We started early today as we traveled from Chiang Mai to Railay Beach in Southern Thailand. We'll be staying here for four days. The flights weren't very convenient so we had a long layover in Bangkok.

Upon arrival, our driver met us at the airport with cool towels and water. He drove us to the dock where we hopped on a boat for a 30 minute ride to our hotel, Rayavadee. Since it was low tide, they drove a tractor and portable dock right into the water, up to the tractor's axles. At the hotel, we had a cool drink of coconut milk and lime sorbet and more cool towels smelling of lime. Keely is in heaven with all the limes!

The hotel consists of about 100 individual two-story huts throughout about 26 acres. There are 3 beaches, multiple restaurants, pools, tennis courts - the works! We walked along one of the public beaches to check out our options for dinner and then walked across the grounds to the west facing beach to watch the sunset over the ocean.

There are lots of activities and excursions to other islands that we plan to do over the next few days - including rock climbing on the steep cliffs that rise out of the ocean (if I can convince Keely to try it). We're looking forward to relaxing for a few days!

Kevin