Railey Beach

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This blog by Jacqui:

With engagement bliss radiating through Railay Bay the next few days were anything but short of celebration or adventure. Lucas and Alexis took a 20-minute walk that turned into a 2-hour jungle expedition amidst hummingbird-sized mosquitoes. The four of us headed out on a kayaking expedition to Phra Nang Cave and had an impromptu kayak party with beer, cheroots, Thai Whiskey and Bob Marley blaring from the portable stereo. We don't seem to need any excuse for a party but when we have one, well, need we say more. A one-day speed boat snorkelling trip is where I was reintroduced to Phi Phi Island and the devastating effects of the Tsunami. The once idyllic island community has been taken over by huge ugle concrete hotels, disproportionate in size to the beaches and landscape they service. We quickly moved on from Phi Phi to for a quick stop at Maya Bay where they filmed "The Beach" and then to Bamboo island for some more snorkeling. We made friends with our boatmates Scot and Sara (Colorado, USA) and had a delicious thai seafood dinner at Railay beach east.

Having only a couple of days by the pool Jake and Lucas were a hit with the younger kids on holiday and they spent hours in the pool inventing games while Alexis and I sipped beer and watched the incredible sunsets.

Recommendations:

Railey Bay resort and spa - excellent location, excellent pool, TERRIBLE service - so stay on Tonsai Beach instead

Kayak trip to Phra Nang Cave

Yah Yah's restaurant for grilled seafood

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Photos

Railay Cliffs
Rockclimber's Paradise

Railay Beach
Alexis forgot to shave her legs for this shot

Birds Nest Soup
People pay big bucks for Bird's Nest Soup, which is basically dried swallow regurgitation spit

Tsunami Evacuation Route
They need to evacuate all the anglo tourist trash and concrete hotels that have sprouted post tsunami. Phi Phi is one of the most beautiful places on the planet that you should definitely avoid!

Pool Party!
Jake and I played games in the pool with all the little kids for hours on end - we were like rock stars

30 year olds
the one on the left looks like a south american drug smuggler with a beard-growing problem - the one on the right is a XXL blonde Richard Simmons