Railay, Krabi
23rd-26th October

So im not actually sure if anyone's reading anymore as we have been so crap at keeping this up to date. We have had problems with getting pictures up in particular. Very sorry guys but ill try to fill in the gaps since we last updated.

Moving day is never much fun but the move from Ko Phangnan to Railay was one of our least favourites. We left Ko Phangnan before sunrise and took a taxi to the pier, then a 2hour boat to the mainland, then a 3hour bus to Krabi, then a 30minute van, then a 30 minute longtail boat to Railay. It was blistering hot, our bags were ridiculously heavy, we were so exhausted and the long walk to find our bungalow was a nightmare. To top off an annoying journey where we were screwed about with transport, we were also the victims of petty travel crime! Basically when we got our rucksacks off from under the bus, we noticed our small pink trespass towel lying on the bus boot floor. Now this towel was inside my locked backpack so we knew our bags had been raided. Luckily we had been warned about this really common problem on thai tourist buses so we had all our valuables in our small bags on us- basically a wee guy goes through everyone's luggage below the bus during the journey- they are expert lockpickers! I noticed when i opened my bag that an empty wallet i had at the bottom of my rucksack was sitting on the top so clearly they thought they had got lucky. Also Steve's little wooden box where he keeps his contact lenses (but it looks similar to a jewellery box) had been opened. We were so angry but couldnt do anything about it.

Anyway, despite all this, the journey was totally worth it because Railay is now one of my most favourite places in the world. It is on the mainland but only really accessible by boat. It's on a peninsula so you can walk from one side to the other in 10minutes so it felt like an island. The islands next to it were used in one of the James Bond films so i wanted to visit for you Mum but never managed to fit it in.

Railay is picture postcard material- emerald water, white sand, dramatic cliffs and caves (full of bats). Fell in love with Phra Nang beach- so stunning, wild (but tame) monkeys swinging in the trees above you, rock climbers (it's famous for it) hanging from cliffs- just amazing!!!! We visited the west beach for its famous sunset and it didnt disappoint- it's up there with watching the sun set over the grand canyon 6 years ago!

Railay is world famous for its rock climbing and Steven eventually wore me down. We booked onto a course and i was so scared!!!! Our instructor 'Ten' was a super cool Bob Marley look alike and he was hilarious. We had such an amazing time- it was probably one of the most physically challenging things ive ever done. Some of the climbs were really difficult but the feeling of getting to the top and the view from up there made it all worthwhile. Having said that, my muscles suffered for the next few days! Steve was in his element!

Railay also had fab nightlife- really laid back and chilled- loved it so much. I was so pleased when i managed to phone the twins on their 22nd birthday in Sydney- first we'd spoken in 2 months and it was so good.

Didn't want to leave here and def want to go back!!!xxx