Thailand September 2012

We arrived in Bangkok on Thursday night and stayed at a small hotel in Suthisan named M2 De Bangkok. we had our own rooms, but at $ 40 a night it was worth it.

I woke up pretty early on Friday (6.30am). Lis rang me at 8am and we went for a walk. Bangkok on a Friday morning, cars everywhere, not too hot but still, as usual the humidity was like an invisible blanket that covers Bangkok. 

By midday we were boarding our flight bound for Krabi……or more accurately Railey Beach. I probably should have done more research and consulted with Allissa more than I did but alas…… We were met at Krabi Airport by a driver arranged by the resort where we were staying. He drove us for about 30 minutes, and then transferred us to a motorbike that could also carry us and our baggage down a long jetty on the Andaman Sea where we boarded a long boat for a 20 minute boat ride to Raley.

When we finally arrived a bit closer to shore, 2 things stood out. One was the amazing mountains surrounding the beach, covered in lush tropical vegetation, the other was the army of tractors sitting tyre deep in the sea like some sort of mechanical predators. It took us a while until we realized that this was our transport to the beach and even better right to the entrance of the resort we were staying at.

This is the pool at our resort. We haven’t been for a swim in it yet but it’s pretty nice.
There aren’t many people here, mainly young travellers. It’s still low season due to the fact that it’s rainy season.
We are debating whether we will stay here or move on to somewhere a bit busier.
I’ve just snuck out for a while. Allissa is back in our room reading. I’m on my way back now……….

Our trek began with this monkey….and a big one he was. By the time I had traversed the very steep and wild jungle track over the mountain to the beach to the north of the somewhat more subdued Railey Beach I also felt like a monkey. Albeit a very sore, tired and sweaty
one.

I’ll talk some more about this momentous (for me anyway) climb, walk, descent, rock climb a bit later on but needless to say, I am now nursing two huge blisters on my poor old feet.

We started at sea level on the east coast of the peninsula. Up the track a bit we came across this monkey. A little bit further on there were monkeys everywhere, although a bit smaller than this guy. The track went up on a gradual, muddy slope until we came to a ramshackle village. We discovered the path over the mountain and started climbing. There were no concessions for old fat bastards like me….the track went straight up. It seemed almost vertical. Allissa just strolled along like she was on a country stroll and then followed me, sweating, hyper ventilating, moaning and over heating BUT I made it to the top.

Now I know that the pictures don’t look very steep but being there was a far different matter. We finally made it to what seemed like the top and walked across a small stream then we realized it was about to go up again. Not for long, thank God.

Then there was the descent. Still in the forest, fallen tress, sweat but such a relief after the ascent.

The tide comes in late afternoon and stays in until late morning. These pics show the tide out which was lucky for us because the only way to get back to the part of the peninsular where we are staying is over the rocks that are covered at high tide. Check out the mountains, they are totally spectacular.

We walked back over the rocks to the beach where we are staying. By this stage my only pair of shoes were drenched so we sat down at a small bar on the beach and drank coffee and tea. On the way back we watched a couple of girls doing rock climbing. It wasn’t really all that high up but it sure gave one the idea of what it must feel like to climb up a vertical rock wall.

Just down from where we are staying is the Rayavadee Resort. It’s the most expensive accommodation in this area, starting at $700 a night. Allissa and I have worked out how to “sneak in” and almost pretend we are guests. The grounds are absolutely stunning and it has it’s own private beach. We went to one of the restaurants at Rayavadee for Allissa’s birthday dinner. The food was stunning, fresh, just enough chilli and surprisingly well priced. We overlooked their private beach and the cliff face was lit up giving the place a magical feeling. At the end of the dinner the girls who had looked after us came into our dining area and sang a very heartfelt Happy Birthday.