Where we spent Christmas, Koh Phi Phi Don.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Koh Lanta, southern Thailand
Arrived here yesterday after 4 nights on Koh Phi Phi. Everyone had told us Phi Phi horrible, Lanta good, so its a surprise to find that Lanta has its downsides too. No central place to spend the evening, just a 20 km strip containing (perfect white) beaches, resorts, bars, restaurants etc. On Phi Phi, which is Party Island (a downside or an upside depending on your point of view and the location of your bungalow), you can at least walk everywhere and there are no vehicles. Good climbing too, and but few climbers due to the slightly costlier accommodation versus the nearby Railay. Very hot in the sun, climbing possible only in the shade. Snorkelling good (saw 2 sharks and a Moray the other day). Tan consequently rather neglected and patchy.
Thought it wise to go for the first of five rabies jabs today after being attacked by three male macaques on Monkey Beach, Phi Phi. I stood ground but on they came. Nothing but a small scratch, but you never know.
Here there is some caving, complete with bats. Went on a rented a motorbike (with proper manual gears...!!), then on to the cave and also to Lanta Old Town and almost down to the end of the road and the National Park, but the offroading on sand got a bit too technical. Linda bored with beach...first it was shopping, now this. She may be changing. Curly mop too, and I thought she had straight hair until we arrived in Bangkok.
Moving on tomorrow. At least it is only a few hours boat or bus to the next stop, Krabi or Railay, so no need for a multiday epic.
Arrived here yesterday after 4 nights on Koh Phi Phi. Everyone had told us Phi Phi horrible, Lanta good, so its a surprise to find that Lanta has its downsides too. No central place to spend the evening, just a 20 km strip containing (perfect white) beaches, resorts, bars, restaurants etc. On Phi Phi, which is Party Island (a downside or an upside depending on your point of view and the location of your bungalow), you can at least walk everywhere and there are no vehicles. Good climbing too, and but few climbers due to the slightly costlier accommodation versus the nearby Railay. Very hot in the sun, climbing possible only in the shade. Snorkelling good (saw 2 sharks and a Moray the other day). Tan consequently rather neglected and patchy.
Thought it wise to go for the first of five rabies jabs today after being attacked by three male macaques on Monkey Beach, Phi Phi. I stood ground but on they came. Nothing but a small scratch, but you never know.
Here there is some caving, complete with bats. Went on a rented a motorbike (with proper manual gears...!!), then on to the cave and also to Lanta Old Town and almost down to the end of the road and the National Park, but the offroading on sand got a bit too technical. Linda bored with beach...first it was shopping, now this. She may be changing. Curly mop too, and I thought she had straight hair until we arrived in Bangkok.
Moving on tomorrow. At least it is only a few hours boat or bus to the next stop, Krabi or Railay, so no need for a multiday epic.
Friday, December 18, 2009
It seems that Canyoning in Southern Europe is to be translated into Polish. According to Poltran.com it could translate as *Canyoning* w Południowej Europie by *John* Spekulant (zwyżkowy; grać na zwyżkę).
It will be interesting trying to keep on top of abbing, rapping, Farmer Johns and shorties without an international misunderstanding.
It will be interesting trying to keep on top of abbing, rapping, Farmer Johns and shorties without an international misunderstanding.
Today I've been motorbikin' around Cat Ba Island, and taking in a bit of the National Park where you can hike up to a rickety watchtower in the jungle and go up six flights of rusty stairs to a viewing platform. No sign of the endangered monkey species of Cat Ba Langurs though: apparrently there are only 60 left. Linda took a boating option to rest her still-swollen ankle following the motorbike tumble, but it's been a cold day and it can't have been much fun.
We're a little bored with the food. You can have anything you like so long as it's spring rolls + beef/pork/chicken +/- stir fry/noodles/fried rice or noodle soup or fish +/- chilli or soy sauce. Looking forward to the culinary variety available everywhere in Thailand.
I have a theory that they invented the Pot Noodle in Vietnam, and will be investigating.
We're a little bored with the food. You can have anything you like so long as it's spring rolls + beef/pork/chicken +/- stir fry/noodles/fried rice or noodle soup or fish +/- chilli or soy sauce. Looking forward to the culinary variety available everywhere in Thailand.
I have a theory that they invented the Pot Noodle in Vietnam, and will be investigating.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Cat Ba Island, Vietnem
This place at first seemed surreal, as we found ourselves in the kind of off-season resort that we often frequent in Spain for a quick shot of good weather and climbing. But we're in Vietnam in December, and the place is strictly locals-plus-travellers only at the moment as all the Hanoi residents are staying at home. On arrival we found ourselves a decent hotel ($10/night); since then the weather has been mostly warm and pleasant. First day: we booked a boat trip out to some islands, including stops for kayaking and climbing. All good stuff.
Things got a bit less surreal when, next day, we hired motorbikes to get around (when in Rome and all that) on an island on which, rumour has it, there are only four cars (I believe it - I've seen one of them!). Linda took a skid and lost her balance - nothing broken, but a bad graze and a swollen ankle were sustained. Back to base for some First Aid and a rethink.
Fortunately, they have 'motorbike taxis', and we've been getting around with one of those plus one normal bike for me (easy: automatic gears, I'm getting the hang - a 'girls bike' according to Linda's taxi-driver Antoine). Thus making our way to-and-from an inland crag at the idyllic Butterfly Valley, we have had two fantastic days' climbing. Tomorrow I'm heading to the National Park for a trek while Linda rests her ankle and takes a boat cruise around the sticky-up limestone islands that you've seen in the brochures. Having a truly fab time.
We plan to head back to Hanoi on Sunday in time to take another look around; fly to Bangkok on Monday, and down to Phuket on Tuesday. Then the plan is to aim via boat and via Kho Phi Phi for the island of Kho Lantau on 24 Dec.
This place at first seemed surreal, as we found ourselves in the kind of off-season resort that we often frequent in Spain for a quick shot of good weather and climbing. But we're in Vietnam in December, and the place is strictly locals-plus-travellers only at the moment as all the Hanoi residents are staying at home. On arrival we found ourselves a decent hotel ($10/night); since then the weather has been mostly warm and pleasant. First day: we booked a boat trip out to some islands, including stops for kayaking and climbing. All good stuff.
Things got a bit less surreal when, next day, we hired motorbikes to get around (when in Rome and all that) on an island on which, rumour has it, there are only four cars (I believe it - I've seen one of them!). Linda took a skid and lost her balance - nothing broken, but a bad graze and a swollen ankle were sustained. Back to base for some First Aid and a rethink.
Fortunately, they have 'motorbike taxis', and we've been getting around with one of those plus one normal bike for me (easy: automatic gears, I'm getting the hang - a 'girls bike' according to Linda's taxi-driver Antoine). Thus making our way to-and-from an inland crag at the idyllic Butterfly Valley, we have had two fantastic days' climbing. Tomorrow I'm heading to the National Park for a trek while Linda rests her ankle and takes a boat cruise around the sticky-up limestone islands that you've seen in the brochures. Having a truly fab time.
We plan to head back to Hanoi on Sunday in time to take another look around; fly to Bangkok on Monday, and down to Phuket on Tuesday. Then the plan is to aim via boat and via Kho Phi Phi for the island of Kho Lantau on 24 Dec.
Monday, December 14, 2009
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