Bicycle Adventures on Kho Kret Island - Bangkok off the beaten path.

How this Adventure started.

My visit to Kho Kret was indeed an adventure and I can say that I have definitely earned the
" T-shirt" for this one.
  As the Songkran Holidays arrived I thought it would be great to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Thus, I decided to go to Kho Kret.
I  also had a pretty easy plan to get there or so I thought.  But as with all things in life my straight lined plan had a few curves, to say the least.

 My starting point was at the Prah Atit Pier. (One of the many piers along the Choa Praya River) 
 I boarded the express ferry (cost only fifteen baths) all the way down to Nonthaburi Pier which is the last stop on this route.

Once I got to Nonthaburi Pier my plan started to unravel a little.  I wanted to take a taxi boat to the Island but first of all did not think it would be that pricy, secondly,
 I did not expect such a small size boat to take me there and thirdly I did not really do much research ahead of the trip to know about other ways of transport there.

   I almost abandoned my plans for the day, but being the eternal adventurer, I finally decided to go ahead and take the taxi boat.

Taxi boat

Before I got on the boat I tried to haggle about the price, not that I have any decent haggling skills but I had to try at least.   I  eventually came to an agreement with the skipper for a return ticket of 600 baths.

Taking into account that it is 10 km down the river and he promised to wait for me until I finished exploring, I'd say it was a reasonable deal.

 Getting on the boat was quite scary - I thought it would tip over.  Instinctively, I ran a checklist in my head on how to swim out of this enormous river if something happens. It turned out I did not need to have any fears. The skipper was indeed very skilled to navigate this little boat on the river and had been doing this all his life.
 There I was a woman alone on a  little boat on the Chao Praya River with the wind in my hair, trusting a stranger to get me there safely.  

As we progressed along the river I gradually started to relax and enjoyed the spectacular views that I am sure not many get to see.

Map in English and Thai

Brief History of Kho Kret.
For centuries the Chao Phraya river was the primary method of transportation of people and moving of products.

 As the river snaked its way down the landscape to the sea it was an enormous and laborious task to navigate from point A to point B.
In the early 1700s, a bypass was needed to speed up access along the river. People from the Mon Hill tribe then started to dig trenches that would eventually be widened and spread.
This caused a piece of land in the old loop of the river to be cut off from the mainland, creating an island large enough to eventually house seven villages in the middle of the river.

Thus, the Mon tribe which is an indigenous hill tribe from Northen Thailand settled along the riverfront and occupied much of the newly formed island.

The isolation of Kho Kret from the rest of the northern counterparts has turned it into a unique branch of the Mon tribe with its own unique food, crafts and culture. Today the Mon tribe still inhabits this island and it is indeed a unique and special place.

Getting around on Kho Kret
Once you are on the island there are many things to see and do.  There are several small, quaint villages scattered around the island. It is quite easy to get around by foot or bicycle. No cars are allowed on the island. Kho Kret is bigger than it looks and I would say at least 7 - 8 km's around.  Most villages have narrow paths or alleys and it is practical to use a bicycle to get a good look around. Riding or walking will also give you a good idea about the local lifestyle and culture.

Most Practical way to get around is by Bicycle

A local on her bicycle

Narrow streets

Temples 
There are quite a few Buddhist temples to visit. Most interestingly, there is a Buddhist Stupa which has a slight twist and started sinking into the river. Reinforcements were made that saved the stupa and now it looks a bit like the leaning tower of Pisa. It is known to be an Iconic Stupa amongst Thais.

The Iconic Stupa.

Famous handcraft and pottery 
Within the villages, you will find the pottery that the Mon tribe are famous for. As I passed through the houses most people were busy in their workshops and I was invited to have a look.  Watching the wet clay pot spinning on the kick wheel was mesmerizing. As I was standing there looking at this rustic scene I had a sense that life is uncomplicated here and it has always been like that

Pottery artist going about his day like life has always been.

Food and cute coffee shops

Intertwined in the alleyways and other scenic routes there are many cute restaurants and coffee shops to explore.  I love the way these shops are decorated. It has a real artistic vibe. There are also many snacks available to choose from at the markets and no matter where you are refreshments are never far away. Unfortunately, I did not stop at any restaurants this time but it is already on my list for the next visit.

Artistic decor everywhere

Nature.

Nature is in abundance. The Island has a lush tropical landscape all around.  It is the perfect place for nature lovers who want to get out of Bangkok for a day. 

Bicycle track
The bicycle track circles around the Island and there are plenty of places to stop, rest and take pictures or get some refreshments.  I veered off the path many times, got lost a couple of times and explored a lot. I love the fact that it is so open and free to roam around on a bicycle. Bicycles can be rented for 40 baths at many shops around the Island.

My recommendations
Kho Kret is definitely off the beaten track and now that I know how it is, I  want to return soon.  I spend about 3 hours there and mostly on the bicycle exploring all the beautiful views. I had a few conversations with other cyclists I met on my way and we are all in agreement that Kho Kret is something different from the normal tourist route and everybody loved it.
The people are friendly and the overall vibe is very laid back. It's is like time is standing still a bit.
If you are in Bangkok and looking for something different to do, this is the place to go to.
 It is unique, it has history, culture, food and abundance of beautiful nature.

Pottery

Useful Advice.
*Slap on a lot of sunblock cream, wear a sun hat and take some water with you if you plan to go cycling.

* There is an easier way to get there. You can take a taxi to Pakret Pier and from there a ferry for
   two baths will take you across to Kho Kret or you can choose the more adventurous route like I did.

*Alternatively you can also ask assistance at your hotel or guest house.

One of the many paths to explore

The last word
I really enjoyed the whole adventure and are already planning my next trip there and this time I want to explore the food and the local craft beer brewery.
The best part of the day was when I got back on the little boat and headed back to Bangkok knowing that I had a truly unique experience.
At that moment with the river breeze blowing in my face and the spray of the water on my skin I was grateful for the day's adventures and grateful to be alive.

Happy Travels

M

Beautiful scenery

A Spirit house