Day 13: Ao Nang

Second to last day in Thailand, and our final full adventure day — so of course we made it count!

We only did three things today, but each one was a banger. No filler, all hits.

First up: Emerald Pool. Hidden deep in the rainforest, this volcanic hot spring feels like nature’s secret spa. The water stays at a perfect mid-70s, just warm enough to melt your worries without turning you into soup. But the real showstopper? That color. This pool isn’t called Emerald for nothing. It shimmers like a gemstone dropped into the jungle: crystal clear, glowing turquoise, and ringed with lush green. Honestly, it felt like we were swimming inside a postcard.

Next up, the Hot Springs, and let me tell you — this was no ordinary soak. Warm water cascades down a rocky hillside, forming a natural staircase of pools, each one with its own personality. The higher up you climb, the hotter the water gets — like stepping through chapters of a steamy jungle novel.

We climbed from pool to pool, testing each like Goldilocks in a spa: too hot, too cold, ahh, just right. The most surreal moment? Standing on the invisible line where hot water meets cold — one leg in a toasty bath, the other in a mountain stream. My body couldn’t decide whether to sweat or shiver. We splashed, lounged, climbed, and soaked in the magic. It felt like Mother Nature designed this whole setup just to impress us.

Then came the grand finale: Tiger Cave Temple, perched high above Krabi, daring the brave (or the slightly unhinged) to climb its legendary 1,260 steps — the equivalent of 77 flights of stairs — all under the full assault of Thailand’s tropical heat.

Some of those steps weren’t even steps. They were knee-high leaps. Add in 90°F heat and humidity so thick you could sip it with a straw, and suddenly you’re not just climbing a staircase — you’re entering a sweaty spiritual bootcamp.

I paced myself, slow and steady, pausing for breath but never for too long. Every climber had their own battle. An African soccer player zipped by, only to be gasping a few flights up. A middle-aged woman was curled up mid-climb, resting but determined. A young German woman looked ready to dissolve into the concrete, but she pressed on. A cheerful UK couple matched our pace, exchanging encouragement like energy bars.

And then — the top.

The reward was worth every drop of sweat: an endless sea of green mountains rolling toward the misty horizon, each peak like a page in a storybook. And watching over it all, a massive golden Buddha, radiating calm and compassion. He didn’t say anything — he didn’t need to. His smile said, “Told you it’d be worth it.”

On the way down, I became the unofficial cheerleader. I passed breathless, red-faced pilgrims from every corner of the world, and gave them the same line: “Not too far to go now!”

One woman, Eastern European by her accent, looked ready to call it quits. “What’s on top anyway?” she asked, panting and hunched.

I didn’t hesitate: “A view like no other. Mountains. Mists. A golden Buddha that makes it all worth it.”

She stared for a moment, weighing the pain against the promise. Then she nodded. “I guess I will continue then.”

What a day. From emerald waters to boiling streams to sky-high temples — if this was our last adventure day in Thailand, we couldn’t have asked for a better send-off.Läs mer