Being chased through the carpark by an overly aggressive male monkey wanting to bite my ankles was not a good start to arriving at Khao Yoi Cave in Phetchaburi.
Lucky for me a elderly local Thai lady was present with a large piece of bamboo swinging it around like John Snow wields a sword.
The Tham Khao Yoi Cave is located at the bease of a rocky hill, which is clearly visible from the main highway heading to Hau Hin from Bangkok, just behind the railway station of Khao Yoi, approximately 22km north of Phetchaburi town itself.
It is a little off the beaten track, but well worth the stop if you are passing by.
It was the place where King Rama VI practiced meditation while he was ordained.
Today, it houses several Buddha images and is home to Buddhist Monks, who are only to happy to collect donations to further the expansion of the cave and temple.
Ducking your head to enter the main door of the cave, you are first first presented with a reclining Golden Buddha, which many locals take time to light candles and pay homage at.
Following the marble tiled pathways through the caverns, which are see sunlight peaking through the holes in the ceiling, you are presented with crevices filled various Buddhism statues over the many levels.
Splendid stalagmites and stalactites are a main feature of the cave. You are welcome to explore all the the cave, but expect to see more monkeys as you climb the steps into the higher caverns.
A stairway up the side of Khao Yoi leads to some currently undeveloped caves and provide great views over the surrounding countryside.
The higher caves are not lit, but erosion has left sufficient holes that natural sunlight peaks in.
If you were to compare this cave to Khoa Luang Cave, you would be sorely disappointed, but for me the entrance to the cave is one of the best presented. It was the place where King Rama VI practiced meditation while he was ordained.
Today, it houses several Buddha images and is home to Buddhist Monks, who are only to happy to collect donations to further the expansion of the cave and temple.
Also well worth visiting is Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park, Phra Nakhon Khiri is one said place, being an historical park situated on a forested hillside at the edge of Phetchaburi, overlooking the city and can be seen from the highway if you are heading south towards Hua Hin.
How to get there: If traveling by public transport, the Bangkok to Phetchaburi minibuses will stop in Khao Yoi if you ask the driver.
Make sure you find out where to wait for the next minibus afterwards though so you can carry on your journey later.