Saturday, September 6, 2008

Tiger Temple, Emerald Pond, and Hot Springs!


On Saturday GVI Expedition Members (EMs) had a day long adventure away from the expedition base in Ao Luk. First stop was the Tiger Temple, a popular forest monastery and meditation location in Krabi. Highlights are the Buddha Image at the top of a towering karst mountain overlooking the region and an old growth rainforest located in a hidden valley. The EMs had the choice of 2 hikes. The first was a grueling but rewarding 1,237 step to the Buddha image at the top, complete with chattering monkeys and an amazing 360 degree of the province below.

The second hike was a stroll through the old growth rainforest filled with hidden caverns, little huts where Buddhist monks and nuns reside, and giant 1,000 trees with amazing plank buttresses.


If the adventure at the Tiger Temple cave wasn't enough, EMs continued on to the rural sub district of Klong Thom, known for it's crystal mineral waters and ancient glass and clay beads. Lunch was taken at the Emerald Pond where EMs had the opportunity to stroll along a boardwalk through the jungle to an amazingly crystal clear pond, the color of fine jewels.




Next it was off to the Hot Springs. The hot mineral water flows through the park and creates little pools perfect for bathing before flowing down into a cold river.

After a quick stop in Krabi EMs either headed off for a weekend adventure in Ao Nang or headed back to Ao Luk to enjoy the quiet! All in all it was a fab weekend!

Share/Save/Bookmark

0 comments: