Relaxed from a few days on the beaches of Ko Phi Phi, we drove to Khao Sok National Park, a jungle reserve in southern Thailand. I've always wanted to spend a night on Cheow Lan Lake in a floating raft house (weird, I know) among the massive limestone cliffs that jut out of the teal water everywhere you look. We booked an overnight lake trip and were off early in the morning!

As soon as we boarded a boat to explore the Cheow Lan Lake area, we were in awe of the sheer size and beauty of the rock formations all around us.

Stunning rock formations on Cheow Lan Lake.

We stopped to check in and have lunch at our raft house after our morning boat ride.

plernprai rafthouse cheow lan lake thailand

Less a house, more a tiny room with mattresses.  I asked Stephen to see if the bathroom had a shower, so he opened the door at the back of our hut to check it out and almost fell into the water!  Someone forgot to mention the shared b… — Less a house, more a tiny room with mattresses. I asked Stephen to see if the bathroom had a shower, so he opened the door at the back of our hut to check it out and almost fell into the water! Someone forgot to mention the shared bathroom facilities are at the end of the dock - oops!

After lunch and a swim, we headed back out to hike and check out some caves.

In the middle of our hike, we boarded one of those bamboo boats to reach the jungle caves.

Inside a cave.  The stalagmites and stalactites sparkled in the light.  It was incredible. — Inside a cave. The stalagmites and stalactites sparkled in the light. It was incredible.

Is that ice cream or stalagmites? — Is that ice cream or stalagmites?

Checking out the cave ceiling for bats.  Pay Stephen's backpack sweat no mind. — Checking out the cave ceiling for bats. Pay Stephen's backpack sweat no mind.

Back on the trail, we came across a ton of wildlife.  In addition to monkeys, tarantulas, and spider-eating lizards, we found this furry caterpillar. — Back on the trail, we came across a ton of wildlife. In addition to monkeys, tarantulas, and spider-eating lizards, we found this furry caterpillar.

Our crazy guide decided to pick up a GIANT spider and play with it.

Post-hike, we piled back into our boat to head to the raft house for the night. We were able to observe how many people live on the lake as well.

A man in his home, a small raft house on the lake.

Another row of raft houses on Cheow Lan Lake.

Arriving back at our raft house for a pretty epic sunset. — Arriving back at our raft house for a pretty epic sunset.

Sleeping in the raft house was very peaceful - kind of like a water bed. After 11pm, there is no electricity, so everyone pretty much goes to sleep (or skinny dips).

The next morning, we got up early for a monkey safari and kayaking trip.