DAY THIRTEEN JANUARY 22nd 2026. Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand. [<Click on the title to see the entire day]

This would be one of my favorite days. Why? I climbed the 1260 stairs at Tiger Cave but :) because of the difficulty of that NO ONE was on their phone. Everyone chatted to each other, laughed at the puffing and panting, laughed at the monkeys, enjoyed the view. STOPPED and talked while resting. It reminded me of when I travled when we were young. EVERYONE talked to each they did not sit in silence glued to a phone.

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Since Kirsten and Igor chose to rent a scooter and go to a National Park, I headed out for my day by myself. I called a Grab. He quoted on the app 263 BHT. He arrived and off we went. He asked me where I was from, hence the video LOL BUT!!!!! then it got annoying as he must have downloaded every Canadian anthem from every place. Even a hockey game from Montreal LOL. The ENTIRE 45- minute drive he switched from one to another. Even better when we arrived there, he tried to charge me 300 BHT which I was giving to him anyways THEN stuck his hand out and said loudly 'tip, tip, tip'. I looked at him and reminded him that the drive was 263 and that was his tip and got out. NEVER had any other driver been so weird. OH!! and he drove like a mad man.

As I entered into the grounds I started to take pics right away. Most of you know by now that I do like photography :). As I walked around and looked for the entrance to the 1260 stairs. By the way if you ever go there ignore the little place that looks like you have to pay. I knew this was free, so I ignored the ticket office BUT!!!! came to find out that it would give you a person who would walk you to the stairs LOL. I found them by myself.

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Looking for the 1260 steps that for some reason LOL I keep saying 1290 steps. BUT!! there are some more on the top so maybe subconsciously I knew this!! After all, I truly felt this was a place that I had lived many many lives ago. I felt it was a very sad past life.

AND!! there they were :) Top left says it all LOL.

Next was a place that you helped yourself to free water, and boy was it smart to take at least 3 bottles.

Top right the start of the stairs where you think 'oh easy peasy' LOL.

Lower left the actual stairs most of the time LOL.

Last 2 pics helpful signs LOL

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As I climb :) Around step 300 or so my video says, but you will get a great idea of the steps :)

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Well I cannot see the monkeys, but I say they are in the trees. Up another 50 stairs or so and rested with people.

Top left and middle: scenery as I climb.

The last 3 pics you can clearly see steps 520 as I reach them, then steps 821 and resting again at steps 1000 where I asked someone to take some pics of me :)

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I REACHED THE TOP : I honestly LOVE this video. I sat next to a monkey who had clearly stolen someones food LOL.

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First I headed away from the from the crowds. Here is the back of the top. Then sadly a dog is living up there. I presume the monks feed him but it is so sad.

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Here is the reason we all climb. I beleive this is the largest Buddha in Thailand. There is history around the Tiger Cave. HISTORY: The foundation of the temple dates back to 1975 (B.E. 2518) when a Vipassana monk named Jumnean Seelasettho (Ajahn Jumnean) went to meditate in the cave. During his meditation, he witnessed tigers roaming around the cave.^[2] This discovery led to naming the temple Wat Tham Suea. Another legend says that an actual huge tiger used to live and roam the cave.^[3] The naming of the temple also comes from discoveries of a tiger paw prints on the cave walls, and also the bulge of the cave resembling a tiger's paw.^[4]

Pics of the Buddha. Note the eyes looking down upon us :)

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More of the top. Listen to the commentary.

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Still at the top :)

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Almost the last video of the top. :)

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Sorry it is sideways. I can edit and get it upright but it will not 'save'. The end goes back to normal :) The last video of the top.

YES!!! I am super duper proud of myself. I was the oldest climber :)

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I headed carefully down all 1260 stairs and headed into the Temple on the grounds. Enjoy the chanting and may it reflect upon you in a meditative state. :)

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ENJOY the reflective silence. The last video and post of The Tiger Cave. From here I called a Grab after getting my mango shake and headed back to my hotel.

Back to the hotel where Kirsten suggested getting food at the market and watching the sunset on the beach. So we did :).Pics of us :) On the beach.

KIRSTEN and IGORS DAY AT A NATIONAL PARK

First pic: They rented a scooter and off they went :) They chosee a more relaxed day than me.

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More pics of their day to follow.

Top left pic is Sa Laeo Lagoon. The rest are the caves and all of the National Park that they explored while I climbed 1260 stairs LOL.

The end of Day 13 :) Pic on the left Kirsten and Igor on the scooter. Then canoeing on the water in the National Park. Then we met up, as the upper pics show :)