SEA: Day 29 – All the Fears

Luang Prabang is awesome because Kuang Si waterfalls are awesome because waterfalls are awesome because nature is awesome.

I knew I liked waterfalls, but today I discovered that I love waterfalls. Kuang Si waterfalls are beautiful and you should definitely visit before climate change (or tourists, like me) somehow ruins the place. The water is so, so blue due to the limestone it flows over. Be careful though, cause it’s only blue when the water is calmer, meaning don’t go during monsoon season. (I leave out the exact monsoon season months because I believe more and more of climate change’s impact.) I took tons of pictures, but honestly, it does not do it justice.

Amazing. Terrified of heights.

When I think of things I’m scared of, the 3 that pop to mind all the time are heights, spiders, and the dark. On this hike up to the waterfall, I ran into all three. Heights is shown above. The spider I almost ran into. It was minding its own business in the middle of its web, and I almost walked right into it. I almost died. But the thing that was probably the MOST scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life is voluntarily going into a cave.

When I visited other caves as a young child, there was always a guide plus lights that illuminated the path you were walking on. Also, you were always with other people, so it’s hard to be scared. I was expecting more of the same when I read about a cave a short hike from the waterfall.

Entrance. Check the flashlight.

When I got there, I was met by one man who sold me a ticket and a tiny flashlight. I wasn’t quite sure what the flashlight was for until I got to the mouth of the cave. There were no lights, no guide, and no other people.

I had told myself earlier during the trip that I’d do anything that I immediately thought “no fucking way”. This was definitely one of those moments. I recorded this all on my gopro. Below are some cuts.

Going in…
Nope, nope, nope. Running back out.
Why am I doing this? And why are there little statues?!
I am terrified but made it all the way to the back of the cave.
And made it safely back to the entrance. I’ve never been so happy to see light.

That was the highlight of the day. I’m not sure if I’d do that again but I can tell you that I’m not as afraid of the dark in my home anymore.

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