Having accomplished our underwater mission in the Surin Isles, we were fully prepared to take on a more terrestrial manifestation of the Thai ocean -- The Andaman coast. Our destination was Railay, where we hoped to fulfill our rock climbing fantasies on coastal limestone towers, and find our inner peace on tranquil beaches.
Two of our fellow divers from the liveaboard were headed the same way, and helped us navigate though several buses into Ao Nang. After a late dinner by streetside, we said tentative goodbyes before hitting the pillows. Early the next morning we caught a boat into Hat Ton Sai. We were not disappointed in what we found...
Ton Sai is a village founded on backpacker tourists looking for an adrenaline rush. Looking up at the limestone cliffs looming over town, its no wonder why this is a rock climbing mecca.
The next day we spent our time sampling the beaches of Railay, a short hike outside of Ton Sai. Below, we spy Hat Railey West from the trail. Although it is considered the most pristine beach in the area, accommodation in Railey proper was something our budget could scarcely afford.
East Railey beach, although slightly more affordable, was more of a mangrove than a beach.
Here Kaitlin finds a precarious perch to enjoy a beer and views of East Railey
As we hiked back towards Ton Sai we passed Diamond Cave. Although not the most impressive of Thailand caves, it is still worth a visit.
Sea grass lines the path on the way back to Ton Sai
Next on the bucket list: a deep water solo trip! A relatively new development in the sport of rock climbing, deep water soloing is essentially free climbing over the ocean. The next morning we rallied at Basecamp Tonsai to fit into some beat-up rock shoes before hopping into a longtail. Our destination: Ko Poda
The green waters below the first deep water site, just waiting to catch our falls. Our nerves started building...
Time to climb!
'No way am I jumping from here!'
Kaitlin tops out (upper left)
Kaitlin thinks about jumping...a bit too long.
Tired and yet unscathed, we escaped to a nearby beach for lunch and a quick rest. Phew!
Wall number two...wait a sec, this one doesn't even start until you are 15 freakin' feet in the air!
'I didn't think I was that high...'
Karst views from our returning longtail
As we stepped off the boat, we witnessed basejumpers leaping from the karst pictured above. Not a bad way to finish the day!
We retired to our lovely home amongst the trees. While catching some R&R on our porch, we often heard gibbons whooping in the distance.
Determined to keep up our active regimen, we opted to beach hop in a kayak. Our first stop was Hat Phra Nang.
On the far Eastern side of Hat Phra Nang lies a peculiar shrine called Princess Cave. Here we found a pile of wooden phallic symbols, apparently placed here by fisherman in hopes that the spirit of a drowned princess will grant them a good catch.
After struggling with some bug problems in our tree-top bungalow, we opted to move to a new place. With this move we traded annoying bugs for mysterious frogs, which would miraculously appear in the bathroom every time we took a shower. This trade was more than favorable, as the latter do not bite.
For our last two days in Ton Sai we prowled the area for some rope climbing fun. Here Kaitlin prospects for climbing options.
The local sport wall hanging over Ton Sai beach, where all the pros engaged in desperate battles with gravity. We opted to head to Cobra wall for some more sustainable climbing.
Kaitlin belays from a rock shelf above the sea.
Views from the top of a climb.
Nick prepares to catch Kaitlin on Cobra wall.
We retired for a final time to our frog-infested bungalow. As if to bid us farewell, this little frog nestles into the covers. "you're not...leaving...are you?" Indeed, froggy, our nerves are fried and our muscles do ache. You betcha, frog friend, we need a break!
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