Feb 11 - 18: Rai Leh (Railay), Thailand

 The bus from Bangkok dropped us off at the pier in Krabi from where we took a long tail boat across the bay to Rei Leh East. It wasn’t however until we walked a dirt path to Rei Leh West that the absolute azure of the water melted with the sky right in front of us. Framed by mangroves, coastal rock formations, and stalactite caves Phangan Beach felt otherworldly and grand, yet very intimate and secluded. Absolutely amazing sight. The site is home to some of the best rock climbing, offers great kayaking, snorkeling, and diving opportunities, not to mention mega olympics in beach bumming - discipline we excelled in guilt free for a week. Grand plans to visit neighboring Andaman island of Ko Phi Phi took a back seat as we explored more of Rai Leh’s surroundings.      

Rai Leh West

path leading to...

 ...paradise - Phangan Cave Beach

beach bistro serving thin pancakes with various fillings and other Thai staples

rotti with chicken, vegetables, and spicy sauce on top

with banana and nutella

long tail boat operated by pretty massive motors that require serious maneuvering 

In lieu of a day trip to extravagant Ko Phi Phi island, we hopped a boat to explore various smaller islands in the archipelago...

Sebastian making a splash and scaring all the pretty fishes

taking too many photos of these traditional longtail boats is impossible

day five on the beach and still hopelessly white as the snow

we got the urge to sweat more than usual and climbed to the viewpoint in Rei Leh

definitely well worth the effort

I got pretty excited about this tree, but how could you not?

cathedral high canopy ceilings

Feasting upon our return: stir fried noodles with chicken and vegetables, coconut noodles, and curry with meat and fresh basil and curry leaves.

Every home, bar, restaurant has one of these small temples near the front entry. Fresh offerings are put out every morning after ruthless roosters have finished their morning call and the floors have been swept clean.

bamboo home for the week with hammock being the most prized furnishing