My last day on Railay (Saturday), I spent it alone. Derek and Liz were headed for Koh Lanta, and I didn't have enough time left to travel with them and then head back to Bangkok. I spent most of the day reading on the beach, and just soaking up my last bit of Thai sun. I fell in love with the south of Thailand. Thinking back on my 3 months in Pattaya, it was such a different world, and it is crazy that the same country can be so ugly and so stunning at the same time. At the last minute, I bought a bus ticket back to Bangkok instead of taking the overnight train as I had planned. It is such a hassle to take a taxi, a bus, AND a train...when I could just get on a bus that would take me straight to Bangkok. My bus left at 5PM the next day (Sunday) and arrived in Bangkok at 4:45AM the next morning. Ironically enough, the bus dropped us off on Khaosan Road...which is the same spot my taxi dropped me off the day I arrived in Thailand 3ish months ago. Not to sound cheesy, but it felt like I had come full circle.
Thailand has been an incredible experience for me. It feels like I have been here for a year. All of the obstacles I had to overcome, all of the good times and bad times had here, the kids in my class that I came to love, the ugly town I had to learn how to live in, the awful motorbike crash that feels like it happened ages ago, and then the wonderful experience backpacking around Thailand...all of it was worth it. I think back to my first month here, when I had a bad day and wondered why the heck I hadn't just gone to Italy. I thought of how I could've been experiencing delicious food and beautiful architecture, instead of doing my business in holes in the ground, and eating questionable meat all the time. It is now so clear to me that my life led me to Thailand because I needed it. I needed to go somewhere that was going to challenge me, that was going to stretch me beyond my limits, and take me so far out of my comfort zone. I have grown so much during my time here, and in so many different ways. I am so glad that I took a blind leap and followed through with my desire to experience Thailand. It has truly been the best thing I've ever done, and I'm so proud of myself for making it through alone.
Thank you for following my adventures!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Just reeeeeelax.
Our final day together, we opted for a relaxing day of reading and laying on the beach. It was a nice change of pace since we had been going non-stop since we arrived two days ago at Railay. We had breakfast at our favorite little restaurant by the beach, and then turned into beach bums for the rest of the day. After dinner, we decided to get massages. I had considered getting a foot massage because my feet were so sore from hiking barefoot, but I decided on a full-body oil massage instead. My lady was quite the explorer with her hands, and got a little too personal...to the point where I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes and I had to ask her to stop. I will give you a hint....she went to town on the region just north of my stomach. We all died laughing for about an hour after our massages. I just couldn't believe it, even though I knew it was a possibility. Usually, however, they give you a towel to keep that area covered. She must've been into me or something. Anyway...........it has been wonderful to have two friends here with me for the last adventure of my time in Thailand. I've enjoyed traveling alone, but it was really great spending time with both Liz and Derek. They are the funniest people I know, and we spent most of our time together laughing. Laughter is good for the soul I tell ya! Here are some pictures:
Boats that serve food...like BBQ'd corn on the cob...YUM!
My favorite Thai fruit. I'm unsure of the name. Looks gross but tastes like heaven.
posing on Pranang Beach.
Liz and Dang. Her name is really Dang.
Last breakfast together!
Bamboo Island, Pi Ley Bay, Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi
The day had finally come for us to board a boat destined for paradise. I had been looking forward to this day the minute I arrived in Thailand. Every picture I've ever seen of Thailand has been desktop background worthy, and up until yesterday I had not seen anything that came close. However, that was all about to change.
On Thursday morning, a speed boat picked us up from Railay West beach at 9:30AM, and we were to spend the entire day going from island to island, stopping to snorkel and swim along the way. After about 30 minutes on the boat, we arrived at Bamboo Island. The water surrounding this island was the most beautiful blue, I don't even know how to describe it. Having been to the Exumas (a chain of mostly uninhabited islands in the Bahamas), I was skeptical of ever seeing water of that color again, but Bamboo Island won. We quickly jumped off the boat and into the water, snorkel gear already on. The three of us spent an hour in the water, seeing everything from turquoise fish, to bright purple anemones. We even saw an eel poke his head out behind some rocks. It was an awesome snorkeling experience!
