December 24th saw an assorted bunch of family and freinds arrive at the lodge for an xmas celebration.

Cesare was on hand to provide superb Italian cusine, Tamar and Penny Taylor took care of the traditonal turkey dinner ( + Penny produced amazing pavlovas)

Aey Milne of BakeACake produced phenomenal choclate cake, mince pies and Christmas cake ( her cakes will be on offer @ The Widl Lodge by special order in the New Year)

Coupling this with the bar tending skills of Jordi ( Mohito) the party had everything required for the festive season, except for a Christmas eve Paella feast ,

step up to the plate noted Spanish VW combi driver, Ingnacio Diaz, who pioduced possibly his best ever work facing off against the Benelli Champange Rissotto to give a truly multi national xmas in terms of both cusine and company.

During the daytime those that where feeling a little energetic ran the Khao Ito downhill mountian biking course taking advantage of our on site shuttle to the top and a couple of high ropes sessions were conducted by Dave Milne.

Thanks to all for coming and making this the most memorable at the Lodge yet, hope to see you all next year.

 

 

 

 

Just before Xmas we ran a training course for the team members of the World Society for the Protection of Animals Disaster Response Team.

In addtion to the Emergency First Response program in Bangkok, we ran a residential program at the lodge designed to give  the team a grounding in basic outdoor skills

  We covered rope use and acess on steep ground, and self resuce and basic safety in a swiftwater enviroment.

We used the High Ropes course on site and thenThan Rattana Waterfall and Nakon Nayok whitewater course for situation scenarios.

 

The team is based in Bangkok and was set up in early 2008 to cover disasters in Asia. They were most recently on the ground helping in Burma in the aftermath of Nargis.

We were gald to provide them with some skills that will hopefully be useful to them in the field and look forward to working with them in the future.

A great team and a great bunch of people.

 

Dave Milne and myself stopped at the playwave yesterday on the way up to the lodge on a survey trip, and we found the wave and rapids below carrying 5 times the normal volume of water producing some monster holes/waves.

We got on the water for a short time but were caught out by the lack of eddy service and did not have time to set up a tow rope.

However when we drove on we found out the reason for the huge level, all of the main gates on the dam were open, the first time we have ever seen this. posted a couple of pictures as it is actualy v.impressive.

Will try and get some wave shots on our return tomorrow.

 

Robin

 

Even though the last few days saw the heavisest and most prolonged rains that I can remember, the crew have begun the re roofing of the Hornbill Lodge.

Completion is planned within the next six weeks.

After consultation with the carpenters we have changed the design of the roof to a more traditional hipped style

with a single level, rather than the temporary faux Balinese style that we had previously.

grass thatch will still be used as primary covering, but the ecalyptus spars have been replaced with reclaimed hardwood and the ecalyptus will be repurposed for fencing and our "north shore" style bike trail.

We are pleased to offer all would be scuba divers a special offer for July and September in conjunction with our Dive School Planet Scuba.as we want outdoor enthusiasts to also sample the oceans surrounding Thailand……

Book any scuba diving try out or instruction course in our Bangkok store and mention ‘The Wild Lodge" and you wil receive a 15% discount on the course price.

instruction from Planet Scuba can be scheduled in sessions to fit in with you at no extra charge.

Our scuba diving store,Planet Scuba is holding a clearance sale of last seasons designs.

Full and short wetsuits are avaiable as are a range of rash vests. Ideal protection for any outdoor watersports.

the store is located next to the Emporium Department store and Phrom Pong Skytrain station on Sukhumvit Road. Call 02 2614412 for directions if you are in Bangkok or mail pai@planetscuba.net

in addtion we are alos carrying the new line of ortlieb products with their very useful drybags and waterproof cases.

As all of the rivers are now running at capacity its time for some Northern Whitewater trips. There will be several rafting weekends up to the Mae teng river in late September early October. there will also be a Nam Wa river descent in mid October.

Dates will be confirmed on the site within the next few days.

Rafters require no experience and there will be a few places for kayakers wishing to paddle on these trips, anyone interested please mail. kayakers should have three star skills and a reasonable sucess rate at rolling. kayaks are avaiable for hire.

 

It’s confirmed that avid Mountain biker and outdoor professional Rob Houghton will be coming to the Wild Lodge to conduct mountain biking training courses for riders that wish to hone their bike skills.

Khao Ito just outside the lodge is the perfect training ground for riders and we hope to have our own North Shore style course elements in place at the lodge within the next few months.

Details of courses will be posted on the site as soon as dates are confirmed.