I left Tonsai yesterday, a bit nervous and apprenhensive of what the next couple of months would hold. But it was time to leave and I always like a good challenge.
Ko Lanta was the first stop. I got the ferry from Tonsai, via Railay. Would you believe they made us get off the boat for 30 minutes in Railay. I could have walked in ten minutes from Tonsai. Anyway finally I made it to Ko Lanta, a dusty beachside village. I managed to get myself into a taxi and headed for long beach, carefully avoiding the touts who were offering a free taxi ride, but to a secluded beachside resort. Hmmm. On arrival I bumped in and started chatting to a lovely german lady, who promptly invited me to share her bungalow, since the place was full, which I decided to take her up on her offer. It turns out she has been to Ko Lanta quite a few times and had lots of stories to tell. I hung out with her and two of her friends for the evening.
This morning, after a wander around and a trip to the beach, I took a bus and ferry to Trang. A rather a large town south of Ko Lanta. It is hub for getting buses throughout southern Thailand. So, I easily arranged a bus to Kuala Lumpar - which apparently goes via Hat Yai, and stops there for a few hours. I guess I will have time to discover it. Trang, seems to be a normal town, so to speak. I have only seen one or two western people, in the few hours I have been here. It appears to be more industrial than touristy.
February 28, 2007
Girly Climbing, Kayaking, Diving, What a way to end my time in Tonsai :)
So my time in Tonsai is now over. I was definitely sad to leave. But I figure that its the right time to leave, remembering the good times and not outdoing my stay, wanting to come back for more :)
So what did I get up to for my last week. The week started with some hardcore girly climbing. Myself, Michaela and Isa took the Tyrolean Wall by storm and climbing away to our hearts content, ticking a number of so called classic (according to Wee's climbing guide).
A gang of us went for dinner in the Andaman after our hard days climbing, only to be acosted by a gang of Russians, dragging us off to a beach party. Turns out they had brought a lot of alcoholic duty free to Tonsai and it was Jameson Whiskey. We all had a little some more so than others. But it was a fun evening and luckily a couple of rest days followed.
On the second of my rest days, getting ichy feet for some activity, myself, neal and ryan rented a couple of kayak and paddled around the bay, a great way to see the surrounding areas from a different perspective, although a little tiring - luckily for me I decided to go diving in Phi Phi the next day.
So, in an attempt to kill two birds with one stone, I did a two dive trip to Ko Phi Phi. The dives were spectacular. I even found Nemo.
We dived just beside Maya Bay (where the Beach was filmed). It was crazy the number of tour boats, in the little cove. It does look specatular, but then so does Tonsai. I was glad I was diving in the slightly more quite, Maya Nui. The reefs were alive with an abudance of colour - I was really amazed and my faith in diving has resumed. I will be diving again, and sooner than I had planned. Hmmm, 2 days time.
Well after a fun days diving it was time to get back on the rock. Myself and Michaela had a plan. We have 2 days and a route to project each. Lucikly for both they were side by side. So the next two days were spent bolt to bolting the routes, and taking big whippers, whilst trying desperately to get the route. Finally on the last attempt, I got mine clean. I was thrilled. Michaela on her last attempt too, flew up Missing.
Before I left, Tonsai, i thought one more dive trip would be a good way to end a great trip. So I headed back out to see, to dive a wreck -the King Cruiser, Anemone Reef and Shark Point. Again, it was great. I saw a leopard shark, found Nemo again, a yellow moray and many more. I can back exhausted but enthuased.
So what did I get up to for my last week. The week started with some hardcore girly climbing. Myself, Michaela and Isa took the Tyrolean Wall by storm and climbing away to our hearts content, ticking a number of so called classic (according to Wee's climbing guide).
A gang of us went for dinner in the Andaman after our hard days climbing, only to be acosted by a gang of Russians, dragging us off to a beach party. Turns out they had brought a lot of alcoholic duty free to Tonsai and it was Jameson Whiskey. We all had a little some more so than others. But it was a fun evening and luckily a couple of rest days followed.
