Ton Sai Climbing Heaven

With a 15 kilogram bag I left for the far side of the resort beach and found the connecting path to the alternate world of the backpackers and climbers.  It was a bit of a strenuous climb up and over to the other side but I needed the conditioning having not climbed in over a year.  As I entered the new world I spotted a dive instructor from the place I received my open water certification.  He immediately showed me where he was staying for super cheap.  I got my own bungalow with a double bed, so so sheets and a working toilet and shower, though, not what you would call luxury, actually boarding on very poor but it works.

Railay, Thailand

The first night we grabbed some food at a little hut which was delicious and decided to meet up in the morning to find some climbers with ropes to adopt us.  We met at the food hut in the early morning I ordered the best fruit yogurt and muesli and coffee and we waited, and waited, and slowly gave up on hope of finding climbers, after all it is the low season and not many people are floating around.  Just when almost all hope was lost our angel Martin from France appeared and invited us to climb with them.  I rented a harness and off we went to find a wall to climb.

After not climbing for nearly a year my start was slowing. not finishing the first route which was graded a French 6b+, so 5.10b/c for the Americans.  Low on confidence and feeling week I was not sure I would be able to climb anything here until things changed for the better....which only took another 20 minutes.  I made another go at a 6a route and not only completed it but felt confident, next step, leading, maybe not this time around. 

Climbing Ton Sai

I spent the next couple days either climbing or recovering from climbing.  I met loads of others who were also their for the amazing limestone walls and quickly made friends and climbing partners.  Ton Sai was so beautiful and laid back.  The low season also was refreshing as there were fewer people and places open so it made life simplistic and relaxing.  After 5 nights on Ton Sai I decided I was ready for a change of pace away from the sun and the sand and heading to something more cultural. 

My original plan was to head into Northern Thailand but after much debating and problems trying to figure out timing with Georges arrival and my visa expiring I decided it was best to waist some time in Cambodia.  I took a boat to Ao Nang, then a van to Surat Thani then an overnight bus back to Bangkok.  I arrived at 5:30 in the morning to Bangkok full of exhaustion and ready to collapse.  I was unable to process anything in my brain and decided it was best to get a room and stay another night in Bangkok until I could sort out my next move.....somewhere in Cambodia.  Today I have roved around Bangkok with a fellow backpacker from Colombia.  I have practiced my Spanish and am ready to head to the boarder at 7am on to Ankor Wat.

Railay pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/linseypaddock/Railay?authkey=Gv1sRgCKj2uaSh_ajs2gE&feat=directlink