Thailand

Climbing Krabi!

While we lived in San Francisco's Mission District we frequented an indoor climbing gym, Mission Cliffs, where we focused primarily on top-rope climbing. After a year of indoor climbing Gil planned a day date to get an outdoor climbing lesson at Castle Rock State Park. It wasn't long before we learned we were in over our heads. The similarities between indoor & outdoor climbing seemed virtually non-existent and as a result we spent most of the time struggling to complete one route.

Fast forward 1 year & countless days spent bouldering at El Cerrito’s Bridges Rock Gym to get in shape for our wedding & we flew (ok, I’m using this word lightly) up the routes set up on the east side of Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand. We used a company called Railay Rock Climbing Shop which assigned us an awesome guide named Jay. Luckily for all of us Jay showed us easier routes if we started to struggle and safely belayed all four of us the entire day. With a beautiful backdrop & harnesses securely fastened, this was one of the most physically rewarding days of our travels to date.

Climbing Gear (Click Image for More Photos of Our Day Climbing)

Climbing Gear (Click Image for More Photos of Our Day Climbing)

*travel Tip: Do NOT buy a roundtrip ticket to Railay if staying on Ao Nang beach. The return is only good until 6pm so you are left with no time to explore, watch sunset or have dinner.

7 Island Thailand Tour - Christmas Day 2013

For Christmas Day 2013 we decided to take it easy with a boat tour around the surrounding islands of Krabi, hoarded into a songthaw and then onto a long tail boat that easily had double the amount of people on-board then is safe we were out at sea.  Wind in our hair and smiles on our faces, we had the perfect day. Snorkeling both during the day & at night with phosphorescent plankton all around, playing paddle board on the beach, BBQ sunset dinner & fire show on an uninhabited island, and most importantly with our siblings with us!

Sunset Dinner 

Sunset Dinner 

Kayaking Krabi with the Kin

First Danny (Gil's brother).. then Tash (Jess' sister).. all the siblings have arrived & its time for some healthy competition. What better way then pairing up in a girls vs. boys kayaking dual. Sure the pictures my seem peaceful but don't be mistaking the girls had the right recipe for success when it came to navigating the sometimes narrow mangroves to the open bay of the Thalane Bay in Krabi, Thailand. 

Kayak Launch Site (Click Image about for photos of our kayaking trip)

Kayak Launch Site (Click Image about for photos of our kayaking trip)

Our tour company, Krabi Trek,  picked us up on time &  although a little pushy ensured that we were able to navigate the entire mangrove instead of turning around. *Travel Tip - Check yourself or ask the company what hours high & low tide are before committing to the trip. Doing a loop is always better than doing an out and back, right??