On Phi Phi Ley, the smaller of the two islands, a visit is made to a huge stalagmite cave in which some of these cave paintings can be seen. It is also from this cave that the bird nests, the basic ingredient of the world famous Chinese Bird nest's Soup, are collected. Thin bamboo scaffolding reaches up to the ceiling, which goes as high as 200 metres, and workers risk their lives by climbing to the top of the cave on these flimsy frames to collect the bird nests. Before and after this dangerous work, they pray to Lord Buddha at a small altar made of stalagmites. |