Trip 3: The Caves of Khao Yoi

Even from afar you can see the remarkable rock block of Khao Yoi the surrounding flat rice fields as a bizarre hump sticking out. At his feet lies the temple complex of Wat Kuti , magnificent building completely made of teak are its.

The walls have beautiful carvings are engraved, which represent the stages of the life of Buddha, and the door panels include interlocking wooden ornaments in excellent craftsmanship.

An initially designed with marble staircase leads up to "Tham Sawan" , the paradise cave . Unfortunately, the climb is a little paradise, because the stairs are over with heruntergefallenem leaves, broken branches and covered all Affenkot difficult to walk. This blow to the visitor smelling Miefwolken of the legacies of monkeys against severe. In general you should have the shady trees in hand over hand around the escorts accompanying wild Makakenbanden firmly in mind. There are intrusive grabber, no fear of close physical distance to know them.

The entrance to the cave itself is not even recognizable, but fortunately there is a sign out.

About adventurous, almost vertical steel ladders, it goes down. Below is a mighty boulder blocked the entrance and asked the visitor acrobatic Bückübungen.

Through a completely darkened pit groping you down further and get into a cave, in the fall for a high altitude light hole. On a platform on which all piled out of rock quarry stone cairns are small, we arrive at a rock cliff and a rock-cut departure. Gently palpate in the dark down the steps. Below you will reach a large dark cavern, which only gets in their rear area of a narrow rocky gap some light. But it is not enough to illuminate the interior of the cave well. In respect to outline a platform with two gilded Buddha statues, which are wrapped in a red cloth. After the eyes have adjusted to the darkness, we see that it is probably an altar. Incense stand around, candles and an offering bowl, and a dusty Betteppich invites you to worship. Now we discover also sideways huge stalactite. It is cool in the cave, but not humid and the air does not smell musty.

After we climbed out again, one can next door, the Tham Khao Yoi, visit a Buddhist prayer cave.

According to tradition, King Rama IV was held here his meditation exercises, and even several days in the cave used to. Tham Khao Yoi which is actually a continuous cave formation. Several tomb-like caves are at different levels together. You can go up to clean brick stairs to an open vent or descend to a completely disconnected from the outside world vault chamber. The entire cave system is designed with mirror-polished marble tops.

The main cave is home to several meters long reclining Buddha, and the model of a footprint of Buddha. The number of gilded Buddha statues and monks in various sizes and seating positions is a unique relics shiny splendor. Sparkling they are behind glass cases, on pedestals surrounding wall rocks and in holes.

Above their heads hanging white washed rock cones and dried up tree roots. On the bright marble plates with all the formidable donors are engraved, have made with their generous assistance from the cave a glorious place of worship and remembrance.

Both caves can be visited at any time. They are free of charge. The Tham Khao Yoi is illuminated, but to visit the Tham Sawan is the transportation of a torch is advisable. It should be useful services on the waiting cave temple leaders did not reject the site.

Special attention is given to all monkeys loitering gangs. They are not aggressive, but very intrusive, especially enterprising banana seller use on the forecourt of the situation for their interests.