On the second of my rest days, getting ichy feet for some activity, myself, neal and ryan rented a couple of kayak and paddled around the bay, a great way to see the surrounding areas from a different perspective, although a little tiring - luckily for me I decided to go diving in Phi Phi the next day.
So, in an attempt to kill two birds with one stone, I did a two dive trip to Ko Phi Phi. The dives were spectacular. I even found Nemo.
We dived just beside Maya Bay (where the Beach was filmed). It was crazy the number of tour boats, in the little cove. It does look specatular, but then so does Tonsai. I was glad I was diving in the slightly more quite, Maya Nui. The reefs were alive with an abudance of colour - I was really amazed and my faith in diving has resumed. I will be diving again, and sooner than I had planned. Hmmm, 2 days time.
Well after a fun days diving it was time to get back on the rock. Myself and Michaela had a plan. We have 2 days and a route to project each. Lucikly for both they were side by side. So the next two days were spent bolt to bolting the routes, and taking big whippers, whilst trying desperately to get the route. Finally on the last attempt, I got mine clean. I was thrilled. Michaela on her last attempt too, flew up Missing.
Before I left, Tonsai, i thought one more dive trip would be a good way to end a great trip. So I headed back out to see, to dive a wreck -the King Cruiser, Anemone Reef and Shark Point. Again, it was great. I saw a leopard shark, found Nemo again, a yellow moray and many more. I can back exhausted but enthuased.
February 18, 2007
7a 7a 7a, 7a 7a 7a
Me a happy camper, finally I not only get a new grade but I got a number. I redpointed my first ever 7a. I was so happy. Lom Ham in the Keep. A very long route (30m) with a crux about a third of the height up - then a stamina run to the finish. He he he, I will definitely remember that route.
February 15, 2007
What to do next?
So my time in Tonsai is slowly coming to an end. I have at most a week left, then it is off to Singapore for a few days before travelling via Bali to Syndey, where my next adventure begins. I am really looking forward to it. My plan is to find some cheap flights to Hobart first and go and visit Domhnall... you better be there :). Then camp out in Sydney for a while and attempt to climb in Nowra and the Blue Mountains... then its the Arapilles and the Grampians... wohoo... I can't wait.
Although, I will miss paradise - it is time to leave. I would like to leave thinking that I would like to return. Speaking of returning, word has it on the beach that the face of Tonsai will be different the next time anyone goes back. For those of you who know Tonsai, they are building a Railay style resort in front of the beach. Apparently , all of the bars have been giving their notice for April, when construction begins. The section from Freedom bar all they way to the other end of the beach and as far back as the back road, will be no more. The huts, bungalows, bars and restaurants on the far side of the road are to stay the same. Its a shame really. But at least there will be still bamboo bungalow for the climbers to rent.
I guess it might not happen, but that is not the impression that everyone is getting.
Although, I will miss paradise - it is time to leave. I would like to leave thinking that I would like to return. Speaking of returning, word has it on the beach that the face of Tonsai will be different the next time anyone goes back. For those of you who know Tonsai, they are building a Railay style resort in front of the beach. Apparently , all of the bars have been giving their notice for April, when construction begins. The section from Freedom bar all they way to the other end of the beach and as far back as the back road, will be no more. The huts, bungalows, bars and restaurants on the far side of the road are to stay the same. Its a shame really. But at least there will be still bamboo bungalow for the climbers to rent.
I guess it might not happen, but that is not the impression that everyone is getting.
Fire Dancing
So, last weekend, there was a competion for the best fire dancer in Tonsai. Unfortunately I have no idea who the winner was, but it was very pretty, indeed. Mostly Thai competitors, but a couple from random other places to - it was fun trying to take interesting shots of them. Kept me occupied for a few hours :)
February 13, 2007
Massage
So, I finally took the plunge - went for a back massage. For the first half an hour I was so tense and it hurt like crazy, but gradually my back started to relax and I could really feel her working all my muscles. I came out feeling so relaxed. They (hopefully) seem to know what there were doing, as she found all the knots in my back and spent extra time on old injuries, which was great.
