And Onto Bangkok

Our time in Tonsai has came to an end and we were sad to leave.  We were finally getting into the swing of things.  It took the first two weeks to really acclimatise to life and the climbing in Thailand. But for the final 10 days we found projects to work and we were feeling more confident and happy with our climbing.  On the last day climbing Andrew sent his first ever 7b.  It only took 4 attempts, so clearly he has not reached his limit.  The route was Tiger Queen on the beach in Dum's Kitchen, a short but stiff little route.  On day one, he wired all the moves and surprised himself by sending on the first attempt on day two. Needless to say he made the route look easy.  I had found a number of other routes that I would have liked to redpoint, but we just ran out of time.  Two routes in Wild Kingdom and a third route on Dum's Kitchen.  We left Tonsai with an excuse to return one day, projects to tick, but we also left happy with the couple of routes we'd ticked there.

Andrew sending his project, Tiger Queen, 7b in Dum's Kitchen..

Me bouldering on the beach in Tonsai

And so on the 1st December we arrived into bustling Bangkok at the very early hour of 5.30a.m. after an overnight bus ride.  We found our hotel, hoping that they would let us check in, but alas no – we had to come back at 10am :( but at least they let us leave our bags.  So off we trot down Khao San Rd (I can tell you I've never seen it this quiet!) at 6am – a couple of laps of the area, a very long breakfast, and a trip to a coffee shop for coffee and Internet and it was finally 10am – and we were allowed to our room - a room with AC and a hot shower, oh the little joys... The next three days were spent sightseeing. First up the ultra modern, ultra large MBK shopping centre, Wat Pho and the magnificent Grand Palace, the obligatory walk down Khao San Road for a little shopping, and of course find the quiet coffee corner off the beaten track, to relax and get away from the bedlam.

Base jumping from the top of Tonsai Roof

One of the glorious buildings inside the grand palace

Andrew and the Grand Palace Bangkok

And then we were on a bus to the airport....if I wasn't awake before getting on the bus, I was as soon as he started driving.  It was one of the most hair raising bus journeys I have ever been on!   Next stop Mumbai.