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D Rock
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documenting the meta-journey of my ambitions

🥾The Madeira Circuit

This thread will document my solo thru hike around the island of Madeira. One pack. Multiple paths. One peak.

distance: ~200km

elevation gain: ~12,500m

Location: Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Place: Maya Bay + Monkey Bay + Viking Cave

Activity: Hike + beach hopping + boat ride

Duration: Full day

Explored the iconic Phi Phi Islands hopping beaches and hidden coves by longtail boat. Crystal-clear water, limestone cliffs, and that classic island magic. Thailand at its most cinematic.

Location: Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

Place: Kelingking Beach Trail

Activity: beach cliff hike

Duration: ~1 hour

Hiked down the razor-edge cliffs of Kelingking to one of the most surreal beaches I’ve ever seen. The trail is steep, sketchy, and totally worth it. White sand, turquoise waves, and towering cliffs that make you feel tiny. Unreal from every angle.

Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Place: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Activity: Forest walk + wildlife encounter

Duration: ~1 hour

Walked through the Sacred Monkey Forest—a lush jungle sanctuary filled with ancient moss-covered temples and hundreds of cheeky long-tailed macaques. Wild, sacred, and very much alive.

Place: Batu Caves

Location: Selangor, Malaysia

Activity: Stair climb + temple exploration

Duration: ~1.5 hours

Climbed the 272 vibrant steps to Batu Caves, one of Malaysia’s most iconic Hindu landmarks. Inside the massive limestone cave, I explored colorful shrines, dodged monkeys, and soaked in the spiritual energy echoing through the cavern. A must-see near KL.

Place: Chiang Dao Cave

Location: Chiang Dao, Thailand

Activity: Lantern-guided cave walk

Duration: ~1 hour

Squeezing through narrow rock passages into pitch-black chambers lit only by lanterns was something I won’t forget.

Trail: Pha Dam Waterfall Loop

Location: Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Activity: Jungle hike + waterfall visit

Duration: ~3 hours

Distance: 4 mi

Hiked a lush loop trail on Doi Inthanon that led to the stunning Pha Dam Waterfall. We foraged wild raspberries and sugar cane along the way—and our local guide casually snacked on a worm-like insect that lives inside plant stems. Raw, wild, unforgettable.

Trail: Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat & Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Activity: Forest hike + temple visit

Duration: ~3 hours

Started my Southeast Asia hike with the Monk’s Trail—a peaceful climb through dense forest that opens up to hidden jungle temples. Wat Pha Lat felt like a secret sanctuary, while the final push to Doi Suthep was steep but worth it for the view and history.

🎒 Goal: Backpack through Southeast Asia.

This thread will document the journey — the trails I hike, the hidden spots I stumble upon, and the landmarks that leave me speechless 🌏👇

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Trail: Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat & Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Activity: Forest hike + temple visit

Duration: ~3 hours

Started my Southeast Asia hike with the Monk’s Trail—a peaceful climb through dense forest that opens up to hidden jungle temples. Wat Pha Lat felt like a secret sanctuary, while the final push to Doi Suthep was steep but worth it for the view and history.