Today, however I feel a little sore again, I think to reap the benefits, you really have to go a couple of times. So I guess I will have to book myself in tomorrow again :)
Today, however I feel a little sore again, I think to reap the benefits, you really have to go a couple of times. So I guess I will have to book myself in tomorrow again :)
February 6, 2007
Multipitch Madness and Alpine Starts
The last week was spent racking up as many classics as we could before John left to go back to the sunny isles of home. The first two on our hit list were the Big Wave and Beauty and the Beast. Two 6b multi-pitches which we managed somehow to do in one afternoon, although regrettably I had to second the last pitch in the dark. Hmmm, not the most memorable experience.
... clips from my mind on the route ....looking up thinking there's a shadow, maybe that is a hold, jump, aghhhh its a slopper, oh there's another, try that... arghhh another slopper... where are the jugs, john??? ouch, what was that? arghh tufa, where'd that come from... hmmm, I am not liking this, grrrr...
Obviously, with finishing in the dark, we had to abseil off in the dark. While although the anchors are fairly inline, I still managed to rap into a tree... it was at about this moment, my mood changed from jolly, to, get me outta here, NOW :( Twas a great day though.
The other multipitch classic that we had on our ticklist was Humanality on Tonsai Wall. But to make the most of the route, its an early rise, alpine style. Poor Carole was grumpy and well John went into alpine mode. It was amusing as I cried my way up the route as route, shouted, ahem, encouragement up to me. The route was, lets say, interesting and definitely worth doing, ONCE. I don't think I will be doing it again, soon.
Last weekend, there was a fire show on, where all the local and not so local, poy fire dancers strutted there stuff. It was a spectacular event.
... clips from my mind on the route ....looking up thinking there's a shadow, maybe that is a hold, jump, aghhhh its a slopper, oh there's another, try that... arghhh another slopper... where are the jugs, john??? ouch, what was that? arghh tufa, where'd that come from... hmmm, I am not liking this, grrrr...
Obviously, with finishing in the dark, we had to abseil off in the dark. While although the anchors are fairly inline, I still managed to rap into a tree... it was at about this moment, my mood changed from jolly, to, get me outta here, NOW :( Twas a great day though.
The other multipitch classic that we had on our ticklist was Humanality on Tonsai Wall. But to make the most of the route, its an early rise, alpine style. Poor Carole was grumpy and well John went into alpine mode. It was amusing as I cried my way up the route as route, shouted, ahem, encouragement up to me. The route was, lets say, interesting and definitely worth doing, ONCE. I don't think I will be doing it again, soon.
Last weekend, there was a fire show on, where all the local and not so local, poy fire dancers strutted there stuff. It was a spectacular event.
February 4, 2007
February 2, 2007
Fulll Moon Madness
At a last minute decision, myself, Sean, Neal and Dawid decided to take a short trek across Thailand to the Gulf coast, to Ko Pha Ngnan, to experience the legendary FULL MOON PARTY. After a 12 hour journey (everything takes longer in Thailand), we eventually made it to Haadrin at 10 pm. And what a night it was.
Starving, we ventured into the first free restaurant we could find and had a finest english feed. Omlette and chips for me, chicken and chips for the boys. Then to the beach. The standard drink of the night was vodka, red bull and coke, served in a bucket. Picture it - a kids bucket for making sandcastle filled with ice and alcohol and 4 straws. However, as they say - when in Rome do as the Romans and as you can imagine the night that followed was to say the least interesting.
A beach filled with dancing as far as the eye can see, fire works, flaming banners, did I say dancing, empty bars (everyone was on the beach), white sands, warm sea (hmm maybe not from the weather).
Starving, we ventured into the first free restaurant we could find and had a finest english feed. Omlette and chips for me, chicken and chips for the boys. Then to the beach. The standard drink of the night was vodka, red bull and coke, served in a bucket. Picture it - a kids bucket for making sandcastle filled with ice and alcohol and 4 straws. However, as they say - when in Rome do as the Romans and as you can imagine the night that followed was to say the least interesting.
A beach filled with dancing as far as the eye can see, fire works, flaming banners, did I say dancing, empty bars (everyone was on the beach), white sands, warm sea (hmm maybe not from the weather).
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