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Published: October 8th 2008
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the way to ton sai
...around the little rock jutting out to sea (in the picture, Owen on the way to his last climb) I promise this will be my last report on Ton Sai. The problem is I have so much to say, a wealth of memories to share, stories to tell, pictures to show and people to introduce.
Having spent 20 days in climber's paradise I was finally persuaded by Ashley to climb. I had agreed to before and then refused to many times over but I figured I would be leaving soon and I wanted to know what all the jazz was about.
So, an early morning start saw us venture out to East Railay and onto what was supposedly an easy climb. Firstly, to get to Railay you can take one of many routes, the easiest being to walk over at low tide, or if you prefer to clamber, through the rocky passage at the end of the beach that takes you into the interior which borders the mountains on one side and the sea on the other. It is an exerting exercise but well worth the effort to finally emerge on the other side victorious, albeit dripping with sweat!
The climb was meant to be an easy one and as I sat there watching Ashley lead I
yup that's me
...check out those calf muscles!! (ashley, in the foreground) paid little heed to the route she was taking so when it came to my turn to climb I was all fingers and thumbs scared to move and gripped with fear. It looked so easy when she and the others did it but I just cried like a baby begging to be let down. Climbing is simply not for me. Give me the deep blue sea and the dark dank caves in which to explore for it would seem that I am more comfortable under than above. Excuse the pun!
I made a hasty retreat as soon as I was let down for the comfort of East Railay and a burger leaving the 'climbers' to their sport. On the way back I bumped into them all again downing beers on West Railay beach. It was crazy because just before turning the corner and seeing them all I was thinking of where they would be hoping I would bump into them and lo and behold there they were...i love it when that happens but it never ceases to amaze me!
Due to my failed attempt that day I promised I would attempt another climb on Ton Sai the following
the view from the restaurant
...where i escaped to for a burger day but Kelly had a better propostion. To simply hang out. I suggested we go to Phranang Beach which you can access via East Railay. It is rougly a 30 minute walk from Ton Sai if you don't get distracted en route. It took Kelly and I nearly 2 hours to get there! Please don't ask. My parents would disown me! All I can say is.. no, forget it.
The way to Phranang Beach is very beautiful. Oh, I should also mention that you can also get there by kayak which is what Ashley and I did in a 2-man kayak but Ashley would suggest going with someone who can paddle with both arms!!
Anyway, Phranang Beach is a far better proposition than Ton Sai. Smooth white sand stretching a fair distance with crystal clear water and a penis cave (sorry, fertily god cave) on one side and rock climbing routes on the other.
That was to be my last day in Ton Sai and I said that I would not have a party due to having an early start the following morning and also for the fact that I got pretty wasted the night before on
the excuse that would by my leaving party. It was not to be and I had two leaving parties following a quiet dinner with my girls. We all ended up at the Kasbah after Kelly had finished performing at the Chill Out Bar. Ashley and I had to sneak away her hula ring under the prying eyes of the boss so that she could join us at Kasbah and join in with the other perfomers. It was a spirited night and one that I will never forget. Not just for the friends that were there or the memories that I will have forever but also for the fact that I only returned home after 2am and still had the burden of packing my b****y bag!!
Owen and Tamara kindly gave me a phone and had set the alarm for me but I was so out of it I didn't hear a thing. The sunlight streaming through the windows and my conscinece pricking me to wake up spurred me into action. I was running late and the day was so beautiful. The last thing I wanted to do was leave. I missed my last coffee with Kelly and I lost
one of my walking shoes on the boat over to Railay. I had been carrying those damn things throughout my travels on the premiss that I would climb Mount Kinabulu. I looked everywhere. It had simply disappeared. So, I went to Malaysia with now just one shoe hanging off my bag and a sullen heart as heavy and burdensome as the bags I was carrying.
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