Jungle Getaway in the Green Lung

"What do you want to do this week?" I asked my wife over coffee. "I've got three days off."

Pinky's schedule is a little unusual. She works four very long days with three days off in the middle of the week. My schedule isn't as predictable. I try to take my days off when she has hers, but it isn't always possible. This week, I ended up with three full days off as well.

"We should go to Bang Krachao!", she suggested. She tasked me with finding a hotel as she left to head to work.

The next morning, we took a taxi to Wat Bang Na Nok Pier and were soon crossing the river to Bang Krachao.

Bang Krachao is also known as the "Green Lung of Bangkok" is a lush, man-made island formed by a sweeping bend in the Chao Phraya River and protected as a designated green conservation zone. Bang Krachao makes a fantastic day trip just a short ferry ride away from the chaos and bustle of Bangkok.

A few minutes later, we had arrived on the other side of the river at Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok Pier. We had booked one night at one of the many small guest houses tucked away on the Green Lung's network of boardwalks and jungle paths. You can rent a bike from any number of shops in the little village surrounding the temple, but since our guesthouse was only five minutes away by foot, we decided to walk.

It's incredible how different just a short ferry ride can make you feel. Stepping off the boat was like stepping into the jungle. 

We were surrounded by greenery and quiet, save for the buzzing of insects, the songs of tropical birds all around us, and the gentle lapping of the river against the mangroves. After even just a few minutes in the Green Lung, I had started to feel my stress melting away.

I've said it so many times before: I love living in the big city, but at least once a month, it's important to get out. We've both been very busy lately, and a quiet night away (even though we were technically still in Bangkok) would do us good.

We hadn't eaten yet, so when we passed a very inviting restaurant with a sign advertising its Michelin awards, we decided it was time for lunch.

Toh Daeng, meaning "Read Table", is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in Phuket serving upscale southern Thai home cooking. It turns out that they have recently opened a new branch in Bangkok and decided to build it in the Green Lung!

We ordered mee krob, a dish made from crispy fried vercelli noodles mixed with a sticky, sweet tamarind sauce and served with four big, juicy shrimp. The dish comes from the restaurant owner's family's 100-year-old recipe!

For the main course, we had moo hong and southern Thai-style roti. Moo hong is a southern Thai pork belly stew slow cooked over six hours in a blend of Thai herbs and Chinese five-spice. The pork was incredibly tender and the broth was delicious, especially when served with the soft, flaky flatbread.

It was time to check in to the hotel. We were staying at the Bangkok Treetops, an eco-resort surrounded by thick jungle. We had a refreshing butterfly pea tea welcome drink, and headed to our room, a narrow three-story structure with a rooftop sun deck.

We had a quiet evening at the hotel. My wife is studying for an upcoming exam, so she brought her textbooks and coursework with her. I carried my Kindle and spent some time catching up on my reading. I really needed the chance to unplug!

I was up before the dawn the next morning, and after making myself a cup of coffee, headed upstairs to the sundeck to watch the sunrise and look for birds. The jungle around me was alive with the chirps, songs, and calls of so many different tropical species. Shortly, Pinky joined me.

We didn't end up seeing anything that we hadn't seen before, but we did spot some birds that are very rare back in the city! I was especially excited to see a pair of teal and white Collared Kingfishers!

During breakfast at the hotel's cafe, we even spotted a Pink-Necked Green Pigeon in the trees! It was a tea-green female and really blended in with the foliage. It's funny how birding can make you feel excited even about spotting a pigeon.

After a late breakfast, we crossed the river back into Bangkok. It hadn't been an adventure... quite the opposite in fact. Our getaway to the Green Lung was just what we needed, though: a peaceful escape and chance to recharge surrounded by nature. Just what the doctor ordered.