As I step into the mouth of the enormous cave, I am immediately struck by the scale and beauty of the complex rock formations within, creating incredible shapes and patterns. The size of this ancient cavern takes my breath away and I stand a while in an attempt to take it all in. Slowly and carefully, I move forward over the uneven ground into the cool darkness, using a torch to illuminate my path.

The walls of the cave are composed of many colours, with various shades of grey and brown and splashes of stark white. Pointing the Nitecore torch upward, my light picks out hundreds of stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave. The limestone fingers reach down high above my head in dramatic and majestic fashion, whilst the stalagmites around me appear to rise from the floor to greet them.

Venturing further inside, the temperature cools noticeably and the darkness envelopes me. I proceed slowly, picking out a suitable pathway, careful not to trip up or bump into anything. A naturally formed series of steps takes me to a higher level and I find a smooth ledge where I am able to sit comfortably and survey my surroundings. The light from my torch scans the chamber and bit by bit the full grandeur of this place reveals itself to me.

But, all too soon it’s time to leave. The adventure is over and I make my way back out towards the light and into the warmth of the sun. It’s an experience I will never forget, and I am inspired and determined to explore more of Thailand’s magnificent caves.