After Bamboo Island, we headed for Pi Ley Bay. Now, you may think I am exaggerating when I say that Pi Ley Bay was the most beautiful place on earth, but just wait until you see the pictures. It is one of those places that you need someone to pinch you while you're there because it is so unbelievably amazing. Just.....OMG. It was unfortunate though, because our tour guide did not let us get off the boat and swim. Everyone on the boat was really bummed about this because we would later spend an hour on Maya Bay where there was so much trash on the beach we couldn't swim. We all would've much rather spent time swimming in Pi Ley Bay, but that's just how it goes I guess. Let your eyes be amazed:
Following Pi Ley Bay, our boat arrived at Maya Bay. This is the infamous location of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach". While it was another spectacular place to see, the beach was full of piles and piles of trash. It was really awful considering it is such an attractive tourist spot, and not to mention, a national park....They really need to get their act together and get that beach cleaned up! Here are some beautiful pictures anyway:
On Thursday morning, a speed boat picked us up from Railay West beach at 9:30AM, and we were to spend the entire day going from island to island, stopping to snorkel and swim along the way. After about 30 minutes on the boat, we arrived at Bamboo Island. The water surrounding this island was the most beautiful blue, I don't even know how to describe it. Having been to the Exumas (a chain of mostly uninhabited islands in the Bahamas), I was skeptical of ever seeing water of that color again, but Bamboo Island won. We quickly jumped off the boat and into the water, snorkel gear already on. The three of us spent an hour in the water, seeing everything from turquoise fish, to bright purple anemones. We even saw an eel poke his head out behind some rocks. It was an awesome snorkeling experience!
ready for some snorkelin.
Liz with the snorkels.
Bamboo Island beach!
we found it!
happy :)
After Bamboo Island, we headed for Pi Ley Bay. Now, you may think I am exaggerating when I say that Pi Ley Bay was the most beautiful place on earth, but just wait until you see the pictures. It is one of those places that you need someone to pinch you while you're there because it is so unbelievably amazing. Just.....OMG. It was unfortunate though, because our tour guide did not let us get off the boat and swim. Everyone on the boat was really bummed about this because we would later spend an hour on Maya Bay where there was so much trash on the beach we couldn't swim. We all would've much rather spent time swimming in Pi Ley Bay, but that's just how it goes I guess. Let your eyes be amazed:
shoulda been on that boat...
lucky people!
Pi Ley Bay. Go there!
Following Pi Ley Bay, our boat arrived at Maya Bay. This is the infamous location of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach". While it was another spectacular place to see, the beach was full of piles and piles of trash. It was really awful considering it is such an attractive tourist spot, and not to mention, a national park....They really need to get their act together and get that beach cleaned up! Here are some beautiful pictures anyway:
Derek standing behind all the trash.
couldn't swim so I took pictures of my feet! the black mark is a bruise from hiking with no shoes on :(
didn't have to use that route today...thank God.
Maya Bay!
Our last stop of the day, and our final chance to swim and snorkel, was Koh Phi Phi. It was yet another awesome beach with beautiful water. I felt so lucky to have been able to experience such an awesome day. I wish all my family and friends could have been there to enjoy it with me :) Places that are that beautiful, you just want everyone you know to be there too because then you won't have to attempt to describe it to anyone.
neat sign.
our boat guide.
best day!
Derek being brave.
Railay. Railay. Raiiiiilayyy Hey!
Ok so, if you are ever traveling in the south of Thailand, you must go to Railay. It is a peninsula close to Krabi, and it is divided into Railay East and Railay West. The more expensive, nicer-beach side is Railay West, and the more affordable but un-swimmable beach side is Railay East. We chose to stay on the latter, but with it only being a 15 minute walk to the nice beach, it didn't make that big of a difference!
On Wednesday morning, we piled into a long tail boat and headed for Railay. The minute we rounded the corner from Ao Nang, we began to see giant rocks covered in green, jetting from the crystal blue water. It was the most magnificent display of mother nature I think I've ever seen. It is amazing how enormous these boulders are, and how crazy it is that they just sit there surrounded by deep blue ocean. The boat dropped us off on the Railay West beach, and we had to carry our luggage for about 20 minutes until we got across to Railay East. There are no paved roads anywhere on Railay, so no bikes or cars either. The travel agent set us up at the Diamond Cove resort...and it ended up being a great place to stay. It was a nice change from staying in hostel after hostel. Derek, Liz, and I really wanted to get out on the water and visit the nearby islands of Koh Phi Phi, but it was too late in the day by the time we went down to sign up for a tour. We decided to reserve spots for the next day, and prayed that the beautiful weather we had today would last through tomorrow. Being in such a tropical area, the weather can change at any given moment.
