Thai TIME

Whew what a long journey! The flights (FOUR to be exact) were easy and uneventful, just very very long. We can say we welcomed fresh air with open arms the morning we arrived in Krabi. We had some trouble getting to the pier to get to our first destination Railay. We tried walking, took a cab to the wrong pier and finally figured out where to go. A bit frustrating with our meager few hours of sleep on an hard airport floor and our heavy bags on our back. But we finally made it.

Railay (Kitty Cat island, cats everywhere!) is beautiful. So peaceful and quiet. The weather was a bit overcast when we first arrived and the water was quite choppy. It is a very small town and we all felt very safe. We are staying at a quaint little hotel called Diamond Private. We just got our first dish of REAL Thai food. YUMMY!!! The food is plentiful and cheap, the water is warm and the people are friendly and helpful. Looks like we found a little piece of paradise ourselves.

The day after our arrival on Railay we went rock climbing in the morning, it was incredible. The climbs went so high, maybe 500 feet? We could see the whole island from up there, stunning. We then took a long tailed boat back to Krabi that afternoon and caught the 5 pm ferry to the island Ko Phi Phi. Ko Phi Phi is much more touristy than Railay. Lots of walking streets with shopping and locals haggling for "taxi boat!". No cars here. The food...oh the food. Everywhere you turn are Thai pancakes, curries, stir fried veggies and rice, coconut donuts...all for $1-2. It is so fresh and delicious.

On our third day we woke up leisurly and had fried Thai pancakes on the beach. We found a great little guest house that was very accomodating. The woman (Miss Lee!) running the place is incredibly helpful. She booked us our ferry back to Krabi as well as our bus and overnight ferry to our next destination, Ko Tao. We spent the morning kayaking in the northern bay to monkey beach where we saw a couple monkeys moseying about. That night, Shea was feeling under the weather but Shannon and Laura were able to muster up the energy and meet some people. They even Thai boxed for a free drink in front of a fairly large crowd. Then to the beach where we ran into Paul! A friend from home also travelling in Thailand. Such a small world. Literally delighted to see a familiar face.

The next morning, despite being tired from a late night, Shannon and Laura went on a snorkeling boat tour, where they snorkeled, saw more beach dwelling monkeys, and visited the beach where "The Beach" was filmed. The scenery was breathtaking: multiple small but tall islands with steep limestone cliffs, making them uninhabitable but absolutely incredible.

We have now arrived on Ko Tao on the eastern coast of Southern Thailand. It only took a ferry, a three hour bus ride, and an overnight ferry to get here! It is a much more authentic feeling island, more locals, less tourists. We are staying at Big Blue Diving Resort where Shannon and Shea will get their diving certificate for a mere $300, which includes accomodation for four nights and seven dives. Laura is sitting this one out because she thinks she is just too cool. She is going to go climbing or learn some Thai boxing instead.