Khao Sok elephant sanctuary or retirement park. Here we provide a safe space for older elephants to enjoy life instead of working in exploitative situations. In addition to organic vegetables and fruit, our farm has plenty [...]
Jungle Cooking in Khao Sok
Nearly everyone that visits Thailand loves Thai food, and it is easy to understand why. Thailand’s abundance of herbs and spices make seasoning food easy. Additionally, Thais have mastered the art of blending these spices into masterworks of taste and texture. Spicy, sweet, sour, salty: every bite of a well-prepared Thai dish has a little of each. It is no surprise that Thai cooking courses are so popular among Westerners traveling here. Who doesn’t want to learn a little of this culinary magic to take home? Here at Khao Sok Riverside [...]
Khao Sok Park Cave Hike
We all hopped in the truck to head off to Khao Sok National Park. There, we would be hiking through dense rainforest on the way to a little-known Khao Sok cave called Bang Man, or Bang Hman, cave. The staff at Khao Sok Riverside Cottages had arranged the trip. Although most resorts here can arrange hikes, Riverside Cottages is one of the few that sends people to this part of the rainforest. Even though we had some great fried rice wrapped in banana leaves, we stopped to grab some water and snacks. It’s always good to have extra snacks! [...]
Khao Sok Canoe Trip – Sabai Sabai
A Khao Sok canoe trip is one of the staple activities for visitors. Recently, we made a trip down the river and thought we would share our experience. We began our Khao Sok canoe trip after a short drive through wondrous scenery. We enjoyed a climb down rock steps, which led to the river and our waiting canoes and guides. Then, the guides handed out bags of fish food. Instantly after throwing just a small handful into the river, a feeding frenzy erupted. Brightly coloured fish made the water boil as they fought for food. [...]
Thailand Jungle Trekking
Khao Sok National Park is home to many wonders of nature, and some of the best Thailand jungle trekking available. Rare and bizarre plants and animals call the peaks of the park’s mountains home. Also, due to the inhospitable terrain, more species are undoubtedly awaiting discovery among Khao Sok’s famous limestone Karst formations. Of all these enchanting natural wonders, few capture the imagination quite like the Rafflesia Kerrii - the world’s largest ‘flower’. Rafflesia Kerri is located high on mountain ridges, and is a genuine treasure of Khao Sok National Park. Furthermore, it is visited by a surprisingly few number [...]