Krabi

On the 22nd feb I departed the partying hostel in phi phi in need of some rest and headed by boat to Krabi and a bigger hostel. The hostel in krabi is fantastic and really geared up for us backpackers and I had a decent wifi connection finally!!!

The second day I decided to visit Tiger Cave Temple which is at the top of 1237 stairs! So the first challenge was to get there, I had to go early before it got too hot, the big tuk tuks (can't remember their correct name, but I know it begins with S!) don't seem to be about that early in the morning so are haggling with a motorbike taxi I'm off ( holding on for dear life!) I finally arrive at 8:30am and am confronted with more of my favourite animal...... More flipping monkeys! If I never see a monkey again it will be too soon - only because they don't leave you alone and I don't want rabies!!! Anyway I very swiftly get passed the darling things without being attacked and then the hard work really begins. It's already so hot and my heart feels like its going to jump out of my chest after 500 very steap steps. I then ask myself who's stupid idea this was! After about 45 mins I reach the top, very red faced and i think I was actually beginning to melt.. The view however was absolutely stunning as hopefully you will see from the pictures once I upload them. There is a massive Buddha at the top, no tigers though ;) Legs really wobbly I then head back down and try to find the big tuk tuks, again no sign of them so another motorbike taxi back and then back to the hostel and time for some breakfast.

The day after I head off on a trip to James Bond Island and some canoeing. We set off in another minivan (another favourite of mine, just like the monkeys) and get to our long boat. It takes about 30 mins before we get to our canoeing place, we have a guide who actually paddles so I just sat there and admired the view of all the rock islands, the scenery was the stunning, the jellyfish not so nice though. They were massive and there was a huge number of them. We were told it was jellyfish season after we got in the canoe, consequently there was certainly not going to be any swimming at James Bond Island. 20 mins later we get to the island, the island from the boat looks fantastic and like a gorgeous place to, minus the tourists! There were hundreds of people, all pushing and shoving to get through the small pathways to the beach and get to the 'must have photo' view point. I don't think I have ever met so many people with absolutely no manners at all! Luckily for me the tour guide showed me an even better place for photos which had no tourists in - result!

The scenery was stunning, it's just a shame about the hoards of people, a victim of its own success. Very glad that I went though. We then headed off for lunch at the floating village which was very nice. After lunch it was off to the waterfalls, which is a standard stop on these trips, so again it was mobbed. There are usually 9 different pools you can swim in but because of the lack of rain only 4 were deep enough. The trees and surrounding greenery provided me with some well needed shade. In some ways it reminded me a little of waters meet in North Devon ( one of my favourite places ), just a tropical version and no rain! A great day!

The 25th feb sees me depart Krabi and fly to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur for 3 nights......good bye Thailand, it's been great fun! And I will be back!