Pictures

I have been blogging from my phone and final got on my computer and downloaded some pictures from my camera. So there are just some random pictures from the Trip so far.

 Table Mountain

 She didn't want to take a picture of us playing cards. I figured she got me playing cards that's an accomplishment that needs to be recorded.

 Village walk

 The front porch

 Wat Pho Reclining Buddha

 Mother of Pearl inlay on feet

 Favorite bridge in Bangkok

 kayaking into a lagoon. Bangkok tree on the left.

 Base of the Bankok tree with Kyle

 Lesley and Erica. Blurry photo

 James bond rock. I cut my feet pretty good playing around here.

 Brandt and his dad cool pyramid rock.

 Flips

 Brandt laying out for a backflip

 Bridge in Nysna

 koh samui rain.

 Leslie and Erica

 Erica Paddling

 Erica titanicing (pretty sure it's a word)

 Climbed out of the kayaks to get up there.

 Climbed the stalactites and fell

 falling

Brandt paddling

 

Not sure why but it didn't want to let me flip the picture.

Kayaking Tonsai

I am now on a ferry on my way to Ao nang. We almost missed it because of me. There was some confusion about my hotel and understandably so. I was in a hotel that had like four rooms in it. It was nice enough. The important thing is that I made it. From Ao Nang I will hop onto a long tail boat and head to tonsai bay where I will be reunited with Brandt.  Tonsai bay is a  small beach area with a really cool climber vibe. I really like it. I am really enjoying traveling on my own and some of the time I have to think and I also enjoy figuring out transport and all of that fun stuff. 

Railey and tonsai

I made it to tonsai ok and got the hotel but Brandt wasn't there so I went wondering and ran into him. I am staying at place up the way. It's not real nice. A cement room that isn't fully sealed so I have a mosquito net. It will do. It's interesting. There is power to the room only from 6pm to 6am. Tonsai is paradise for me. It's really small. Not much going on which is alright. Tons of climbing all around. It's surrounded by huge cliff faces. It has a really laid back feel. The only way to get there is by long tail boat so it stays at least somewhat remote. 

It's thanksgiving and we are getting massages at the same place we got

Many massages last time we were here. We also got fruit shakes from the same stands we visited last year as well. Kind of cool being back. I remember why I liked it so much. It is nice being away from Phuket it was too expensive and had too much going on. The food stands in Ao nang have tons of selection and are reasonably priced. Both good things. 

I had pizza for my thanksgiving. Not real great pizza even. Should have stuck with Thai but we thought we would at least go somewhere with an American menu. 

Tonsai bay is really interesting. It's completely touristy. I don't think any Thai people live here unless they run a tourist place like hotel or restraunts. It's really impractical.  You can only access it really by boat I believe.  It caters to climbers. We hung out by the beach and there a number of bars right on the beach. They had a slack line set up and there are some really good slack liners. Some were doing flips and all sorts of impressive tricks. One guy was spinning fire balls while on the slack line it was impressive to say the least. He was really good.  I ran into my friend from Yosemite. He may be taking off so I am not really sure if I will ever get to climb. We were talking about doing some kayaking tomorrow which should be a good time. I am hoping we can spend some time here. It has a really relaxed vibe. 

I think my room came with a ferrel cat because it hangs out on my doorstep constantly. Except one time I came up and there was a rat by more door and I came back out and there was a frog. 

Today we went kayaking. It was a blast. We went through some caves and saw islands and ended up on some beaches that were only accessible by boat. I got to do some deep water soloing or close to it. I climbed up some stalagtites and jumped into water. It was a really fun time. We are back in so nang for tonight. Brandt's dad is taking off tomorrow morning. We will stay here a couple days as may end up heading to Tonsai during the day and coming back to sleep. We really don't have plans going forward. I am pretty excited about. 

Dinner tonight. 

We ended up going out tonight which ended in a swim at 2:30 in the morning in the pool at the hotel. At least for me. Brandt was using the internet and by the pool is the only place we can get connection.  It was a fun night. Brandt's dad is on his way back to Bangkok leaving us with some decisions. 

Bond, James Bond

Well we are out in the boat and just got back from James Bond island. The scenery here is unreal. I climbed up the rock aways on the island and back flipped off of it. It was really fun. I love climbing. Cut myself up pretty good in the process. Cuts on feet, fingers, hands and arms. We are on the boat and you pass hundreds on islands on the way. 

The weather has been nice. Really sunny this morning. It's raining now but hardly feels like it. It's nice to have a break from the sun. 

I also got to climb the Bangkok tree which is a big mangrove tree in a lagoon that is only accessible by canoeing trough these caves that have a low clearance. Cool places for sure. 

We also jumped off the boat as well. I always love jumping off things. The tour was cool we did some

Kayaking and swimming. I climbed a little. A few wounds to show for it but totally worth it. 

We are driving back to our places to stay and it's a pretty drive. We are going through a grove of rubber trees. You can see where they have tapped the trees and have cut away the bark to allow the sap to run. I remember going to a rubber tree farm the first time I came. 

Beach day

So I had a great day today and mostly because I did as little as possible and enjoyed great food. I met up with a friend from work who is traveling with 2 of her friends and they went to do some elephant trekking. I took the opportunity to go spend some time on the beach. It's a really nice beach in Karon. I also got information on some tours an found a cheaper hotel room. A fun process actually. I went to one place and it was more than I wants to spend so the lady called a friend and then gave me a scooter ride over to the other place. It was two Thai ladies and myself on the motorbike. I am staying at the place they took me. It's a cool room. Right on a street with markets and bars. I am down at the bottom now listening to the music from across the street. It's a Thai girl covering pop songs. It's a little strange to hear them cover country music for some reason. I am up on the third floor and I have AC a balcony with a view of the street and wifi. I feel pretty lucky. 

Then it was more beach filled by more food. Fruit shakes and roti to name a few. They are favorites of mine. Things are good. I am having a lot of fun. Exited to see islands tomorrow. Souther Thailand has a cool vibe. I enjoy being here. I think we might stay a while. 

Beach at karon

The view from my room

I am out on the beach now and it's twenty to midnight. It's peaceful now. There's lightning and thunder in the distance. I am a little concerned a storm is rolling in. It would definitely put a damper on our plans tomorrow. We will have fun though.