Today I had an experience that I just absolutely must share.
Friday morning started with six people from our team driving half an hour out of Mae Sot into the mountains that so beautifully grace the terrain of Thailand. It was fairly cool on the drive out, especially since I was riding in the back of the truck at 120km/h, but the whole way I couldn't help but pray, couldn't help but worship. It reminded me of roadtrips through Southwestern Ontario as a kid, watching farmers sort the irrigation systems in the giant corn fields passing by on the highway. It also reminded me of driving up to the foothills of the Himalayas in India. Two images that are literally oceans apart, both carrying significance in my mind.
We pulled up to a row of mountains, a parking lot, a few restaurants, and a handful of small hot springs areas where people were boiling eggs (something you will never see in Banff or Jasper) at the base. When our guide finally arrived we followed him on a kilometer hike upwards until we reached the opening of a cave that was deeper and longer than the height of the mountain that contained it.
We climbed down into the mountain for what seemed like nearly an eternity, the temperature recognizably hotter with every 5 feet we descended, the lighting dimishing with every step. We had a couple flashlights with us, and there were a few small lights hung over the ladders taking us deeper, but still my eyes strained to see where my feet were going.
Friday morning started with six people from our team driving half an hour out of Mae Sot into the mountains that so beautifully grace the terrain of Thailand. It was fairly cool on the drive out, especially since I was riding in the back of the truck at 120km/h, but the whole way I couldn't help but pray, couldn't help but worship. It reminded me of roadtrips through Southwestern Ontario as a kid, watching farmers sort the irrigation systems in the giant corn fields passing by on the highway. It also reminded me of driving up to the foothills of the Himalayas in India. Two images that are literally oceans apart, both carrying significance in my mind.
We pulled up to a row of mountains, a parking lot, a few restaurants, and a handful of small hot springs areas where people were boiling eggs (something you will never see in Banff or Jasper) at the base. When our guide finally arrived we followed him on a kilometer hike upwards until we reached the opening of a cave that was deeper and longer than the height of the mountain that contained it.
We climbed down into the mountain for what seemed like nearly an eternity, the temperature recognizably hotter with every 5 feet we descended, the lighting dimishing with every step. We had a couple flashlights with us, and there were a few small lights hung over the ladders taking us deeper, but still my eyes strained to see where my feet were going.
Our trek was about an hour and a half all in all - the hike up taking 30 minutes, the descent into the cave and the climb out taking about an hour altogether. Our guide told us that from the deepest part that we reached there was still another 2 hours to walk into the cave. There are 13 "rooms" in all, we made it to the first three, the first one being home to what seemed like hundreds of sleeping bats. In the room furthest from the entry point there is a small lake. Next time we go we decided we're going to do the whole thing and see if we can swim at the end.
It was seriously one of the most incredible things I have ever seen; definitely a hidden gem of Mae Sot. I know pictures and words could never do it justice, but here are a few anyway.
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| After all is said and done, I'm ready for round two! |
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| Just before climbing out, dripping with sweat... |
Vanguard Mae Sot team, this is what you have to look forward to. Be excited.
SO COOL! I'm so jealous!!! I miss being warm, haha!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're having some awesome adventures!