Ao Ton Sai - Day 59-67
Trip Start
Jan 31, 2008
1
54
251
Trip End
Ongoing
Krabi,
Thailand
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Last night was a crazy drunken affair at a beach bar. Met some English girls from Manchester and Sheffield and it got rather messy. It was a beautiful crystal clear night with a full moon, it was so bright it was like day light on the beach. The light reflecting on the sea and sand, the silhouette of the craggy limestone cliffs in the background. Obviously a great night and location for a piss up and that's certainly what we did.
As a result of last nights activities, it's a hangover day today. Slept till 3pm. Nothing more to say accept I feel rough and I'm not drinking tonight, or possibly ever again!!
Day 60 - 22/04/08
Had to do something constructive today after the hangover day yesterday, so decided to explore the sea caves and stacks along the peninsula in a sea kayak
Ton Sai Beach 1
. Some great sea caves which you can paddle straight into, loads of big rocks and stacks too. Stopped off at a few nice beaches on the mainland and landed on a tiny rocky island for a rest in the shade. An International climbing competition starts in Ton Sai in 3 days so the place should be buzzing with climbers and travellers soon. I'll probably stay here until it's over and then head up to Ko Samui or Ko Pha Ngan. I really want to visit the Ang Thong national marine park which is a group of 40 islands 35km west of Ko Samui. Suppose to be the most beautiful islands in Thailand and relatively untouched.
Day 61 - 23/04/08
Another late night and another wasted day. I'm seeing this laziness as my chillout after hard weeks in the Himalayas and recovering from illness. That's my excuse anyway.
More people are starting to arrive for the climbing competition. There's also a fire contest which involves spinning around sticks and chains which are on fire. I've seen the hippies do this in Goa (not very well though), but there's suppose to be some really talented people taking part so it should be quite a spectacle
mmm! Banana Milkshake
.The guy I met on the boat from my home town lost his wallet last night after falling asleep on the beach. I left him in the bar at around 4am and he must of passed out after I'd left. Bit of a nightmare, his cards are now gone and a reasonable amount of cash too. So I've helped him out until he gets the replacement cards sent out from the UK. A massive hassle you don't need when travelling.
Day 62 - 24/04/08
Heavy rain today, it was actually quite nice to sit in the hammock on my porch and enjoy some good old British weather. Really cooled the air down, rained most of the afternoon, so just read and listened to the rain falling in the forest around me. A very relaxing afternoon.
I was addicted to tea in Kashmir, now I have an addiction to banana milkshake, been consuming at least 4 a day. Going to have to wean myself off this refreshing beverage before I leave Ton Sai.
Day 63 - 25/04/08
The climbing competition started today
Ton Sai Beach 2
. Watched some of the team lead climbing on Ton Sai beach for a couple of hours. The climbers were good but I thought the standard would be a bit higher due to it being an international event. Tomorrow the climbing is on Railey beach, may go over for a few hours later in the day. It was a heavily overcast day, but not to hot which was nice, especially for the climbers.Went to the party on the beach tonight and watched the first round of the fire contest. Quite impressive to watch. There was a little kid with a fire stick who was a real crowd pleaser, he must have been only around ten years old but he was quick. There was also a Californian fire hula girl who was a great success with the fellas, as she swung her hips in a small bikini. You could hear a couple of guys in the crowd shouting "will you marry me!".
Day 64 - 26/04/08
Talking to a British musician most of the day in a beach side restaurant about all sorts stuff. I met him last night at the beach party. Really nice chap and we get along really well. We share a lot of opinions on the world and are similar in many ways. Top guy!
Walked to Railey beach on the rocky steep path to visit the ATM. Weird experience, it was like returning to civilisation after a long time away. I inevitably wanted to return to the bubble of Ton Sai immediately so I took some photos and returned to my little hut in the forest.
I need to leave this place, its far to easy to do nothing here and stay for weeks
Longtail
. I've had my chillout, now need to get back on the road to see more of Thailand. Day 65 - 27/04/08
"Same Same, but different", a very funny phase which the Thai's use frequently when talking to tourists. On many occasions this phase comes into play when you ask for something which they don't have. They instead bring out an alternative which is nothing like what you originally wanted and say "Same Same, but different". It's also used in many more situations too. I've seen both Thai's and tourists wear T-shirt's with "Same Same" on the front and "But different" on the back. It's obviously become a bit of a legendary Thai one liner.
Probably not going to leave now until the day after tomorrow, but who knows. Been threating to leave here for days, but can't do it. This place really gets a grip on you, just can't leave and everyone else who comes here says the same. It's like the island in the TV series "lost". "Same Same, but different".
Chilled again today, another afternoon of talking, eating and drinking milkshake at a beach side restaurant. Great people and atmosphere here so the hours just roll by, then the next thing you know its 6pm, shower time, then off out again for food and drinks
Climbers 1
. Getting into a bit of a habit of spending my days like this.Another big party on the beach tonight with a live band, market stalls and the fire contest final. As the evening progressed the tide came in really far up the beach and nearly took the stage and audience out to sea. In typical layback Ton Sai style nobody seemed too concerned and the party just continued.
Day 66 - 28/04/08
Didn't move from my local last night, the Kasbar where I'm staying. Another ridiculously late, but fun night. There's a German guy in his fifties who been here for months. He thinks he's the resident DJ and doesn't let anyone else near the decks. When anyone approaches his sacred DJ area, he says "get out of my office". He claims to be the best reggae DJ in Thailand, he does play some great tracks but his mixing is nothing to be desired. Also, he has such funny mannerisms and you can sit and watch him for ages and be thoroughly entertained by his strange gestures and movements.
Heavy rain this morning, woke me up a couple of times, but then just proceeded to fall back to sleep again. Going to take it easy at the Kasbar again tonight, it's a short walk from my hut and it's a very laid back and comfortable. So it's never a difficult decision where to go most nights.
Day 67 - 29/04/08
Been thinking of trying to get a visa for north Korea
Climbers 2
. It's around 10 weeks until I'm in the region and it could be an extremely interesting detour if I can fit a week in. I'll have to go on a government tour, so I'll be followed everywhere. Regardless, I'd love to go, so I'm going to start investigating the options when I return to civilisation.On the topic of returning to civilisation, I bought my ticket to Ko Pha Ngan today, finally! I'm leaving early tomorrow morning. Not staying there too long just going to use the island as a base to visit Ang Thong national park. Then up north to Bangkok and Chanig Mai.
Haven't done any real rock climbing since I've been here except for a bit of bouldering. I know it's a poor show but I don't feel that guilty, I think I've needed some time to relax after a hectic start to my adventure.
