Day 49 – 51

09.08.23 – 11.08.23

The weather has been a little changeable the last couple of days!

But I’d made a decision to go to Railay Beach and in the morning after breakfast the sky’s were looking promising 🤞

I walked down to the ticket office, bought my ticket then sat and waited for the required number of people to assemble before we could go to the boat. It seems that there has to be a minimum of 6 – 8 people for each boat. 

Whilst we waited, the weather changed and a big Squall came in. After 15min the guys loaded us into the minivan to take us to the boat pier (I use the term Pier, very loosely 😳) 

When we arrived at the ‘Pier’ it was still raining quite heavily so more waiting. 

Eventually the guys indicated that we were good to go. At which point I was a tad confused as it was still raining, it looked very overcast out at sea and the boats seemed to be quite far out in the water!! 😬 I figured they do this all the time so must know what they are doing, right? 

As I thought the boat was a fair way out, the sea was a little choppy and to get on board you climb up a not very stable set of stirs flung over the side! 

By the time I reached the boat I was completely soaked up to my waist and the boat and stairs were moving about a lot! Somehow I managed to haul myself over the side of the boat bashing my leg in the process. It was a little scary, very wet and extremely undignified. 😂 

Unbelievably within 5 minutes of being in the boat and on our way the weather completely changed to blue skies and sunshine. Amazing.

The ride takes around 10 mins and was great, I wasn’t looking forward to disembarking, but we were able to pull right up into shallow water, the stairs weren’t moving and were placed next to the roof, so we had something to hold onto. 

I disembarked quite elegantly I thought 😍😍

Railay Beach is absolutely stunning, a large sandy beach, huge cliffs, vegetation. It’s gorgeous. 

I had off the beach and decide to go for a wander. I follow signs for East Railay, and find myself on another beach, this one is quite different. It has mangroves and is more mud than sand but equally as beautiful.

It also has a large ‘Pier’ a proper ‘Pier’ which I assume is where all the supplies are bought in and people departing for other islands. 

While I’m standing looking I spot a stunning, large Kingfisher the blue flash of its wings as it dived caught my eye. It’s sitting on a tree branch looking into the lagoon for food. It’s so gorgeous. I stay and watch it for a while. 💙

I also spot a heron! 

I wander about a bit and see a sign for Diamond Cave, sounds interesting so I head that way. 

It’s a large Cave, which you can go into. I figure, why not? 

To be honest it freaked me out a little bit, not sure why. Possibly because there was no one else in there, the walkway was wobbly and quite broken and I didn’t want to use the handrails as they were covered in a mix of bird poo and guano! But I carried on, it was interesting, you could hear the bats and just about see them up on the ceiling, well, you could see a dark moving cluster! 🦇 

I saw lots of beautiful butterflies on my walk back to the beach. 

I sat at the beach and had a coke and put tiger balm on the 3 mosquito bites I’d managed to acquire. It really is a lovely place. I think Rebecca, Chris & Anita will love it. 

Taking the boat back requires more waiting, it took 30 minutes to reach 8 people! 

Getting in the boat was a breeze, I’m feeling good about getting off at the other end.  Haha, oh dear oh dear! 

So, the tide is now in so the boat can pull up the little channel near to the steps, which it does but, not close enough to the steps instead we are going to have to get off a rocking boat onto a steep concrete breakwater thing, with wonky, moving stairs!  A young guy and his girlfriend go first, she stumbles, he trips, I’m next! I say to the guy, ‘I can’t claim up that and he’s like, “Yes, Yes,” and I’m like “No, No!” At which point I figure I have to at least try! Or opt to live forever on a Longtail boat in Ao Nang? (Tempting 😳) 

Somehow I got over the side of the boat, the guy then grabs my arm and pretty much drags me across the concrete breakwater to the steps!! 😂😂😂 Seriously, it was ridiculous. Health & Safety would have a bloody field day! 

It’s very amusing in hindsight, but a tad disconcerting at the time! 

I’m now sporting a couple of nice large bruises on my leg! 

After this trauma I head back to the hotel and the safety of the pool and swim up bar! 🍹🍹😎

Today is going to be a chilled day.

I have a beautiful massage with the same therapist and she works on my shoulders again, painful but helpful I feel.

Then some reading, swimming and cocktails! 

Anita is arriving today. So I’m going to head over to the hotel later to meet her when she arrives.

For some reason today is the day I decide to have 2 lots of Happy Hour Cocktails 🍹🤣 I did get a bit distracted by a Thor Lookalike by the pool 😍

The Cocktails are yummy and before I know it it’s time to head over to meet Anita.

The hotel I’m going to is where we will all be staying from tomorrow, and it’s lovely. 

In the toilet they have folded the little hand towels to look like clothes! It’s very cute. 

I sit and have another cocktail while I wait for Anita. 🍹🥰

When she arrives I tap her on the shoulder and she is so pleased to see me and I’m so happy to see her, it’s lovely. I’m so glad I decided to come over. 

We have yet another Cocktail (😜) a quick catch up then Anita goes to get some much needed sleep and I head home for the same. 

My last night at Sea Keeper. It’s a nice hotel, a little bit too modern and built up for me but the staff are all fabulous.

Tomorrow is the day my Best Big Girl arrives!! I’m so blooming excited. 😍😍😂😂😂😂

Books Read 21

Criminal. Karen Slaughter. Good, it’s part of a series that I’ve read.

Happy Weekend people! 🍹❤️🍹❤️