Right in the middle of the biggest waterfight - Songkran

Songrkran is the name for Thailand's New Year celebration, it is also nicknamed the water festival because people ring in the new year here by taking to the streets with buckets of water and water guns. People drive around with massive barrels of water in the back of pick up trucks and throw it on people as they pass. Everyone is completely soaked with smiles...except for the odd time they get dumped on with ice water which I'm convinced is a form of torture! No one is exempt from getting wet, your old, so what? Your ready to have a baby any moment, so what? your riding a motorbike, so what? I must say though, it takes some serious talent to get a bucket of ice water thrown in your face while driving a motorbike and not crash the thing. Some of the kids have serious aim! Most of the time it was the kids that were getting people when they least expected it!
The guy who owned the bungalows I was staying at got a bunch of us staying there to pile in the back of his pick up truck and ride around town doing "drive-by's" with water, and getting completely soaked by people throwing water back at us. It was hilarious, even the local fire truck was out refilling barrels and wetting people. Maybe I should bring this tradition back home, but on the other hand, throwing water around in sub zero temperatures may not be as fun as it is in the tropics. Maybe snowball fights? There is a thought.

The Beach!

Yes indeed, while we all watched the movie "the beach" years ago and thought "where is that island, it does look like paradise!"....I can fully confirm that it is just that. Paradise. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le Island was stunning...turquoise water, sand like white dust, towering limestone mountains all around...water that was as hot as a hot spring. I know that beauty can be found in every place on earth, but sometimes you have to search for it...at Maya Bay, you just had to open your eyes.

Rockclimbing in Krabi!

I had the greatest day yesterday!! I went outdoor rock climbing for the first time in Krabi (Thailand) and it was amazing! The mountains are gorgeous and the views when you're hanging onto the rock for dear life 30 metres above were incredible. The routes we did were equivalent of 5.8 to 5.11 at home...that 5.11 though was killer, but i got to the top and it felt amazing when I did. We also hiked in a cave climbing up some bamboo ladders in some parts and holding tight to ropes where it was steep to arrive at the most gorgeous view on the other side of the mountain. Then we abseiled down (leaning back at the top of a mountain and using the rope to lower yourself even though you know your secured is kinda scary!) and continued to do a few more challenging climbs in the afternoon.

Thanks A and Ali from Thai'd Up, you 2 were the best instructors ever! Thank you!!

Full Moon Partying!

It had to be done! The world renowned famous Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan (an gorgeous island in the south of Thailand)...it was crazy, that is for sure. Thousands of people partying on the beach, lots of good music and dancing and fire shows and all. Probably one of the best parties I've ever been to.