My own little miracle at Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea), Krabi town, Thailand, 2020.

So, when in Krabi one has to consider climbing the 1200 plus steps to what is one of the most spectacular visions (The sitting gold Buddha) as well as the breath taking views of Krabi town itself. Not only this, but there are also caves to visit where it has been said, are dated back to 1975. One of the many stories as to why they are called the Tiger caves (no Tigers there today) is that whilst a Monk was meditating in one of the caves he saw Tigers meandering, hence the name Tiger caves. But there are so many myths, it is very fascinating!

I was really excited to visit this temple, although a little apprehensive climbing these steps in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, seriously the amount of weight I have lost due to sweat is unreal! Thus, I came prepared! Water, sunblock, hat and sunglasses are a MUST! And make sure you are dressed respectfully, that means shoulders are covered, anything above the knee also covered and, remove your shoes when you enter any building, always respect the rules of the country and you can’t go wrong. Anyway, got a tuk tuk, such a tourist! We parked at the entrance, where there are a couple of souvenir shops selling little gems for a good price, love souvenirs! And a couple of places to buy food, Thai food that is and non-alcoholic drink. Entrance to the temple is free, I did not pay anything.

I psyched myself up and in I went, and well guess what? The entrance to the steps was closed due to high winds and possible lightning! It was a summers day! Windy, I would be happy to be in the wind in this hot weather, be like having a giant fan so what is the problem, get me up there people! I was gutted, I really really wanted to see this Buddha. Oh well, off to the Caves I went, and you would think the route to the caves would be obvious, lets laugh together!

So, I decided to stick to what I could make out as a path, keep the caves to my left and not venture into the jungle part on my right and no, I am not exaggerating it was a jungle my friends! No one else was there, just me. I began my walk, and I bumped into this gorgeous dog. It was so hot, and I thought where did this dog come from? I mean holy moly he looked thirsty so I sat down and poured water into my palm and he drank from it, and that was it, love at first sight! The dog stuck by my side for my whole adventure, it was surreal and amazing.

Got to the first cave, and I saw Tiger palm prints on the walls and the further I went in, the thoughts of snakes cropped up secretly in my mind, come on people it was a little scary, no one else around just me and my newfound love.. It was amazing to see these Tiger prints, surreal even and how on earth did they get there? Tigers walk on the ground don’t they…not on walls??? Anyway past this cave, I came to what was not a temple but kind of a stage where this gorgeous Buddha was, all decorated and simply jaw dropping! I removed my shoes, and knelt down to have a pray, there is something about seeing Buddhas that give you the urge to pray and really wanting to connect with them or even this religion of peace and love. There are donation boxes should you want to donate to the Monks and upkeep of this beautiful site.

Anyway, I gave some more water to the dog and myself, I cannot tell you how humid and hot it was, unreal! Plus, I was getting a little worried that I was going to get lost, so I carried on keeping the caves to my left. Moving on, I arrived at some huts, the windows were covered up but I could hear the radio, which was weird as we were in the middle of nowhere… At that point, I decided to turn around, it simply was not a great idea to carry on and get lost. As I turned around, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and when I turned around there he was, a very very old smiling Monk. In one hand he had an axe (yes, you read that bit right, an axe!) and he gestured for me to follow him. Now I know you lot would say, you crazy woman, do not follow him! But something inside me said follow him, so here I was following a Monk with an axe into the jungle!

He was using the axe to cut the overgrown weeds from the path so I could walk on them but here was the issue, we were not walking! We were jogging, he was bare foot and I was in my flip flops so yeah it was not easy, I looked like a right idiot and oh my word he was fast and fit! And the heat and sweat was unbearable! He was showing me the trees, you see the trees here have meanings and these trees were over 100s of years old although I am sure he said 1000 years old… I could not make out what he was saying really as it was in Thai, and I do not speak that so it was kind of a lot of hand gesturing signals…This Monk was so proud of the history of these trees as well as some of the caves he was showing me, Tiger prints everywhere. By the way, my dog, yes my dog was still by my side throughout this!

Now, we stopped twice, and each time he would politely take my cardigan from my shoulders and clean the sweat off my face and then tie my cardigan back around my neck, I mean this was surreal. Here I was with a Monk who was showing me concern and wanted to make sure I was ok. I did not for one minute feel scared, just humbled.

After what seemed a while, we arrived back at the entrance and exit of the Tiger caves, he gestured goodbye, and I really wanted to give him money but I know that might be taken badly, and even more I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping me since I was on my own.

Now, this is what happened. As I turned he grabbed my head and then he put his hand on my right shoulder, by my neck, and he was making a noise – like asking me if I was in pain. For those who do not know me, I damaged my right shoulder and I can’t turn my neck to the right without moving my whole body and painfully so. I have been to physios and well still in pain. Anyway, this Monk grabs my head from behind and I kid you not, (thoughts of my neck being snapped for a split second did come to mind – what was he going to do!) he sharply turns my head to the right, it clicked – ok something clicked, and then he turned it to the left and same click sound happened, then he punched my right shoulder a few times, I can’t tell you the amazing feeling of what was happening. And guess what, I had no pain! I could turn my head to the right fully, I mean I could actually turn my head without moving whole body and not in pain! What on earth, how on earth did he know!

I turned around to say thank you…..he was gone…and so was the dog. Look, I do not believe in anything unless I see it for myself, and I really do not expect any of my readers to believe me but they were both gone! Where did they go????? I had to sit down and gather my thoughts as I was overwhelmed here.

I decided to go into the actual Monks temple at the entrance of the Tiger cave temple, and be warned there are loads of cheeky Monkeys everywhere, quite fascinating to watch them because they are right next to you and you are permitted to feed them too at your own risk of course. I got smacked by one of them, right on the back of the head, and when I turned around, it was grinning lol seriously I kid you not! I went inside the temple, where the Monks give you a blessing, you kneel down, and they say a prayer for you and throw some holy water on you, I loved it, and they gave me a red bracelet too. After the blessing, I went into the small, sealed room in the temple, and inside were the sacred tiger prints which are being preserved by glass, so you cannot actually touch them. Lovely experience to go through.

Outside the temple, there is a frame of all of the current Monks situated in this temple, I could not find him anywhere, I looked and looked he was not there, but also, where did the dog go??? So many questions here…I told my Thai friends about him and what happened, and they believe it’s one of the Monks that comes to people who need help, he has saved many they informed me. The thing is, the feeling I had when I was with him was one of pure safety, warm, friendly and pure love, so I really wish I could see him again! What a truly remarkable Monk.

So, for those who are visiting Krabi Town, come to the Tiger cave temple, it is beautiful, mesmerising and although I did not get to go to the top, the pictures that I have seen paint an amazing view and experience! Do not miss the opportunity.

Love always

Toni