{"id":3575,"date":"2011-07-19T00:00:52","date_gmt":"2011-07-18T17:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mb.rivulet.org\/journal\/?p=3575"},"modified":"2015-11-17T13:54:41","modified_gmt":"2015-11-17T12:54:41","slug":"unseen-thailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mb.rivulet.org\/journal\/2011\/07\/19\/unseen-thailand\/","title":{"rendered":"Unseen Thailand – Scooter ride!"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a delicious breakfast at May & Marks (they have dark rye bread there!) I decided to rent a scooter and explore a part of the Krabi mainland region. More specific: The Tiger Cave Temple, the Hot Spring Waterfall, and the Crystal Lagoon. Ai (from the the Good Dream Guesthouse<\/a>) spontaneously decided to join ’cause the Tiger Cave Temple is not only a touristic attraction but visited regularly for praying by locals too. Off we went.<\/p>\n

\"On<\/a>
On the way...<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am not sure if it was the first time on a scooter in my whole life but definitely the first in a long long time. Adding the facts, that I had another person behind me and that they are driving on the wrong side in Thailand it is quite surprising, that I am still alive and writing these lines ;-) Especially as the left-side-driving-rule does apparently not mean, that there are no motorbikes or even a caterpillar approaching you on your side of the road (yes, I was driving on the left side). Luckily, the locals drive especially considerate once they see that a falang is at the wheel. Thanks!<\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>
What a view.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a short time, we arrived at the Tiger Cave Temple. 1237 steps to go, which would normally not be too much. But at 35 degrees Celsius and a felt humidity of 100% it was a bit of a challenge. However, we finally arrived at the top and were rewarded with an amazing view of the surrounding landscape. These karst rocks are just impressive.<\/p>\n

\"On<\/a>
On the way down. A monkey family.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Back down we offered some joss sticks, flowers and oil at the Temple of Guan Yim (the Goddess of Compassion, Mercy and Kindness<\/a>). And met a German couple who decided to join us for the rest of the trip. After a pit stop to get some fuel and a piece of food we scootered away. Which was great fun after we left the main road and entered a rural road into the countryside. Far less traffic and more curves. Woohooo :-)<\/p>\n

\"Temple<\/a>
Temple of Guan Yim.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then we arrived at the Hot Spring Waterfall. A lot of natural stone pools to sit in fed by a hot artesian well. Especially soothing after the climb at the Tiger Cave Temple. The water was really hot. Great that there was a cold river just beside the pools. So I spent quite a while hopping from the hot pools to the cold river and back. Awesome!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Hot Spring Waterfall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As it was already late we decided to skip the Crystal Lagoon and headed directly back to Krabi, but made a short detour to Ao Noang, a stretch of beach close by. We intended to watch the sunset there, but we either left too late (my opinion) or I was driving to slow (Ai’s opinion ;-) and so we missed it. However, it was still a beautiful evening mood there and a nice ending of this day. We said goodbye to the German couple and went back to Krabi, where Ai took me to a typical Thai restaurant with delicious food.<\/p>\n

\"Sunset<\/a>
Sunset at Ao-Nang-Beach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thanks Ai for joining me on this trip, for all the fun, the warning shouts when I was attempting to drive on the wrong side, and for being the boss this day ;-) Kob Khun Krap!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whoop, whoop!
\nMichael<\/p>\n