but seriously Sean, its not that cold. its 30 degrees outside you won't need the down jacket.
January 31, 2007
Attack of the Monkey's
and I have never seen anything like it before. Whilst sitting on the balcony, contemplating having breakfast, a number of monkey popped out of the jungle. I called to john as he had seen them yet. Within minutes, there were 30 or 40 of them.
They started about 2 bungalows down from me and systematically went into every bungalow, rumaging through bins and bags, looking for food. Whilst at a distance they look cute, they certainly aren't up close and personal and in force. We were fighting them off with snorkels...
Once they reached the top of the hill, they turned around and came back. They stole my chocolate milk, :( and my tiger balm (not sure what they were going to do with that ).
The funny thing about it was the older monkey stood back and let the younger ones do all the work.
They started about 2 bungalows down from me and systematically went into every bungalow, rumaging through bins and bags, looking for food. Whilst at a distance they look cute, they certainly aren't up close and personal and in force. We were fighting them off with snorkels...
Once they reached the top of the hill, they turned around and came back. They stole my chocolate milk, :( and my tiger balm (not sure what they were going to do with that ).
The funny thing about it was the older monkey stood back and let the younger ones do all the work.
John has arrived - and the week that followed
Finally, the second of team ireland has arrived in tonsai.. John has arrived cruising into Tonsai on the all to familar long tails on Monday, quite tired but all smiles. After a good fed of Thai food and a night's sleep, i managed to convince him to get up and go climbing. That took about 10 seconds. So the first couple of days were spent at Thaiwand Wall and Wee's Present Wall.. two beautiful locations, with a good variety of routes. Some, however are a little polished. Got my first redpoint in wee's present wall, a 6b+, with a hard bouldery start. Good route. Really pleased.
Thursday was unnanously designated a rest day. My arms were crying out. A trip to the beach, the lagoon, lots of chilled out coffee and breakfast - a flashy restaurant. Wow really living it up.
Went to The Keep on Friday. I had only heard good things about it and was dying to get there. The walk in part was worth the journey. It is a well hidden crag with a precarious looking (but not to bad) scramble down some fixed ropes to get to it. It was worth it, and everyone is right. There are only about 10 routes. I onsighted one the longest 6b's i have ever done. A 60m rope barely reached the ground.
On Saturday we went Eagle wall. Nice hidden bay and crag on the right side of Tonsai beach. Was a happy camper that day as I got another 6b+, onsight this time. I think perhaps things are coming together. YAY :) Unforunately we didn't judge the tides quite right.. and ended up almost swimming back. I was wading through water up to my armpits attempting to keep the gear dry. Obviously, as you can imagine, panicking about my camera. All was good - and it stayed dry.... funny experience.
Thursday was unnanously designated a rest day. My arms were crying out. A trip to the beach, the lagoon, lots of chilled out coffee and breakfast - a flashy restaurant. Wow really living it up.
Went to The Keep on Friday. I had only heard good things about it and was dying to get there. The walk in part was worth the journey. It is a well hidden crag with a precarious looking (but not to bad) scramble down some fixed ropes to get to it. It was worth it, and everyone is right. There are only about 10 routes. I onsighted one the longest 6b's i have ever done. A 60m rope barely reached the ground.
On Saturday we went Eagle wall. Nice hidden bay and crag on the right side of Tonsai beach. Was a happy camper that day as I got another 6b+, onsight this time. I think perhaps things are coming together. YAY :) Unforunately we didn't judge the tides quite right.. and ended up almost swimming back. I was wading through water up to my armpits attempting to keep the gear dry. Obviously, as you can imagine, panicking about my camera. All was good - and it stayed dry.... funny experience.
January 22, 2007
Looking for a book to read
I found these two books in Siem Reap. You've probably heard of the first one, First they Killed my Father. It gives a child view of the Khmer Rouge regime in the late 70's. The second, The Gate, is from the point of view of a french man who lived through the Khmer Rouge regime.
For me, they were both excellent reads.
For me, they were both excellent reads.
This place ROCKS
I am amazed everyday. This is heaven, sun, sea, sand and rock as far as the eyes can see. I am starting to make a dint into the emense number of routes, some have been amazing.
My typical day so far seems to be, get up lazily around 8 o'clock. Chill out on the balcony with my bowl of muesli and yogurt and my coffee. Then heading off to the crag of choice till about 2pm. Take a break, relax, go for a swim. Then climb some more - till it gets dark or I am tired. Then fight with the mosquitos for a few minutes, shower and have some food. Tis great, I like it.
My typical day so far seems to be, get up lazily around 8 o'clock. Chill out on the balcony with my bowl of muesli and yogurt and my coffee. Then heading off to the crag of choice till about 2pm. Take a break, relax, go for a swim. Then climb some more - till it gets dark or I am tired. Then fight with the mosquitos for a few minutes, shower and have some food. Tis great, I like it.
