Naka Cave in Phu Langka National Park

October 21, 2024

The sun had hardly risen and we were on the bikes cycling to Phu Langka National Park. We weren't yet sure whether we would climb up to the cave or whether we would just do sone birdwatching in the park. But when we arrived at the Park entrance we got so carried away by the enthusiasm of the local tourists getting ready to climb the mountain that we just joined in.

The trail follows rock faces that look like snake scales culminating in a rather disappointing cave and a rock that is taken to be the snake's head. The whole point, it seems, of hiking up to the Naka Cave is to pray at various special places along the route. None of that was particularly meaningful for us but all along the way the locals kept engaging with us, with a surprising amount of English being spoken, that we felt part of the proceedings.

After almost four hours of stiff walking we arrived back at the park entrance. Ultimately the birding was disappointing but it didn't matter because we had such a good time doing the hike.

Much of the climb is on steep stairways.

The rocks' surfaces are formed by irregular cooling.

One of a number of poses Leigh was press ganged into assuming.

Various Buddhist holy places along the way.

The snake's head. Leigh submitting to the required pose once again.

Back to the Mekong tomorrow.

Today's ride: 20 km (12 miles)
Total: 1,219 km (757 miles)

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