My skin is plastered in the finest sand I have ever felt. My palms, thighs, and feet are coated in dirt as soft as clay.

This moment is pure bliss.

Thailand is an unexpected surprise, completely surpassing any and all expectations.

We swim to Tham Phra Nang, a spectacular beach in the mainland area known as Krabi. The silica sand is unbelievably soft. It hugs my bare feet as the water begins to evaporate off my skin, leaving a salty mist.

At the end of the beach is an area Dad likes to call the “penis cave.” The cave is decorated with hundreds of phallic carvings varying in size, color, and medium. Locals come here to make a wish to the spirits of the cave. When the wish is granted, the locals come back and leave an offering of gratitude.

I wonder what type of wish was granted to warrant a black penis the size of a large dog.

I impulsively begin to shape the sand in front of the shrine. My friends begin to help me, making small corrections as we leave our own phallic offering.

Once satisfied with our offering we continue to walk down the beach. Several local boats offer everything from burgers to smoothies. My friend purchases a round of coconut smoothies, incredibly refreshing on a hot and humid day.

Dad finds a path off the beach to a massive cavern. We climb ropes and bamboo ladders to reach the looming entrance.

My eyes slowly adjust to the seeping darkness. The fine dirt kisses my bare feet. My hands feel in the dark for the next purposeful step. I grab the next hold and continue to push up.

The air is stale and humid, causing water to condense on the small of my back. My eyes gradually adjust to the dark, the quiet, and the serene. The air is thick and ancient as it settles down into the lungs.

There is peace in the musky darkness.

We emerge into the light filled with memories of stalactite cathedrals, covered in the primal elements of salt, dirt, and sand.

There is comfort in the simple sensations.