We had a little bit later start to the day on that we had planned as Sophie was working on a food science project (which we all enjoyed for lunch). On our way to the park we check the time discovering it closed at 3 PM which was the time Google map estimated we would arrive. We decided to go anyway, in hopes that we would still be able to get in, we were already partway there and google maps are not as reliable in Thailand. When hen we arrived, we had no problem it was to our advantage to be there later in the day. To reach the famous cave, the most photographed site in Thailand, you take a five-minute boat ride around the peninsula covered in dense jungle. The boats are wide flat bottom boats propelled by an interesting engines. It looks like an old car engine drives the propeller and this is held out into the water on a 3-meter shafts. Our first boat sounded like it was working very hard, it trailed behind the other boats. The boats cannot get close shore with the tide out; thus you wade through the water up to your kneesm, with the occasional wave hitting high thigh.
We were dropped off at a beautiful white sand beach with waving palms. We hiked about a kilometre, mostly up a steep, rough stone path, climbing through the jungle. You then begin to descend rough stone steps into a majestic, huge, cavernous caves. It was striking that the caverns were massive (as large as a large sports arena) with an “unsupported roof”. There were many stalagmites and stalactites and in a few places where they joined to form large columns. Wide openings in the ceiling of the cave allowed plants and trees to grow. A rock bridge, that no one would dare cross, was visible between the two large openings. There is a dry waterfall, the water contained such high sediment petrified. Going through to the next cavern you see there is a four-gable roofed royal pavilion called Phra Thinang Khuha Kharuhat, built in 1890 for King Rama V’s visits. A description of the three Thai kings honoured at the cave. As we arrived toward the end of the day we were able to explore these caverns on our own!
On the way down from the cave, we met a wonderful family of Dusky Langur. I was thrilled to see the baby. It is ginger orange in colour, while its older siblings have all turned grey a sign of maturity. We were able to observe them in close proximity playing wrestling and grooming each other. I have some wonderful pictures and videos, my family became restless as I had a hard time leaving them.
On another lovely hot day, Alastair and I headed out on the motorbike to revisit another area of this Park at a different site. This provided an opportunity for Alastair to take me on some of the out of the way country roads he had been exploring on the bike for some amazing scenery. We then travelled to the Bueng Boa Boardwalk; it travels over a freshwater marsh. It provides spectacular views, with a unique opportunity to see some interesting bird species. This park contains the largest marsh land in Thailand and there has been renewed interest in how important marsh land is for ecological diversity.
