Thailand 2007

So I made it to Bangkok after twenty-some hours of in air bliss....I slept most of the way and I must say United Airlines would not be my choice for the next long trip...the food is really not that edible.

I arrived late the night of the 12th and took a taxi to Khaosan road where I stayed at KS guesthouse. The next day I got a 30 baht tuk tuk ride for two hours around the temples in bangkok, bought my bus ticket to Krabi and shopped the street vendors.

At 5:30pm I caught another taxi to get me to the bus station, Monday traffic was bad, and I somehow got convinced to stop for something to eat before getting to the bus station at 6:30 (my bus was scheduled to leave at 7). Turns out he took me to a fairly posh tourist seafood place when i thought i was going to a local stall with him for a bite. Turned out I had to catch another cab, spend way too much, but luckily get to the station in time to catch my bus to begin the 12 or so hour trip to Krabi.

The bus, aka 'freezer bus' has nice reclining seats and blankets, so i again slept most of the way and the trip went by fairly quickly. According to the Thai way though, we ended up waiting in Suratthani for close to 2 hours to catch the next 3 hour bus down to Krabi, and waited another hour or so to get a van to Ao Nang to catch the longtail to Ton Sai.

Ton Sai has been amazing. I arrived at about noon, met James at the chalet (don't let that confuse you, it's bare basics, but great!) and checked out the beach.

The next day I tackled my first 3 climbs on Taiwand wall. Amazing views! My first climb called 'fit to be tied' was a little scary, as the rock face was fairly exposed - I did the whole thing first try which was amazing. (Unfortunately my pictures are not uploading, so I'll have to post these ones later). 'Lord of the ties' was my next climb, another beautiful climb, but the fatigue was setting in and had to rest a few times on the way up. The last climb of the day was up to a cave in the middle of the rock - a really tough one - I think James slightly over estimated my ability. With a few good falls I finally made it up to the top





We then hiked through the cave to Phranang beach to relax in the shade for a bit.

The next day I climbed "Missing Snow' a fantastic climb with amazing stalagtite holds. I will have to work that one a bit to get it, but was excited to get to the top. In the afternoon I climbed 'groove tube,' an awesome climb, that I made up all the way!


the start of 'groove tube'




going through the narrow part


finally at the top, and what a view!



One of James' amazing climbs!