I was invited by a good friend, Joyce, to go with her to Trang last week. Trang is one of the southern provinces of Thailand and is approximately 3-4 hours away from Phuket by car. We left at around 6pm and since it was already dark, she had to drive safely. We arrived at around 10 pm.
We stayed in Trang Grand Mansion which was a comfortable and very basic lodging house. I forgot to take a photo of our room, since we were so tired and sleepy.
On our first morning, we drove to a sub district of Trang which is called Huai Yot. It was about an hour drive from where we stayed. Seeing the entrance, I thought its just another boring cave that we have to walk through. I was definitely in for a surprise.
Our host paid for our trip and so I was not able to know how much the fee was. According to internet sources, it is 200THB per boat trip. We boarded a small boat with the driver in the front and the guide at the back. It took almost 10 minutes before we arrived at the entrance of the cave.
According to sources, Tham Le Khao Kob is a tourist attraction of the area concealed under a huge single limestone mountain surrounded by a stream that also runs through it. Upon entrance to this cave, we were asked to lie down.
We had to get off the boat at different parts of the cave to explore the area. The guide only spoke Thai and so my friend had to translate for me. We had to alternately walk or ride and lie down to reach different parts of the cave.
There were different grottos inside. The developers/ care takers of this cave had colored lights installed in the area, this explains the different lightings. They did a good job in making sure that the place is clean and safe for the tourists to walk through.
A million of stalactites and stalagmites can be seen. Sadly some of them have been somewhat torn off. Maybe by previous visitors?
The stones at the sides of my head resembles those of an elephant's foot. It is said that if one wishes to have good health, they must pass in between this pair.
What is ultimately amazing with this cave is the way to the exit. Our guide asked us to lie flat for the full 350 meters. I was surprised of how the boat was just fit enough to pass thru the stone formation. The passage way for the boat was becoming narrower, our guide cannot even paddle and so used his strength and pushed from the stones above. It was very dark that we were entirely dependent on the flashlight the guide had.
It was a long journey to the exit. I even had to turn my head a few times because the stone was literally millimeters away from my face! I was praying hard that no earthquake would occur otherwise I don't know if I will see light again. From what I read online, passing through the hole is an auspicious activity as if going through the backbone of a dragon. The guide even pointed to a stone shaped like that of a human (or dragon's) heart that he mentioned would bring good luck with business if touched. My happiness was brimming when we reached the outside world again.
Definitely the boat-cave ride of my life! If I had known what I would be going thru beforehand, I must have chickened out. But then it was overall an exciting and nerve-wrecking unexpected memorable experience I'd recommend.
On our first morning, we drove to a sub district of Trang which is called Huai Yot. It was about an hour drive from where we stayed. Seeing the entrance, I thought its just another boring cave that we have to walk through. I was definitely in for a surprise.
Our host paid for our trip and so I was not able to know how much the fee was. According to internet sources, it is 200THB per boat trip. We boarded a small boat with the driver in the front and the guide at the back. It took almost 10 minutes before we arrived at the entrance of the cave.
our host (in blue), me and the guide at my back
sailing towards the cave's entrance
the entrance to the cave
We had to get off the boat at different parts of the cave to explore the area. The guide only spoke Thai and so my friend had to translate for me. We had to alternately walk or ride and lie down to reach different parts of the cave.
(upon entrering the cave)
There were different grottos inside. The developers/ care takers of this cave had colored lights installed in the area, this explains the different lightings. They did a good job in making sure that the place is clean and safe for the tourists to walk through.
A million of stalactites and stalagmites can be seen. Sadly some of them have been somewhat torn off. Maybe by previous visitors?
The stones at the sides of my head resembles those of an elephant's foot. It is said that if one wishes to have good health, they must pass in between this pair.
What is ultimately amazing with this cave is the way to the exit. Our guide asked us to lie flat for the full 350 meters. I was surprised of how the boat was just fit enough to pass thru the stone formation. The passage way for the boat was becoming narrower, our guide cannot even paddle and so used his strength and pushed from the stones above. It was very dark that we were entirely dependent on the flashlight the guide had.
It was a long journey to the exit. I even had to turn my head a few times because the stone was literally millimeters away from my face! I was praying hard that no earthquake would occur otherwise I don't know if I will see light again. From what I read online, passing through the hole is an auspicious activity as if going through the backbone of a dragon. The guide even pointed to a stone shaped like that of a human (or dragon's) heart that he mentioned would bring good luck with business if touched. My happiness was brimming when we reached the outside world again.
Definitely the boat-cave ride of my life! If I had known what I would be going thru beforehand, I must have chickened out. But then it was overall an exciting and nerve-wrecking unexpected memorable experience I'd recommend.
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