HOT Magazine HOT Magazine Issue - 9, 10 Volume 5 | Page 35

A Mystical Cavern Sam Roi Yot National Park is 40 kilimetres south of Hua Hin and covers 98 square kilometres. The park is divided into two sections by the limestone peaks it takes its name from "Mountain (Khao) of Three Hundred Peaks (Sam Roi Yot)". The entry fee of 200 baht gives you access to both sections for a day, although it’s worth more than a day visit. The park's highlight for many is the coastal section. Phraya Nakhon Cave is short-listed among the most magnificent caves in Southeast Asia, and it is truly beautiful. Although there are several caves in the park, Phraya Nakhon is the most famous, thanks to the presence of Kuha Karuhas (Royal) pavilion. The cave is formed from two caverns with natural erosion of the limestone providing a dramatic result. Light streams down through large openings in the cavern roof to illuminate the darkness and encourage plant life. At the centre of the main cavern, bathed in light and framed by trees on one side and stalactites and stalagmites on the other, sits the beguiling Kuha Karuhas (royal) pavilion with its saddled roof, sparkling upturning finials and statue of Phraya Nakhon. Folk stories suggest one-time local ruler, Phraya Nakhon, stumbled upon the cave after his ship was forced ashore in bad weather some 200 years ago. His dramatic discovery has since been recognised by visits from several Thai Kings, including visits by recently deceased King Bhumibol. In 1890 to mark the first royal visit from King Rama V, the Kuha Karuhas pavilion was built. Its precise positioning ensured sunlight showers over it mid-morning. The ceiling of the cavern is estimated at 50 metres high, with various side caves accommodating spooky shrines, and another area occupied by Pagoda stone cairns giving the sense of an ancient graveyard. The cave is a two-kilometre walk (which takes around an hour) from the track entrance at Bang Pu village. Bring sensible walking shoes and enough water as the track is a little challenging. It’s best to be in the cave around 10 a.m. to see the royal pavilion sunlit in the most glorious light. There are beach side restaurants awaiting your return to Bang Pu village for a rewarding, tasty and inexpensive lunch! Blessed with Beaches: Hua Hin is a beach town and developing a reputation as the best place in Thailand for kitesurfing thanks to nearly 10 months of ideal wind conditions. The shallow warm waters also make it one of the safest places to learn this sport. But when you tire of the five-kilometre arc of sand in front of the town there are other beaches to choose from… Khao Takiab beach is the next beach immediately south of Hua Hin and stretches for seven-kilometres south to the small community of Khao Tao. The northern end of Khao Takiab is where the action is. Beach- side boutique resorts, small cafés and local restaurants line the beach offering umbrella covered sun beds. Eucalyptus and Casuarina trees also provide their own natural cooling shade. You can get an Thai-style or European hour-long massage for 300 baht and, for the more active, there’s horse riding along the beach or golf at the Sea Pines Golf Course that borders the beach. Sai Noi beach is directly south of Khao Takiab and only 15 kilometres from central Hua Hin. This small beach with its own Beach Club is where you can ‘get away from it’ whilst enjoying all the facilities and service the Beach Club and beach front facilities have to offer. The drop- off from the beach is pronounced here, but you can use of the Beach Clubs two pools if you prefer. Dolphin Bay is just 45 kilometres south of Hua Hin and is named for the pod of Indo-pacific humpback dolphins, five or six of which are pink, that live in the bay for 10 months of the year. The bay’s five kilometre beach is ideal for sunbathing, beach volleyball, and long walks or jogging, especially at sunrise or sunset. HOT Magazine 35