We had arranged some more diving this morning, for a change… I’d suggested the Profun Divers shop however we wanted to dive on a wreck. Kari and Ted hadn’t done the wreck with Phil and I in Koh Tao and I think wished they had done after they saw the photos. Profun would have sorted us out, but it would have been via longtail boat. I can’t imagine climbing in and out of a wobbly little longtail with all the heavy diving gear on. It was hard enough without all that when we went Snorkeling yesterday. Instead we signed up with Island Divers who had a proper full sized boat going out. Awkwardly, I bumped into my guide from Profun, Vera, that morning at the bakery getting breakfast…
Category: Travel
Boots n Boats
After my early night I rose surprisingly late to find Dan packing as quietly as he could. There is no mistaking the sound of quickdraws in the morning. In that long moment between sleeping and waking I was transported back to my university climbing days. The warm balsam of nostalgia evaporated like the morning dew as I became aware of my surroundings. Dan was leaving today, off on a boat trip around the islands before his ferry back to the mainland, so we didn’t get to do any more climbing.
Jaws
When I travel to a place, I deliberately don’t do much research. Realistically, there is so much going on in the world I’m not going to see all of it. Doing research gives you loads of options but because I like to experience everything, I’d end up having to choose and missing out on other things because of the limited time I have. Personally I’d rather not know about the things I’m missing, but focus my energy on the things I’m doing. And if, when I get home, someone says, “did you see…” and I didn’t, I start a list of what to see when I go back one day.
I like to get recommendations of what to, it’s a great way of picking the best things to do and avoiding the crap. It makes my life easier, and so far I’ve only had good experiences because of it.
Beast Mode
WHAT AN AWESOME DAYS CLIMBING!
The DWS was cancelled in the end due to lack of numbers. We thought we would get a guide and a boat to ourselves for a while, but it was not to be. A little frustrating but it all worked out for the best because…
Rest Day
OK so we have been climbing for 3 days straight. We need a rest day. Also, Geoff tweaked his wrist coming off a route yesterday. He couldn’t do the move and dropped onto the rope but didn’t let go. He held the feature to long and now may have damaged something in his wrist. Time for a break, before a break.
Lord Of The Fives
Today was an excellent day.
After renting a bit of gear we headed down to the beach. Phil had made his return to Krabi to join us on his last day in Thailand. He wanted to come over to the beach to meet us last night, but the boat fair had grown exponentially from 100b (£2.50) to 1200b (£30)
Better Bolts
The crag we had picked out today was in the sun most of the day. So we got up late, relaxing in the comfort of the new room. It’s such an improvement. I spent some more time reading my new book and just chilling out.
Headgames & Heartache
Having met Geoff, we agreed to get somewhere to stay that was a bit more comfortable. The shack I was holed up in, technically did the job. But when your midnight ablutions are filled with trepidation about falling through the floor, it’s time to find somewhere new.
Alone Found
I was in Stroud a couple months back. Just wandering around the town with Angus, popping in and out of shops. There was some sort of festival on and the streets were alive with quirky activity. Colourful people danced and jostled around looking at the next passing attraction.
We stopped in a bookshop and spread out to explore, picking up books and commenting across the hushed isles. Here i came across a book, whose title eludes me, with a passage that struck a chord. I’ll try and paraphrase as best I can but I did not memorise word for word. The gist of it was;
Rain In The Ocean
The boat left at 6am, which meant we had to be there for 5.30am which meant leaving the apartment at 5am which meant getting up at 4.45am! Just not a cool time in the morning. I had bought a cakey loaf thing and canned coffee for breakfast to help down the sea sickness tablets. I’m so glad I did take these because the crossing was very rough. We had booked the fastest ferry off the island but it was still 3 hours of lurching, swooping and buffeting to reach the main land. I did my best to remain unconscious as this was the only way I was keeping my loaf down. Continue reading Rain In The Ocean