Happy New Year!

This year we are spending New Years on Railay beach in Krabi province. Andy was here rock climbing 20 years ago, and like much of the world, it has changed a ton! I was expecting to be surrounded by climbers and their jargon, and they are here by the bushel, but so is everyone else! At mid afternoon the day we arrived every square inch of the small-ish east Railay beach was covered with sun bathing bodies from all over the world. I really wasn’t expecting that. I guess when the guide books list something as the top 3 activity to do on holiday in Thailand people do it. There are thankfully serious climbers here. Andy’s first day out he met two right off the bat. But most of the folks here have never climbed before. They maybe spend 3 days here hiring one of the local guides to take them out for one day. I’m glad I booked our accommodation back in October, and I understand now why our options were so scant! It’s funny, we’re about 10 days into the trip and I don’t really feel like I’ve experienced Thailand yet. Other than the food, there isn’t that much distinctively Thai on the island, or here in Krabi. It’s the same recognizably tourist-geared shops and activities that you find all over the world. With the functional yet uninspiring concrete and steel architecture that has become ubiquitous on planet earth. While I’m practicing and learning a little more Thai every day, and sticking to Thai food exclusively, I find myself hankering for the North of the country, where I hope we’ll feel a little more immersed in their culture. And I’m very excited to meet the Thai family next week! Location to be determined.