With all our beach gear in tow, we decided to explore Railay, and went for a hike up the side of the mountain in search of a lagoon we had heard about from someone over lunch. Not realizing we would be hiking up a sheer vertical rock, we were in for quite a treat. Leaving our shoes behind, we began the long trek up the muddy mountainside. The trail had been forged many times before, so there were obvious places to grab onto, to set your feet in, and so forth. There was also a rope to hang onto for support when needed. Eventually we made it to the top and stopped for a bit at the view point. It was a spectacular view, and probably the most amazing hike I've ever been on.
After stopping to collect some air in our lungs, we followed the very few signs that directed us to the lagoon, which was back down the same direction we had just come up. Getting to the lagoon required climbing down 3 very steep and tricky dried up waterfalls. At one point I had to rest my body on Derek's muscular shoulders because there was just no place to put myself. It was quite the adventure and I am very surprised I managed to make it down because I am terrified of heights. Once at the lagoon, we swam for awhile to cool off, without even realizing how disgusting the water was. We were covered in mud though, so it didn't really matter. We spent maybe 30 minutes in the lagoon and then began the journey back up the mountain, and then back down the other side. The mosquitoes were out and VERY about....biting each of us as we climbed.
Finally back down where we started from, we walked to Pranang beach and dove straight into the beautiful ocean. Pranang is a spectacular beach; so relaxing and serene. It was a great way to wind down a very adventurous day!
On Wednesday morning, we piled into a long tail boat and headed for Railay. The minute we rounded the corner from Ao Nang, we began to see giant rocks covered in green, jetting from the crystal blue water. It was the most magnificent display of mother nature I think I've ever seen. It is amazing how enormous these boulders are, and how crazy it is that they just sit there surrounded by deep blue ocean. The boat dropped us off on the Railay West beach, and we had to carry our luggage for about 20 minutes until we got across to Railay East. There are no paved roads anywhere on Railay, so no bikes or cars either. The travel agent set us up at the Diamond Cove resort...and it ended up being a great place to stay. It was a nice change from staying in hostel after hostel. Derek, Liz, and I really wanted to get out on the water and visit the nearby islands of Koh Phi Phi, but it was too late in the day by the time we went down to sign up for a tour. We decided to reserve spots for the next day, and prayed that the beautiful weather we had today would last through tomorrow. Being in such a tropical area, the weather can change at any given moment.
With all our beach gear in tow, we decided to explore Railay, and went for a hike up the side of the mountain in search of a lagoon we had heard about from someone over lunch. Not realizing we would be hiking up a sheer vertical rock, we were in for quite a treat. Leaving our shoes behind, we began the long trek up the muddy mountainside. The trail had been forged many times before, so there were obvious places to grab onto, to set your feet in, and so forth. There was also a rope to hang onto for support when needed. Eventually we made it to the top and stopped for a bit at the view point. It was a spectacular view, and probably the most amazing hike I've ever been on.
After stopping to collect some air in our lungs, we followed the very few signs that directed us to the lagoon, which was back down the same direction we had just come up. Getting to the lagoon required climbing down 3 very steep and tricky dried up waterfalls. At one point I had to rest my body on Derek's muscular shoulders because there was just no place to put myself. It was quite the adventure and I am very surprised I managed to make it down because I am terrified of heights. Once at the lagoon, we swam for awhile to cool off, without even realizing how disgusting the water was. We were covered in mud though, so it didn't really matter. We spent maybe 30 minutes in the lagoon and then began the journey back up the mountain, and then back down the other side. The mosquitoes were out and VERY about....biting each of us as we climbed.
Finally back down where we started from, we walked to Pranang beach and dove straight into the beautiful ocean. Pranang is a spectacular beach; so relaxing and serene. It was a great way to wind down a very adventurous day!
so excited for Railay!
front of the long tail boat.
yahhooooo!
walkin.
the climb!
shoes weren't necessary....to much mud!
view from the top.
we were already covered in mud.
Liz being helped down by a nice English boy.
in the lagoon!
Pranang beach.
great day :)
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