First we had to bus our way from the airport in Krabi to the Ao Nang pier where we were able to catch a long boat over to Tonsai.  And for most people Tonsai is gonna be an unknown.  And for good reason.  Its not really for normal people.  Most people just head to the famous Railay beaches.  But for the climber inside some of us, Tonsai is the place to be.  A real dirtbagger kind of place.  Just where we wanted to be.  The small little community that is made up of the residents and climbers of this place can make you thing the rest of the world doesn't even exist.  A true climbers paradise.  Sleep in beach bungalows, wake up to the beach and beautiful towers of limestone just begging to be explored with the fingertips.

After spending the first evening just exploring the shops and tasting all the lovely fresh fish (including some of the best shark I've ever tasted in my life) we dove head first into some more climbing.  Was super happy to be continuing the climbing experience with my uncle.  In just a couple days of climbing outside for the first time he was really getting the hang of the whole lead belaying concept.  He helped keep me safe on one of the most wicked climbs I've ever completed.  A gorgeous 6c.  The first 10 meters or so is easy 5 plus climbing but the second part of the route digs deep into the 6c.  Hugely exposed with grand views of the bay and overhung like a son of a bitch.  With a bit of a sketchy section as well as far as the bolting goes.  Finished strong and knocked it out of the park though.  Super excited for myself.

Dabbled a bit in the deep water soloing as well well down in the Tonsai.  Went with a group of climbers that far exceeded my capabilities which was not only a joy watch but made for a couple exciting moments.  I didn't trust my ability to land properly though above the 30 ft mark but that's okay with me.  It kind of shreds the fingers a bit as well.  Soggy wet finger tips on sharp limestone equals shredded fingertips.  Climbed through a slight tropical storm as well which added to the difficulty of the climbing. Wet everything in climbing equals rough fun.  Also took some time to climb one of the classic routes called Groovetube.  While at that krag though, had to experience yet another accident one that would most certainly ended in death if not for the almighty GRIGRI.  Its ridiculous the amount of people climbing that use such poor technique when belaying.  The girl that almost kicked the bucket was freaked out of her mind.  As was the rest of the people in her group.  So much so that the next girl that climbed had me freaking on my climb just cause she couldn't keep her breathing under control.  She was hyperventilating on the wall which almost caused me to do the same.

But after enjoying some gorgeous climbing and some beach chilling had to get in a little bit of the kayaking action.  Went out with my uncle on a kayak and found some more cliff jumping to do which was nice.  Found some sweet cave to kayak through and then ended up having to chill in it for awhile while a storm blew through the area.  Trying to paddle back to the beach through that was quite tiring to say the least.  But as all trips to do the good times had to come to an end.  But not without one last short trip to one of the most beautiful buddhist temples I had been to the whole time I was in Thailand.

After leaving Tonsai beach in order to be close to the Krabi airport I spent my second to last day in the city of Krabi.  Rented a scooter and went to find the Tiger Cave temple.  After some getting lost and all that good stuff I was able to push through the suffering of climbing the mountains 1200 plus steps the go almost vertical to the top.  What a magnificent view.  It makes you wonder why people would climb so high in order to build a sacred site.  But not much longer after being at the top do you understand.  Descriptions don't even come close.  What a peaceful way to end my trip.  After coming down off the top of the mountain I enjoyed walking back through a secluded valley where the monks live and meditate in the caves close by.  Truly a simple life here. Leaves me in a stunned manner to think of living this way, but I gain an understanding as to how their lifestyle can help me improve my own way of life.

So hopefully after the most peaceful trip I've ever been on I will be able to use the experience to help better understand my true self as well as others and find ways to improve true reality.

And everyone knows how the rest goes.  The saddest part of my trip was landing in LAX.  The easiest way to know you are back stateside is to just take one look at the people.  We truly are the land of OBESITY.  Its sad really.  Didn't see any of that why I was in Thailand. I spend 30 some plus hours in planes and airports finding my way back to the states to see severe amounts of OBESITY.  Completely disgusting.  But that's besides the point.  30 plus hours and I'm finally back home.  Wait.  Thant just doesn't seem right. Finding my way back to where I live.  That works.  I've found with all the traveling I've done,  Home wouldn't be the correct word to use.  Getting back to Ohio is just getting back to where I live and work.  These people and places I go to see though,  They are my home.  Goodbye Thailand.  Hopefully it won't be to long before I pass through again.