Island Retreat- Tonsai Beach southern Thailand

Hi everyone! We have been without internet access for the last several days. We spent about a week in Kho Lanta and then took a 3 hour mini bus ride to Krabi Town where we jumped on a long boat. It's about 40 minutes by boat to Railay Beach. You get off on one side of the island and then take the only sidewalk over to the other side to Tonsai Beach (where the backpackers stay). It was just amazing. It's a rock climber's paradise. There are huge rocks that stick straight out of the water, some of them must be 2,000 feet high!

We stayed at the Kasbah Bungalow for 450 Baht/night. Hammocks were abundant and they had a nice place to relax with pillows, Happy Hour prices, and good music. A family of monkeys jumped from tree to tree overhead. Our bathroom had a stone floor and one night we came home and heard a noise. Johnny looked down and there was a 2 foot snake in our bathroom!! The Thai guys were not scared at all, and told us to "Be one with the jungle!"

We did do a little rock climbing but not the type with ropes and caribeners. To cross from Tonsai back to Railay during high tide, you must either pay 50 Baht for a long boat or rock climb! We stopped to ask a climber for directions and he said that you just "walk over" these rocks...HAH! I determined then that I am REALLY out of shape!

We also did an evening snorkeling trip to 4 tiny islands. It was just incredible. The coral was severely damaged from the Tsunami however the fish life is very abundant. We saw 4 lion fish, giant clams about 2 feet long, angle fish, cow fish, spiny sea urchins, parrot fish, etc. I can't even describe how cool it was so see these up close and personal! Alex and Johnny also swam at night in the phytoplankton.

We met a little Thai boy and girl who were about 4 years old. Everyday we eat at their family's restaurant. One day during low tide they came along with us looking for seashells. The children here are just magical, they have huge smiles and they all help their family with the business. We will miss those two!

Johnny decided to return to Bangkok to look into his passport situation. He may try to meet us up in Chiang Mai or return to Texas soon. It was a ton of fun having him around and we'll definitely miss his company. There is never a dull moment with Johnny around!

Alex and I left Tonsai in a long boat at went over to Ao Nang. When we arrived, we asked around for a remote place on the beach and were taken to PAN Bungalows.

It was secluded and beautiful! The beach wrapped around the bay and there was nothing else in sight. We paid only 300 Baht/night however our beers added up to be much more than the cost to stay! Our skin is tan from laying out our beach mats and reading.

 During low tide you can literally walk out about 250 yards to search for sea shells. We saw tons of sand dollars, star fish, giant crabs, and others.

Alex even attempted to catch his own dinner. A French couple showed him that you take a rake and walk along the soft sand to find cockles. He was gone for quite a long time and returned with a handsome find- 2 cockles!!! Local fishermen bring nets out during low tide to catch crab.

From there we took a VIP bus (double decker charter bus) for 12 hours to Bangkok and then caught another bus to Chiang Mai (another 14 hours of watching horrible Thai movies). We are here for about 8 days. Tomorrow we are leaving on a 3 day/2 night elephant trek through the jungle!! We also float down the river on a bamboo raft and stop in to meet the Karen people. We are really looking forward to it. Sunday is the Thai new year. Chiang Mai holds the largest celebration in Thailand.

We miss you all, keep in touch!! We'll write again soon!
~Loranda and Alex