After we have breakfast and check our emails – as well as finally update our blog - we walk to the port to catch a long-tail boat to Hat Ton Sai – “Hat” is the Thai word for “beach”.
There is another couple from Portugal waiting for a boat as well, but we need another two people before the driver will go. So we spend the next hour chatting away, while we wait for more people.
The boat ride is about 45 minutes, past wonderful scenery of cliffs and the ocean. We get dropped off at East Hat Rai Leh and have to walk to Hat Ton Sai from there.
The area is not an island but definitely feels like one due to the limited access and the layout of the four beaches. Three of the four beaches have guesthouses – West Rai Leh being the posh area, East Rai Leh being the mid-range area and Ton Sai the cheaper option. Ton Sai also happens to be the area with the most climbing options, so we decide to head there. However, in order to access Ton Sai during high tide, which is what it was when we arrived, we have four options:
1. Wait for low tide and walk from West Rai Leh toTon Sai.
2. Spend the money and take another long-tail boat.
3. Hike 45 minutes along a relatively flat trail from East Rai Leh to Ton Sai.
4. Hike a short but very steep hill between West Rai Leh and Ton Sai Beach.
Eric and I opt for the quick, but painful, route.
After settling into a quaint bungalow in the jungle – the bungalows by the water are few and far between and way too expensive – we grab a bite to eat and then start scoping out the area for climbing.
The Krabi area is known as a climber’s heaven. Hat Ton Sai in particular is very popular as it’s surrounded by cliffs on three sides and the ocean on the fourth. The ranges of climbs are great – there’s stuff for everyone, from beginners to experienced climbers.
Eric and I have been carrying around our harnesses, climbing shoes, chalk bags and belay devices for 3 months, so we’re very anxious to justify their extra weight. After talking with all the shops, we decide to rent our gear from Viking Climbers Shop. The staff is super friendly and it’s conveniently located next to the area we’ll end up spending most of our time climbing.
And they have a pet monkey named “Benny”, who’s a kleptomaniac and spends most of his time at the front of the shop stealing from the pockets of people who get too close.
Based on our history with monkeys, we keep our distance.
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