Speaking of exploring caves in Thailand ...
Some time ago, it was the first time my Partner and I travelled with her Parents and it was to Chiang Mai,
first time in a plane for them, first time in a Cave for them.
WHERE:- about 90 mins drive north of the City, almost due east of Pai.
So, it was me, the gf (Thai) and burdened with the possible future outlaws, no maps and a vague sense of direction
where to go ... off we set in the hire car.
Chiang Mai seemed to take for ever to exit away from the built-up area. I was hankering for some of that scenery on offer
between Chiang Rai and Mai ... all we viewed for what seemed like ages were the usual grey structures slowly decaying,
enveloped in their entropy.
Probably wasn't till we were past Mae Taeng that things became more scenic and you started looking through the side
windows and not focused on the brake lights in the distance.
By the time you have passed Ban Thap Dua ... it gets really interesting and scenic and, in parts, a gorge road with the
river/stream below.
As said, no map, just a sense of direction, the Thai crew were in disbelief when we came to a Police/Immigration checkpoint
and I requested directions.
The uniform (BnB) was ever so polite, smiled, shook my hand and confirmed our route.
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Once we arrived there, my heart sank ... heaps of Tourists buses, meaning 5 or 6 of the coach style buses and a smattering
of private cars.
We wandered around the entry to the caves where a very helpful gentleman guided us in the right direction.
He was, of course a tout of the group photo type, but pleasant, not pushy and no cuss words when we declined his generous offer of a paid photo.
Cave Entrance
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Once inside the caves you are greeted by this ...
Temple inside the cave system near the entrance ...
Now, once inside the caves, I thought, based on the number of coaches parked outside, the system was swamped ... but no.
Some groups proceeding though, but you never felt like a sardine.