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Travel log September 16, 2017

The typical office worker's routine consists of working from Monday to Friday, with weekends off. This limited time is often spent on various activities, such as sleeping in, doing household chores, shopping, watching movies, listening to music, or seeking nature. However, the constraints of time often force individuals to put their desires for outdoor activities on hold.

Pan has a limited day off like other office workers, and even on Saturdays and Sundays, she has a part-time job. But Pan went on a trip. After finishing her art teaching on Saturday, September 16th, Pan left Bangkok for Ratchaburi.

Travel

– Private car Route 1 is 8 kilometers northwest of Ratchaburi city center on Highway 3087 (Ratchaburi-Jom Bueng-Suan Phueng). Turn right at the intersection and drive for about 1 kilometer. Khao Ngu Stone Park will be on the left-hand side. Route 2 is from Highway 3089 (from Wat Nong Hoi). Khao Ngu Stone Park will be on the right-hand side.
– Public bus There are public buses from Ratchaburi city center. The bus stop is located in front of the Government Savings Bank, near Sanam Yen Market, along the Mae Klong River.
– Van For travel from Bangkok, take a van from the Bangkok-Jom Bueng route.

There is also a video, please watch it together.

Let's take a look at the first spot, a landmark that has captivated many with its breathtaking beauty.

"A lake nestled amidst the mountains"

Suspension bridge

The iconic suspension bridge at Khao Ngu Stone Park is a must-see for visitors. Its strategic location offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and the expansive stream, making it a popular spot for photography.

After taking photos, we couldn't miss the opportunity to walk around the mountain along the orange wooden bridge path. It was a sunny afternoon, but the mountain's shadow provided shade, making the walk pleasant. A cool breeze also blew intermittently.

As we walk around the mountain, we have the opportunity to see schools of small and large fish swimming in the clear water. Some people come to feed the fish, either as couples, families, or even alone.

If you're tired of walking, you can switch to a paddle boat and enjoy the cool breeze. It's quite romantic. If you're planning to visit, I recommend coming in the late afternoon when the weather is not too hot. You can take a walk, sit and chat, and enjoy the evening atmosphere.

Monkey watching by car

If you think that just walking around the mountain is not enough, I recommend driving into the park. The first thing you will encounter is these fluffy receptionists. There are a lot of monkeys in the park. They sit and wait for food. It looks cute, but I wonder why there are signs prohibiting feeding monkeys on the side of the road, but there are people selling monkey food. Tourists buy it to feed the monkeys as you can see here.

The park also offers two other viewpoints accessible by car. Follow the signs, and you'll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the lake from above.

Let's go caving!

Note: I have translated the text to English while maintaining the informal and enthusiastic tone of the original.

In addition to enjoying the scenic views, those who enjoy hiking and exploring nature should not miss the opportunity to explore these caves.

• Ruesi Cave: This cave contains two Buddha statues from the Dvaravati period. The first statue is in the posture of hanging feet (Pralambapadasana) with the right hand in the posture of teaching (Vitarkamudra) and the left hand placed on the lap. Between the feet, there is an inscription that reads "Puññakramacharo Sri Samadhikupta (a)" which translates to "Sri Samadhikupta is pure by virtue of his good deeds." On the other side of the cave wall, there is a standing Buddha statue in the posture of descending from the Tavatimsa heaven. In addition, there are several other Buddha statues in the posture of meditation.
• Fa Tho Cave: This cave contains a reclining Buddha statue in the posture of Mahaparinirvana with a halo and stucco patterns of a sala tree. Above the statue, there are images of deities gathered together. On the opposite wall, there are images of two disciples.
• Chinese Cave: This cave contains two carved Buddha statues in the posture of meditation with their hands in the Vitarkamudra gesture. There are traces of plaster covering the statues. The statue near the mouth of the cave is broken and incomplete.
• Cham Cave: This cave contains a reclining Buddha statue in the posture of Mahaparinirvana and images of the Twin Miracle. There are also stucco images of a mango tree, followed by images of people standing on top of each other and a naga serpent.

The Snake Cave: A Site of Annual Worship

At the Snake Cave, annual worship ceremonies are held on the first day of the eleventh lunar month.

The Chinese and Cham Caves

However, I was slightly disappointed that I could only visit two caves. On the day of my visit, the Khao Ngu Cave was closed for renovations in preparation for the annual festival. Therefore, I only visited the Chinese Cave and the Cham Cave. The distance was not too far, and the path consisted of easy-to-climb stairs. However, those who are not accustomed to hiking may find it quite tiring.

These two caves are located close to each other and are not very large. Inside, there are carvings of Buddha statues, as shown in the picture. When you climb up, don't be surprised by the smell of monkey urine, as these monkeys are the local residents here. Haha.

In addition to admiring the cave, the climb also offers stunning views.

The Footprint of the Buddha

As we descended from the cave, we encountered a group of people who had just ascended. They informed us that the path ahead was closed for renovations. Consequently, we were only able to visit two caves. Our final destination was the "Footprint of the Buddha".

The climb up the stairs is only over 400 steps. You can walk and chat while enjoying the scenery, and you'll be there in no time. It's a good idea to bring a bottle of water with you.

Along the way, you will encounter groups of monkeys at intervals. There are a lot of monkeys here. When I walked to a certain point, I encountered a gang of monkeys blocking the way. The people who were walking with me refused to go any further. They were afraid of being bitten by the monkeys. But me? I'm one of them, so I walked through them in a friendly manner, greeting them with a "hello" as a courtesy. Hahahahaha.

After a long climb, you will finally reach the viewpoint at the top, where a square-shaped building houses a replica of the Buddha statue and footprint. Don't forget to pay your respects and make a wish.

Enjoy the view of Ratchaburi city and the cool breeze before heading down the mountain and returning home safely.

The following is a translation of the provided text from Thai to English:

Thank you for reading up to this line. I'll come back and tell you more later. For now, goodbye.