January 13, 2007
In typical Carole style....
Unfortunately, I got off to a bad start climbing in Tonsai. I picked the most polished awkward route - certainly not the best route to get your head back on. Then on the way home, what do I do, only skid and fall on the slippy routes and scratch my toes... typical. Got up the next day - very weary and dragged myself off to the crag - only to discover I had forgotten my harness. GRRRR. What is happening - are the climbing gods against me? I decided I obviously was to tired and took the rest of the day relaxing, vowing to start a fresh the next day.
And that is what I did, Eagle Wall was the venue. I taped myself up (grr my toes hurt) and off I went determined to have a great day. What a great day, too, the climbing was amazing and the setting unbelieveable. 5 great routes. Onsighted all but one, so I was happy. Not a bad start. The next two days were just as good, and I am starting tick some classics (7 onsights and 9 onsights). Now I just have to stop climbing the 5's and 6a's and start redpointing, I think I have my head somewhat back now.
And that is what I did, Eagle Wall was the venue. I taped myself up (grr my toes hurt) and off I went determined to have a great day. What a great day, too, the climbing was amazing and the setting unbelieveable. 5 great routes. Onsighted all but one, so I was happy. Not a bad start. The next two days were just as good, and I am starting tick some classics (7 onsights and 9 onsights). Now I just have to stop climbing the 5's and 6a's and start redpointing, I think I have my head somewhat back now.
January 8, 2007
Nightmare journey turns into a Beautiful Sunset
55 hours, 4 bus journeys, 2 boat rides, a night in Bangkok, a walk, lots of delays after leaving Siem Reap, we FINALLY arrive in Krabi. And it is every bit amazing as I thought, and more.
Unfortunately, I am so tired tonite, I cannot enjoy. Tomorrow, it will be fantastic - and hopefully soon I will find a computer that will allow me upload photos.
Unfortunately, I am so tired tonite, I cannot enjoy. Tomorrow, it will be fantastic - and hopefully soon I will find a computer that will allow me upload photos.
January 7, 2007
Killing Time in Bangkok
Wow, what a bumpy ride we have just had. From Siem Reap in Cambodia to the border of Thailand was 6 hours of dirt track. I don't think the distance we travelled was terrible far but by the end of it my stomach felt as if it has been in a washing machine on spin for the entire time. Even my brain felt all shaken. Funnily enough, that part of the journey was fine, it wasn't until I got onto the big fancy bus that took us from the border to Bangkok, that I started to feel really quesy... and then when I got off the bus I felt like the world was spinning it was very bazaar.
So, now I am back in the glorious city Bangkok. For some reason, this time, it doesn't feel, so crowded, poluted or unbearable hot. Maybe I am getting used to the lifestyle over here. Since we had visited most of the major sites last time, we decided to go investigate china time this time. Just giving up, we found it, or at least we think we found. Its a market that you can just about buy anything in. From upolstry to underwear, shoes laces to incense. However, it did not have the buzz which we expected. But this might be due to it being early Sunday morning.
Tonite at 6pm I board another overnite bus to Krabi. Finally the climbers paradise is within hours. I can't wait.
So, now I am back in the glorious city Bangkok. For some reason, this time, it doesn't feel, so crowded, poluted or unbearable hot. Maybe I am getting used to the lifestyle over here. Since we had visited most of the major sites last time, we decided to go investigate china time this time. Just giving up, we found it, or at least we think we found. Its a market that you can just about buy anything in. From upolstry to underwear, shoes laces to incense. However, it did not have the buzz which we expected. But this might be due to it being early Sunday morning.
Tonite at 6pm I board another overnite bus to Krabi. Finally the climbers paradise is within hours. I can't wait.
The Glory of Angkor
The last two days were spent in Angkor, the ancient temples of the Khmer people. They were built between the 9th and 14th centuries. At the time they were large cities of up to a million people, at a time when london had a population of only 30,000 or so. However, they were soon forgotten about and lost to the jungle only to be discovered by french archelogist Jean Commaille at the turn of the 19th century.
For me, Angkor Wat is the most impressive. It is thought to be the largest religious building in the world. Surrounded by a moat, the outer walls are thought to be 6miles long. Every inch of the interior are covered with decorative bas relief, depicting stories from the time. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece.
For me, Angkor Wat is the most impressive. It is thought to be the largest religious building in the world. Surrounded by a moat, the outer walls are thought to be 6miles long. Every inch of the interior are covered with decorative bas relief, depicting stories from the time. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece.
January 3, 2007
Cheoung Ek, The Killing Fields
To say I enjoyed myself today would be a lie, but it certainly was an eye opening experience and one that will remain with me for a long time.
