rob Posted December 2, 2007 Posted December 2, 2007 I saw a local Thai boy walking on the beach with a brand-new pair of white converse. He was brushing sand off of them, and looked like a proud parent. He probably saved up for them. You can buy conterfeit converse at the markets, they are called "Six Stars" and are signed by "Mark Taylor". But his authentic chucks must have cost him a month's pay. The climbing here is beautiful. I've never climbed rock like this; steep and overhanging limestone cliffs with giant stalagtites (great stemming) and tunnels and pockets throughout the rock. Many of the climbs are protected by threading loops of rope through tunnels in the rock, but unfortunately these threads are usually damaged by UV and salt. On top of this, they are often tied with "single" fisherman knots. I tunneled some old lengths of rope through 1'' webing to replace some of this tat. Also, many of the bolts suffer from internal damange -- from acidic water that percolates through the porous limestone. Yesterday I found a small cave on one of the cliffs that descended into the cliffside 50 meters above the ground, and went farther back than I could see. The other day I climbed a remote jungle trail to a hidden lagoon inside a rock tower. The trail was very steep, scrambling up through limestone with the help of knotted handlines made out of hemp rope. After topping out, you hand-rappel down steep to verticle rock steps to the lagoon below. There is a local reggae bar in the jungle with live music. There are lots of rasta and dreadlocked thai boys working around the beach, and a lot of dancing and smoking. The climbing is very steep and strenuous. I'm hoping to get in another good day of climbing before I leave on the 4th. And for rest days, there is snorkeling and ocean kayaking and endless hours of sitting on white beaches drinking rum out of coconuts and dipping in warm, crystal clear water. See you soon, Rob Quote
Sherri Posted December 2, 2007 Posted December 2, 2007 Thanks for the tropical stokey! Drink a coconut for me! Cheers! Quote
Dechristo Posted December 2, 2007 Posted December 2, 2007 Nice TR, considering I've read it while it's snowing and freezing-ass-cold outside... ...YA SMUG PRICK! Quote
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