PICTURE ESSAY

When 5 women decide to head out to the vineyards at Khao Yai and explore new pastures during a rainy time, it’s got to result in joys, especially if they end up at a quaint, welcoming resort that goes by:

 Recall Isaan Isan Concept Khao Yai!

THE PLACE

Thailand’s first national park (established in 1962), Khao Yai is the third largest natural reserve in Thailand and is situated mainly in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Khao Yai means large mountain and it offers more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland in central Thailand. It’s at a mere 3 hour distance from Bangkok, in a north-easternly direction. How irresistible!

THE RESORT

A resort called Recall Esaan Esan Concept and a bunch of five friends: beauty bursts from every corner, and follows us around. The place calls out to the less urban, it speaks to the country person inside you, and welcomes you with music, rural artifacts and smiling faces. We were pleased by our choice, even if it were quite by accident. 

Day One – heralded a tour of Granmonte vineyard. We drove straight there from Bangkok. 

First, we partook of a sumptuous luncheon accompanied by rains that musically fell around us.

When we arrived at the vineyard Shop, after lunch, our guide requested us to do the ‘testing-tasting’ first, and then roam the vineyard, to be lectured on the history and production line of Granmonte. 

We were happy to oblige. 

After the Vineyard tour, we settled into our new  haven at Recall Isaan Isan Concept resort, admired the night sky, partook of a sumptuous meal after a satisfying day, and took to our new beds with gentle fatigue and peace in our hearts. 

The vineyard is watched over by the rolling clouds

Dinner at the restaurant at the resort.

DAY TWO

Waterfall and Natural Reserves awaited the lot of us. Our smart and cautious driver drove us with panache into the arms of a lush and dense forest, weaving his way dextrously through the ravishing green tracks. 

Along the route, we spied an Elephant who was caught busily munching through a late breakfast. 

Our palpable excitement had him jump the fence and attempt to cross the narrow stretch from one side to the other hill. 

The Waterfall (Heo Suwat) was still far, far away. 

We stopped at a scenic spot to catch the floating clouds, as the continuous drizzling waited awhile, permitting us our moment of unabashed admiration. 

Floating Clouds

The sight that met our eyes was awe-inspiring, and had us hold our breaths. There were tourists and locals, armed with large cameras and mobile phones alike, trying to capture what they could. 

Our driver, Khun Roongroj insisted on capturing our portrait for posterity by this Stone that stands forever and says that we were here, the 5 friends.

A rather handsome monkey decided to put on a show for us, following our car, speed-walking and then stopping by the road to watch us pass. 

As we advanced reluctantly, en route, one of us caught sight of brown moving creatures on the right side of the road. These were deer- occupied, heads bowed and focused on getting through their lunch menu- green, green grass. 

Of course, we had to halt. And then, out of the bushes a lone little deer pranced into our line of vision. 

It was magical. Bambi is what friend Judy called her. Bambi it was. 

Time moved on and we stopped again at a quaint coffee shop. The rains ironically, had made us thirsty. 

Juli had brought along some superb Brownies, with rum butter. How does one resist such like, and with coffee too? We lunged at her box. 

Once at the waterfall, later, we climbed down steep stairs, to be told that we are not allowed to plunge into the stream at the foot of the fall. I was disappointed but was glad to be there with my friends. 

So, as is customary, we danced around the boulders to reach the stream, and sat ourselves at its edge: moments of quietude and absorption passed, despite the milling visitors.

We did it! We were here and we sat at the feet of divine waters flowing freely much like us womenfolk from disparate backgrounds and countries. 

The beautiful weather soaked our spirits in shared bonhomie. 

Photo sessions galore later, we climbed back up via the steep stairs and watched many others make their way down. There were joyous exchanges with passing visitors, who were huffing and puffing both ways- ascent and descent. 

We were offered sumptuous fare at the Chocolate Factory Restaurant afterward. Satiated, we headed back to the resort . The weather was damp, but not particularly humid. It rained off and on. 

In the evening, around 7 pm, we headed off to The Night Market, as recommended. 

This was a food market, not what one might expect; with no local wares to attract us, such as locally-woven baskets and cloths, or artefacts and jewellery and what-have-you, we were disappointed; however, we did manage to get our dinner out of the many local food stalls.

Back at the resort, we chatted into the night with our fresh mushroom, tofu, fish skewers, corn on the cobs, some fruit and wine, and found ourselves drawn into the night’s mellowness. 

The music that played on the resort’s speakers, added to a fine screenplay we were scripting.  Much natter. 

The sky lit up like a gentle lamp that gives of itself generously. 

We were lulled by wine and chatter, night and music, such as a pleasant dream 

that mustn’t end all too soon.  

When we awoke on Day 3, our senses were brought back into focus: a new day had arrived, sounding the knell on our journey home. 

We would soon leave Recall Isaan Isan Concept after a satisfying two-day stay in Khao Yai during the monsoons. 

Our hearts were full. We had bonded over cups of coffee, glasses of fine wine and many deep exchanges on our individual lives. Amidst nature’s generous gifts, a lot of what doesn’t transpire during regular living, can happen when you leave it all behind and embark on a soulful adventure. 

This was one such outing.

The pictures tell a story, and we carry much of it in our hearts back to the routine in Bangkok.

Khao Yai is different at each visit. This was my third, and I assure you that when I return again, I’ll have yet another story to recount.

Bebye

The interiors of our van that had us rocking and rolling.

©kamalininatesan

July14th2022