I always try foods and activities that I have never much enjoyed about once a year to see if my tastes have matured over time; such as snorkeling. Then there is sour cream (luckily I haven't seen any in Thailand) because that remains in a category of it's own, namely the dislike category. But how 'bout rock climbing?
I love rock climbing. Or should I say I love the idea of it. Which is precisely why half my backpack is full of my climbing gear to tackle some of the best limestone cliff climbing in the world - right here in sunny ol' Southern Thailand.
Armed with more banana bread and extra bandaids, Ashley, Phil and I set off across the Ton Sai beach to Railay. And by "set off" I mean climbed up and over the jagged cliffs, through the bushes and waded
thigh-deep in water to the more established resort area of Railay East. We rented a rope from one of the climbing shops and headed to the "beginner" areas - the 5's and low 6's.
Phil gave me a quick refresher course on the figure eight knot and climbing commands. "Belay On!" Then he top-roped the first climb like it was nobody's business. "Alright Lily! Up ye go!" (But imagine a very Irish accent.) I threw my camera to Ashley, "make me look tough," I told her. And tough... I was not...
Lets just say I dangled around at the top of the rope, aimlessly clinging to branches and sharp rocks meanwhile thinking about lunch as well as the gorgeous view from the near top. After I finally convinced my belayer to lower me back to the ground, Ashley climbed up the same route in about three minutes flat - piece of cake, right? Maybe even banana bread. Then Ashley was off to the beach for some R&R for the next four hours while Phil and I climbed.
I managed to make it up two more routes after much patience from my belayer. (For those non-climbers, "to belay" is to protect the climber from falling by creating friction on the rope.) So after five hours of climbing and belaying, I have come to remember these parts of climbing:
1: Climbing shoes are a near equivalent to Chinese foot binding - really good with all the cuts from the kayak accident yesterday as well.
2: The harness - oh I hate the harness - so hard to put on and take off.
3: The chalk bag needs loose chalk, not those stupid balls of chalk (plus I dropped my chalk ball mid-climb).
4: To belay also means a really stiff neck, someone's life in your hands and well that is enough to make me nervous.
5: Outdoor climbing = sharp rock and no predetermined route...this ain't no gym.
6: I think I will take a raincheck on tomorrow's climb...the beach is looking rather nice.
After our half day of climbing we went to the Railay West beach to meet Ashley, eat lunch and take a nap - face down in the sand. After swimming and climbing the only bandaid still affixed to my skin was one bought in Thailand. The four other American varieties had all fallen off... yet another endorsement to the Thai medical system - they even make bandaids to stick!
As for climbing...I will save my energy for another day.
