Southern Thailand

I headed south from Bangkok on a $40 flight to Krabi and then took a long tail boat out to a place called Railay Beach. This is quite possibly the most beautiful beach on all of Thailand. I know it is still early in my travels, but Tyson said it was the most beautiful, and once I arrived I couldn't agree more.


Surrounded by large lime stones cliffs that jet up from the land like large thumbs, Railay beach is famous for rock climbers, which is what I came here intending to do. It is like a climbers paradise here, or what I thought of as a Disneyland for climbers, but I was to short to ride all of the rides. But they luckily do have climbing for all levels, so I was able to get up on the rocks and put my arms to some long overdue exercise. I was so caught up in the climbing that all I want to do is come home and train so that I can come back (maybe with a friend next time) and climb all over the place!




The most beautiful part of the beach is that after climbing, you have a gorgeous place to lay down in the sand, swim in the gorgeous turquoise waters, and relax hard worked muscles while enjoying the beautiful scenery, and maybe a few monkeys.




From Krabi I took a ferry boat over to the island of Ko Phi Phi, home of the famous beach from the movie "The Beach". I had one day of fabulous weather and took advantage of going diving. Being the rainy season, the next two days on this island completely poured ALL day. I was never able to make it over to the actual "Beach". But alas, it is the rainy season here.




They say when it is raining on one side of the coast in Thailand, head to the other and you'll find sunshine. So next I am headed to the west coast to seek out yet more sunshine and more beaches. This is the life : )

MANY BULAS!

cheers in Fiji

Everyone who has been to Fiji will tell you that to really experience Fiji you need to get off of the main island of Viti Levu and go to the outer islands. Now that I've been there, I agree completely. There are so many little islands to choose from, so after a few hours and days of conbut I decided to head to Taveuni, the garden Island of Fiji. Taveuni is known for its beauty and excellent scuba diving. The island lies just north and east of Viti Levu, about 1 hour in a tiny plane that seats 15. After I landed I walked about 15 minutes down the road to a little place called Beverly's Campground. A small campground right on the beach where they set you up with a tent, throw a matress, pillow and sheets inside, all fro $15 Fijian, which is a little over $10 a night US. I felt like I'd found a little slice of heaven and watched the sunset from my front yard.






Fiji has over 300 islands in its archipelago, each fringed with coral reefs and lapped by warm azure waters - the diving and snorkelling are superb. Amid its wealth of natural beauty, Fiji's true magic lies in its people and the fascinating blend of their diverse cultures.

Fiji is an interesting blend of Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese and European influences. For nearly 50 years, until the military coup of 1987 and the Indian emigration that followed it, the indigenous people of Fiji represented an ethnic minority in their own land.

A military coup took place in Fiji on Dec 5, 2006 and the army is now in control of the country. The situation is calm and generally safe but it could deteriorate. I talked to locals who expressed their frustration with the political climate, but as a traveler I felt extremly safe. Most Fijians told me they love tourists in their country because they are economically dependent upon tourism.


From the island of Taveuni I went Scuba Diving along the The Rainbow Reef in the Somosomo Straights. This has to be the most beautiful dive I have ever done. The coral life in Fiji is amazing with beautiful colors and a wide variety of coral types. I will definitely come back to Fiji again just to dive.

Fiji is green and lush everywhere you look. All of the islands are covered in coconut palms, mango trees, breadfruit trees and there are beautiful beaches everywhere. The islands are surrounded by the warmest turquoise waters.






From Taveuni I took a three hour boat ride out to an even smaller island called Nanuku. I thought I had found heaven when I arrived on Taveuni until I reached Nanuku. Nanuku is a small island surrounded by the whitest sand beaches all the way around the perimiter. The center of the island is covered in lush green trees which provide a nice respite from the hot, hot sun. The waters surrounding the island are a plethora of blues, greens and turquoises. There are two houses on the island, one for the care taker, a guy named Dom from Colorado, and one for guests. I was only on the island for a short while, but it has earned a place in my heart as one of the most beautiful places I've been to.







I love Fiji!