I still don't fully understand or even comprehend the enormity of the events that happened under the Khmer Rouge regime, I have now a little insight. The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, bear witness to the mass executions of 17,000 men, women and children between 1975 and 1978. Some 8000 skulls are now stored lined shelf by shelf on the stuppa, the memorial, that now stands in the middle of Choeung Ek, as a tribute to the pour souls who were bludgened to death for the sake of saving bullets.
From what I gather, (and with the help of lonely planets helpful insight)the Khmer Rouge implemented one of the most heinous revolutions the world has ever seen. Cambodia became a Maoist, peasant dominated, agravian cooperative. During the late 70's, hundreds of thousands of Cambodians, including the majority of the country's educated, were relocated to the countryside, tortured to death or executed. Those who spoke a foreign language were viewed as parasites and killed. Thousands died of malnutrition and disease.
However, this is where I get confused. The Vietnamese then invaded and overthrew the Khmer Rouge, who fled to the jungle. From there they maintained a geurilla war against the Vietnamese. How could any nation knowingly back an army that caused so much cruelty to the human race ????
I still don't fully understand or even comprehend the enormity of the events that happened under the Khmer Rouge regime, I have now a little insight. The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, bear witness to the mass executions of 17,000 men, women and children between 1975 and 1978. Some 8000 skulls are now stored lined shelf by shelf on the stuppa, the memorial, that now stands in the middle of Choeung Ek, as a tribute to the pour souls who were bludgened to death for the sake of saving bullets.
From what I gather, (and with the help of lonely planets helpful insight)the Khmer Rouge implemented one of the most heinous revolutions the world has ever seen. Cambodia became a Maoist, peasant dominated, agravian cooperative. During the late 70's, hundreds of thousands of Cambodians, including the majority of the country's educated, were relocated to the countryside, tortured to death or executed. Those who spoke a foreign language were viewed as parasites and killed. Thousands died of malnutrition and disease.
However, this is where I get confused. The Vietnamese then invaded and overthrew the Khmer Rouge, who fled to the jungle. From there they maintained a geurilla war against the Vietnamese. How could any nation knowingly back an army that caused so much cruelty to the human race ????
Happy New Year
Wishing everyone a happy New Year!
For me the New Year was spent in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City as it official title but I think Saigon is a more romantic name) in the South of Vietnam. After a very (repeat very long) bus journey on this most rickety bus I have ever seen we arrived four hours late to a very busy Saigon. Finally after a struggle we found a room high above the main street over looking the festivities. The street was ladden with food and drink stall, there was a stage with singing and dancing, face painting, kiddies game and much more. The city was alight and so were the streets with hundreds of thousands of motor bikes on the street. Apparently there are a million (I think) motor bikes in Saigon and all of them appeared to be out for the night.
To me Saigon is a very cosmopolitan city, and quick wealthy, or at least in relative terms. Of all the cities I have ventured through so far, it does give the more (dare I say) western feeling.
For me the New Year was spent in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City as it official title but I think Saigon is a more romantic name) in the South of Vietnam. After a very (repeat very long) bus journey on this most rickety bus I have ever seen we arrived four hours late to a very busy Saigon. Finally after a struggle we found a room high above the main street over looking the festivities. The street was ladden with food and drink stall, there was a stage with singing and dancing, face painting, kiddies game and much more. The city was alight and so were the streets with hundreds of thousands of motor bikes on the street. Apparently there are a million (I think) motor bikes in Saigon and all of them appeared to be out for the night.
To me Saigon is a very cosmopolitan city, and quick wealthy, or at least in relative terms. Of all the cities I have ventured through so far, it does give the more (dare I say) western feeling.
January 1, 2007
Crazy Drivers
The driving in Vietnam is just nuts.
It appears the larger the vehicle the more right of way you have on either side of the road. They just overtake - no matter what is coming from the other direction, just honk the horn and expect them to get out of the way. Seriously, I can't believe it. I saw a motor bike swearve almost into a shop and numerous times onto pavements.
And crossing the road. Ha. Take a deep breath, glance at the oncoming traffic, then proceed slowly across the road as the motorbikes sweep around you left and right. DO NOT run... or attempt to dodge them. When you get to the otherside take a deep breath and go for a stiff drink.
It appears the larger the vehicle the more right of way you have on either side of the road. They just overtake - no matter what is coming from the other direction, just honk the horn and expect them to get out of the way. Seriously, I can't believe it. I saw a motor bike swearve almost into a shop and numerous times onto pavements.
And crossing the road. Ha. Take a deep breath, glance at the oncoming traffic, then proceed slowly across the road as the motorbikes sweep around you left and right. DO NOT run... or attempt to dodge them. When you get to the otherside take a deep breath and go for a stiff drink.
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