Welcome to the jungle/Stairway to heaven

Thursday February 21st

No I didn't go to a Guns n Roses or Led Zepplin tribute concert. Today was a jungle and caves trek. Explains the first part, the second part will have to wait. The day began with the usual pick up, not too early this time. On this trip were a Swedish couple and two Ukrainian women. They were actually doing an elephant trek as well, I didn't bother because I'd already been on an elephant.

Anyway the beginning of the day was pretty good, I got to go into a cave system while the others were on their elephants. It was a tight squeeze through the entrance, but one in it was fairly spacious. Of course taking photos was a bit tricky, only the guide had a torch (they should have said bring your own in the brochure - I never thought about it). Also I probably should have remembered to take off my sunglasses while underground.

Anyway as part of that, and then afterwards were a few jungle treks that I guess added up to about 7 or 8 K. The last one involved a fair amount of climbing as we went up alongside a series of waterfalls. We also saw some massive trees, over 1000 years old. Didn't see too much wildlife on the trek, but I did see a snake or lizard which got away before I could photo it.

As for my companions, the Swedish couple were a bit reserved, and I don't think it was what they were expecting. They seemed to have a complaint at the end. As for the Ukrainians, their English was as bad as my Ukrainian (almost) so conversation was hard. It turned out they were mother and daughter (I'd guessed) and that was about as much as I got. The younger one was pretty good looking, but smoked a hell of a lot. (At this point I think I'll raise a quick rant is coming at some point about the amount of backpackers that smoke. I'll leave it for tomorrow.) And it was the mother that was more interested in talking to me.

Anyway that was the jungle part, the last bit of the trip (after a massive lunch) was a trip to the Tiger Cave Temple. I was a bit skeptical about this, I've seen enough temples, and to be honest would have been happy without it, but that is before we got there. The highlight isn't the temple, its getting to one part of it. Our guide points us at a staircase and you see the sign 1237 steps to the top. Now I'm trying to do the math (15 stairs = 1 story, this is about 80 stories!) but I did come for a bit of trekking, and a big climb up stairs is better than hanging around a temple. So off I head.

After 400 steps I began to question the wisdom of this, after 650 I nearly decided to turn around. But at that point the Ukrainians caught up with me and stupid macho pride meant I wasn't giving up. I stayed with them until 850 steps, then I fell about 50 behind them, but I still made it up. I was impressed with their stamina, but they had had the sense to leave their bags in the bus, I stupidly was carrying an extra couple of kilos up there.

Overall it took 33 minutes to get up there. In comparison the Empire State building has 1860 steps, but they are all of even height, and probably average about 6 or 7 inches in height. These were of all different heights, some up to 18 inches high. I'd say it was slightly more than 80 stories, but I can't find any accurate details of what the height is.

Once up there the view was magnificent, although you need 5 minutes to recover. There is a full temple covering the top of the mountain (one of the limestone kaarsts that I've been seeing everywhere) but its the view that is awe inspiring. Hence Stairway to Heaven. I'll post some photos to show it.

After that it was going down. This took 16 1/2 minutes, and was more frightening than going up, although it was easier. By the time I got down my legs were like jelly. I am going to feel them tomorrow. I decided to stay an extra day in Ao Nang to recover.

Didn't do much in the evening, just met some people from Devon and had a chat with them.