Adventures Climbing Through the Thai Jungle

As my rickety boat pulled up to Tonsai beach, I was looking forward to a few days where I could relax on the beach and do yoga every evening. I was also excited to try a rock climbing lesson. The Krabi Peninsular in Southern Thailand is a haven of jagged, stunning limestone cliffs. What I hadn’t been expecting was to wander in to the jungle, freestyle rock climb, and come across a hidden lagoon.
Once I checked in to my 100 Baht-a-night bungalow I met Elias, a dreadlocked Italian who told me about the hidden lagoon and how he had already been twice, and how he would take me there tomorrow.
The next day we came to the beginning of our ascent to the lagoon nestled within the limestone cliffs.There was a steep, muddy wall through the trees. Thankfully, there was a thick rope to hold on to. As we got to the top I thought the hard part was over. I could not have been more wrong.
The lagoon was below us, waiting, down a sheer wall face. Or more precisely, three walls. Three vertical walls with naturally formed foot holes dotted sporadically. This was the part of the journey where I wanted to turn around. But I couldn’t. Whilst the sensible girl in me worried, the adventurer in me was determined. So I climbed down the sheer wall face, with no ropes, with my body getting covered in the thick, moist mud, with my body shaking in fear that I would slip.
We climbed down the walls, through the dank jungle, and into the light. Into the cool waters that was the fabled hidden lagoon.
I felt as though I was standing inside a cathedral, designed and built to worship Mother Nature. I felt humbled, in total awe and quite alone, as I stood in that empty, jurassic space. We were the only ones there. It was strange knowing that only a walk away there were people on holiday in fancy resorts, yet here we were, in the middle of a timeless place which no one else knew or cared about, and where nothing else mattered. The world was quiet, filled only with our own awe, and the occasional chirp of a bird.
If anyone else is wishing to replicate this experience, simply get a boat from Krabi Town to either Railay Beach or Tonsai Beach. Tonsai is the best budget backpacker option for anyone wishing to stay a few days, which I recommend. Make sure you go to the lagoon with at least one other person. Don’t go in the rain, and leave nice and early so you have plenty of daylight. Make sure you feel physically up for it and are willing to help your friends. Other than that, enjoy your paradise.