520 steps and the rest ...

Not being content with our walk in the park in ..... We headed out to take some exercise visiting a nearby monastery perched on a small peak up above Chiang Dao Nest. 520 steps and numerous monastic words of wisdom later and we reached the peak.  Beautifully peaceful spot in the forest.

Some of the steps

The top of the Wat

Next stop Chiang Dao Caves, well via a nature trail over/behind a mountain.  520 steps was good going but this was even more interesting, the path "less trodden", covered in fallen leaves and vines and very steep in part. We climbed and climbed and climbed like mad dogs and Englishmen - out in the midday sun!  When we finally reached the top, actually when we got to the bottom we realised just how far we had climbed, quite impressive really.

Looking down the track

We ended up at the back of a monastery near the entrance to the cave - a cave that has been used for over 300 years and has all sorts of Buddhists shrines in it.  We knew we were going for a fairly long walk in the cave system (1.5km) but I didn't realise that I was about to add "caving" to my many activities - certainly out of need rather than desire, and before any of you get any funny ideas it is most likely not to be repeated!

The Cave Guard ..

Mr W caving ...