t-Globe Triathlon to the Lagoon Cave

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The new view point at the top of the road of 100 bends is a welcome rest stop. There is a parking area and a shrine of a hermit.

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Wat Khiri Wong is the retreat of hermit monks. At the parking beside the road a group of quite active monkeys are begging for food. After passing the tunnel through the mountain a tropical garden comes into view. Several kutis (huts) for monks are built here, in an absolutely quiet tropical garden location.

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The Lagoon Cave is situated in Ao Luk District in Krabi Province. It is actually a part of Than Bok Khorani National Park. But there is nobody here to collect an entrance fee. The Lagoon Cave is entered from the tidal mangrove river Tha Pring. The entrance in the sheer cliff is about 10 meters wide and 5 meters high. The cave is well lit by natural light. After 30 meters easy paddling you reach the lagoon behind the cave. The lagoon is surrounded by steep cliffs covered in dense vegetation. Some palm trees create a surrealistic impression. The main attraction is a stalactite formation that looks like a life size elephant from behind giving birth to a baby elephant.
The Lagoon Cave is not on the itinerary of the mass tourist excursions, thus it is still only rarely visited, although it is much more impressive than Tham Lot or Tham Pee Hua To.

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Tham Muerd is the Thai name for "Dark Cave". This extensive cave is situated in Ao Luk District in Krabi Province, actually in Than Bok Khorani National Park. The wide entrance is right in the sheer cliff of a huge wall. After a few meters the cave becomes really dark and headlamps are necessary to find your way. There are no obstacles in the way, though, so it is easy to paddle the 100 meters to the exit. There you are in the midst of a mangrove forest surrounded by steep limestone walls. Many stalactites are hanging from these walls presenting an impressive sight.

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Tham Lot is situated in Ao Luk District in Krabi Province. It is accessed from the tidal mangrove river Tha Pring. This cave with its lovely stalactites is worth a visit. It is no way as interesting as other caves in the area.
The best time to go is at high tide.

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Tham Pee Hua To is just 500 meters from Tham Lot and surrounded by mangrove swamps.
There are two different paths inside the cave. On the left lies the shortcut to the back of the cave where sunlight shines through, and on the right is a path to a natural hall believed to have been a shelter for prehistoric people. Prehistoric paintings of men and animals. Numerous seashells can be seen in the cave.

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The fishing village Bang Pat is built on stilts at the edge of a mangrove forest with great views of the Phang Nga Bay. The access road from the highway H415 ends after 10 km on a large parking area. From there a long walkway and motorcycle bridge leads to the village on the other side of the tidal river. The main walkway leads to the left passing various shops and terraces where the fisher folk tend to their business. All inhabitants of the fishing village are very friendly muslims whose traditional occupation are various forms of farming fish and sea shells. At the end of the walkway are several restaurants on the seaside. The most famous and busiest restaurant is the Bang Pat Homestay Restaurant. Especially at weekends hundreds of Thais come here in groups to enjoy the absolutely fresh and delicious seafood dishes. The variety of dishes placed on the large tables is just stupendous. From here you can also make your Phang Nga Bay trip as far as James Bond Island, with a much more individual note. Just ask the owner of the restaurant. He will arrange everything while you are feasting.

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Sa Nang Manora Forest Park covers a total area of 180 rai. It has a topography of limestone mountains running northeast to southwest and covered with rain forest.

There is an Oyster Shell Cave about 1,300 meters from the forestry park office. Inside the cave is an oyster grave yard. The Bat Dung Cave is about 2,300 meters from the park office. This cave is bigger than the Oyster Shell Cave and many bats live here. The paths to these caves are not too steep so it is easy to walk to them. Kaeo is a large cave which is 3 km from the park office and 1,500 meters from the Bat Dung Cave. Inside are beautiful glittering stalagmite and stalactite formations.

Sa Nang Manora Forest Park is situated inside the Khao Thoi Nang Hong National Forest Reserve area in Tambon Nop Pring.

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Wat Khao Thao is an unobtrusive temple mostly overlooked by the wayside. Maybe some travelers take a look at the golden Buddha statue on a pedestal. In a modern hall the nine postures of the Buddha can be seen, too. Not really spectacular. But... the uniqueness of this temple opens only up to the intrepid traveler who moves along the rock cliff to the right. The statues here are of an originality only rarely seen in Thailand. Take your time and admire the local folk who have created these local style pieces of art.

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The Thap Put Fresh Market (Talad Sod) is the main market in Thap Put where the locals buy their fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, chicken and seafood in the early morning. By 10 o'clock most stalls are vacated. For the foreigner there is still a large variety of produce to be seen. The main purpose to come here at this time is to buy some snacks for the bike trip of the t-Globe Triathlon.

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Bo Tho Seafood offers tasty Thai dishes. Moreover the restaurant rents kayaks. Also guided kayal tours can be booked here.

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The Bang Pat Homestay Restaurant is situated in the fishing village Bang Pat which is built on stilts at the edge of a mangrove forest with great views of the Phang Nga Bay. The access road from the highway H415 ends after 10 km on a large parking area with free parking. From there a long walkway and motorcycle bridge leads to the village on the other side of the tidal river. The main walkway leads to the left passing various shops and ends at the Bang Pat Homestay Restaurant. Especially at weekends hundreds of Thais come here in groups to enjoy the absolutely fresh and delicious seafood dishes. The variety of dishes placed on the large tables is just stupendous. From here you can also make your Phang Nga Bay trip as far as James Bond Island, with a much more individual note. Just ask the owner of the restaurant. He will arrange everything while you are feasting.

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RD: On 7 of February 2014 the first "t-Globe Triathlon" was created spontaneously at 4 pm in Ban Bang Pat next to the Bay of Phang Nga.
This triathlon was performed with 2 tourists (Carsten Rose [CR] and Marlen Bolle) and 2 residents (Joerg and Richard), 4 guides (Nok, Sa, Noom and Mr. Oad) and 2 drivers. 6 of them went kayaking at Lagoon Cave and Tham Muerd for 1400 Baht per person. The total cost for outside services was 3300 Baht per tourist plus 1400 Baht per guide with kayak. The food for the guides in Bang Pat Homestay Restaurant was complimentary.
The spontaneous change of the program from Biking in the afternoon to Swimming in Sa Nang Manora Forest Park was very welcome. For the most energetic bikers there is an appendix of 6 km which leads from the forest park partly off-road through rubber plantations.
The new program was spontaneously termed "Triathlon" (3 sport activities). It turned out to become a very excellent tour program which everybody enjoyed.
We believe that it will become a highlight of all tours in Khao Lak area.

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