Rock climbing in Thailand

Tonsai Beach,

which is awesome for:

Rock climbing

Deepwater soling

Island hopping

Cliff faces

and caves

Krabi

These guys have been friends for 40 years!

After 10 days, it’s time to fly to their own hemisphere, home. 

The wives and kids are waiting.

Backpacking in Thailand - Part 2: Tonsai Beach

Tonsai Beach, a nice secluded beach, unknown by most tourists, but a mecca for rock climbers.

So, how do you get there?

 Take a night train from Bangkok to Surathani, 14 hours is better spend sleeping.

Then, take a bus to Krabi, don't be surprised when you get shuffled into another bus every 15 minutes, but three hours later you'll be there.

Next challenge is to find a bus that will take you to the pier of Ao Nang.

Charter a longtail boat to bring you to Tonsai, if unlucky, try to make it to Railay Beach and hike the 20 minutes through the jungle over the mountain. Be sure to make it there with high tide, low tide will get you wading through waist deep water for 200 meters, remember backpacks are sure easier then suitcases when you're also carrying two kids...

The 20minute boat trip is very enjoyable on a calm sea, okay the boat is a bit noisy, but the view very much makes up for it.

You're there, well almost, next step: accommodation, since online reservations aren't an option. 

We were there in low season and easily found 5 bungalows very cheaply.

Aren't they sweet together? Tineke & Frank and Janneke & Bram. 

Very relieved to finally be there.

Even though the showers only run cold, they are fabulous.

With the first beers being poured, the quiet and some food, we start to wind down. 

Listening to the lapping of the waves, a nice dinner outside, under the trees. 

Looking out on a beach softly lighted by the moon.

Backpacking might be basic, but seven babysitters are a huge luxury.

Most of the day, the kids play in the gentle waves, or make sandcastles on the beach.

While the adults have a go at rock climbing, meet my youngest sister Lisa.

We organise a little island hopping, snorkel trip with one of the locals.

Tim is keen, very keen and a natural.

A postcard

Our favourite breakfast spot, the monkeys are very cheeky. With all the huts being open for ventilation it’s easy for them to get in the kitchen. You'll hear a clatter of pans, a scream and out they go again, followed by a very cranky looking cook with a catapult.

Sisters?

Sander, very happy between fellow monkeys.

The atmosphere is very relaxed, you still hear a lot of Bob Marley around here, the locals are so friendly. The kids have some local kids to play with, it's like a small village where everyone keeps an eye out for each other.

Meet Fon, the local barista.

Sophie and Opa Paul, thick as thieves.

Playing volleyball with the locals.

After a great week and a very warm farewell, we're of again. In for another day of traveling, next stop Khao Sok National Park.

Climbing in Thailand

Thailand

This Thursday Sander will be gone for 10 days to go rock climbing and deep water soloing in Thailand with his best friend since toddlerhood, Erik.

For those that are not familiar with deep water soloing:

No ropes involved,  just a refreshing splash in the sea if you fall or reach the top,
(or in this case when your grip breaks of).
Yep that’s Sander being a monkey, this picture was taken in 2006 on our honeymoon in South East Asia.

Sander and Erik go rock climbing together every two years, hopefully my stay at home with the kids won’t be as dramatic as last time... (link)

Mt Arapiles (VIC)

Reunion since our climbing at the Blue Mountains, old time friend Erik came down for some more rock squeezing and an occasional beer!

One of the highlights was a 120 metre, overhanging multipitch route. This featured an infamous traverse in the middle- forcing the climber to put his head down into a small cave and stick his butt up in the air (photo available by request only)

Sidestep into the Grampians with McKenzie falls as object for the lens.

Several boulders around the main cliff allow the rope to cool down. Below you see me struggling in the "squeeze test". This is a narrow crack where you can enter on one side and give birth to yourself on the other.

And finally some magic scenery on the Great Ocean Road. I was happy I could join Marijke to prepare for the cyclone. We ended up being cut off power for 2 days and 5 days from our telephone. Several trees and fences were blown over in our area but everything in our garden is still standing strong. Quality fencing mind you!

Finger Board

Voordat deze site helemaal in een baby blog veranderd - we komen onze koppen laten zien over een paar weken! Door verhoogd thuiszijn heb ik besloten meer trainingsmogelijkheden in te bouwen:
Tadaaa! ; een fingerboard, mooi isdie he!- en je kunt er ook nog aan hangen:

Volgens de leverancier klim ik binnen 4 weken 8c - dat red ik net niet voor 23 mei!
Maargoed.
Tot slot twee foto's; uit de collecties "wilde dieren" en "dak van de buren". Aan de eerste foto kan ik toevoegen dat het wilde dier op de trap zat, en dat onze kat daar een definitief en gefragmenteerd einde aan gemaakt heeft. De tweede foto toont het dak van de buren, gewoon om naar te kijken.
(sorry het dak is wat onderbelicht)