The Monkeys of Khaothong
Khaothong 2/9/2025-2/12/2025
The over arching theme of this trip has been to go with the flow. Embrace the flow.
We had a bus booked that was set to leave at 9 am and arrive to Krabi at 11 am. Pretty sure we arrived to our hostel around 3 that afternoon. After getting on a bus, getting told to get off and wait for a different bus, them telling people to get off them bus to let other people on, we were making out way south towards Khaothong (sounds like cow thong, imagine how big a thong for a cow would have to be lol). On the bus, we made a stop at a 7-eleven and we split a spinach and ham cheese toasty and I finally had a coffee. For an unexpectedly long journey, I was so happy that I was able to appreciate little things like this. Also helps that the views along the drive were stunning.
Since we arrived later than we were expecting, we didn’t have to wait around to check in. The photos I saw online didn’t capture how gorgeous this place was. There were little bamboo bungalows that stretched along the property. As we were getting shown to our bungalow, I said, “Wow, I hope we get to see some monkeys” and the lady showing assured me this would not be an issue in the slightest. There was a main hangout/restaurant spot in the center of things. There was a slack line between two palm trees that I could even stand on with out shaking like a leaf. And there was a long pier that went out 100 yards towards the water.
When we entered this place, there was a total zen vibe that washed over us. Maybe it was the first time we had been away from a town or a busy main road. Being drawing into this mellow world, we didn’t have the need to go and see and do everything this area had to offer but rather enjoy the place we were staying in.
Hanging out the first night, there were two dogs then three dogs then a cat, then two cats. There were five dogs in total and I don’t even know how many cats there were. I did not even question the need for all of these animals to be running around the place. The first night as the day approached dusk, everyone would gathered at the end of the pier to watch the sunset. This is when my fear of not seeing monkeys vanished. Looking into the mangrove trees there was a swarm of monkeys that seemed to be passing through. Some hanging out enjoying the sunset with us. Some playing in the water. I had never seen so many monkeys so close before. I was so fascinated by them I would just watch them and observe them for as long as they would stick around. So weirdly human like and but yet so foreign. They would also just bang out in the open like all the time. I would be watching this adorable little monkey family and two seconds later they would be getting after it. And its not like I'm a creep or nothing, I wasn't going out of my way to see this, they would just be getting down on the pier as I'm trying to cross. It was funny the first few times but after a while I was like get a room, jeez. I also realized the reason for all the animals at the hostel is to keep the monkeys away from the restaurant. If you were eating or drinking anything outside the main area, then you better keep your head on a swivel because monkeys will straight up take your food if you're not looking.
I would say a good portion of this stay was to recharge and take a break from the go go go mentality we had the week prior. A lot of our time was spent just chilling, going on walks, watching the sunsets, and enjoying each other's company. There was this really cute family run restaurant up the road from us that we went to everyday. Every time we left the restaurant the lady running it would say, "See you tomorrow." It was very sweet until our last day when we knew we wouldn't see her tomorrow.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows. The bed we had was rock solid so I wasn't getting the best sleep. If you had to pee in the middle of the night, you were gonna see a cockroach in the room scurrying around. Sometimes there were frogs in the shower just watching you. There was a mosque pretty close to the hostel that would blast someone singing "Allahu Akbar" periodically starting at 5 in the morning till about 8 or 9 at night. It was hard to find a cup of coffee. All that being said, this was the first place I wasn't ready to leave. I would miss my monkey friends.
Something that was nuts was the rise and fall of the tides. When it was dead low tide you could walk half a mile out into the water as still only be in knee deep water. I should have tried to see if I could have walked to another island but I guess I'll try that next time. When it was high tide you could swim off of the pier. The water would come all the way up through the mangrove trees to the manmade wall at the hostel.
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