Phi Phi Island, Thailand - My Birthday

 I've dived around Phi Phi Island before, but for the boyfriend here, he has always been curious about the sites here. I'm not much of person who likes touristy beach areas with the pubs and bars, which Phi Phi Island really is just that. If you like the beach and party scene, this place will really suit you. 

Unfortunately, I've cut out drinking almost entirely. They say exercise is for people who can't handle drugs and alcohol. I'm kinda just like that.

And...the mandatory photo if you're in any part of Thailand that has a beach resort. 

Aside from the sun, sand, and bars, the massages are awesome, and there's some nice crags to climb. I was concerned whether it'd be like Krabi - Tonsai & Railay areas which aren't that built up. It is always important to bring the right luggage especially when you've got heavy gear in tow. My roller luggage did just fine here. 

Taking a long long walk from the resort to the crag in the background just to take a look on the first day.

A map of Phi Phi Island. It's pretty congested with people and the paths are not all that wide. But it takes about half hour to walk from one end to the other. 

Day 2 & 3 - 6 dives + 1 night dive, and a very naggy dive computer. 

Let's go diving! 

 Lots of stonefish at the dive sites. So better watch out! 

Walking back to the dive shop. We dived with Blue View Divers, and highly recommend if you're thinking of linking up with a dive shop before heading over. 

We didn't get to go out to King Cruiser Wreck and Hin Daeng & Muang because on our last day of diving, the waves were just really too choppy, so the trip was called off. Oh well, guess that's just another reason to take a break. 

All in all, with pretty decent lodging - air con, bed and hot showers are a luxury for me, oh and a TV. We spent most of our night watching not-so-old movies. We paid about S$120 per night per. We have our full set of gear, so we got extra discount :D 

Anyhow, diving in Phi Phi, the rates are controlled. 

Drying out the 'laundry' 

Since we couldn't go out to dive, we decided to go climbing instead. Lots of 5Cs and 6As. 

We got a guide anyhow, because we didn't know the area, although we could have just rented the rope and quick draws. I think the guide had a super relaxed day out.

Sometimes I wish the bf could take more flattering photos of me...

 Well, we all have to eat right? Supposedly the best Padthai noodles on Phi Phi. Looked a bit dodgy at first, but this came highly recommended from our dive guide. Portions are big too! 

Ok, I'm not much of a foodie, so this is about as much as I can do to describe it. 

Taken from about 25metres up. Phi Phi Island, till we meet again!

[Climbing+ Dive ] Krabi, Thailand

24th - 31st March 2012 (8 Days) 

My first real overseas trip for 2012. Krabi, climbers' paradise. Chillout paradise too. The last time I went was back in 2010 and over the period of Nov/December. Good time to go. This trip was out of the peak season and things were tapering down. We still managed a lot of good sunny days.

Getting there was a 4 hours flight and then a 45 minute drive to Ao Nang. If you're not in Krabi for climbing, most people stay at Ao Nang. It's more of a tourist area with many hotels and amenities. But if you're thinking of spending most of your time climbing, take a Long Tail boat at the beach to Railay or Tonsai. We stopped by Ao Nang to gather supplies because on the other side, things can be a little pricier and limited.

 Ao Nang for lunch

On the Long Tail boat to Tonsai.

 We arrived at Tonsai Beach but since it was already around evening time, most of us spent lazing by the bar.

 If you're ever at Tonsai, the MUST TRY thing is this extremely unhealthy barbecued chicken thigh. The best thing ever on the island.

Well the rest is history with regards to the trip. The bunch of us stayed at Tonsai then headed over to Railay for the rest of the trip.

I'm perspiring more from the walk up to this crag I think rather than the climbing. Posing with my new toy, Cinch. 

Gathering at Base Camp (that's the resort's name) to head off together to Railay.

I also managed to squeeze in a day of diving since everyone's always been saying "they heard" this and that about diving in Krabi, I decided that heck it, just go. It cost us around $150 if I remember correctly for two dives out at PhiPhi Island.


About an hour and a half out to Phi Phi Island via boat.

 Turtles

 I think this fella thinks I'm a shark.

 This shot of me is when I dislocated my arm underwater. WTF, yes I know. I dislocate my arm for the most ridiculous things. Typing at the computer, sleeping, stretching out my arm... Well, for the benefit of this incident, I did dislocate my arm earlier on in the trip while I was trying to retrieve a quick draw left on another route. Luckily, my arm pops back in rather easily. Except this time, under water, it stayed out for a rather long time. Eventually it did go back in once I got out of the water.

The diving sites had some really amazing walls and macro stuff. In terms of diversity, I would really go back to do more dives.

After the dive, I decided to relax and not climb any more.

Dead mosquito on the book.

We also tried Deep Water Solo-ing. You climb up as high as you can then jump into the water. Sometimes you fall before you can reach where you want to, but that's the fun of it.

Ladder up to the start

Best time to go: Late November to March
Budget: 8 Days, less than $900. Depending how big a eater you are and what sort of accommodation you're willing to put up with. This number can even go below $600. Typically a comfortable room with hot shower, TV and air con would be about $50 - $60 a night.