A Bowl of Stupid

"Thai Massage or Ancient Massage is an extraordinary method of aligning the energies of the body, and originates from the time of the Buddha."
–The Ancient Massage Foundation

Extraordinary? Aligning energies? Bullshit — I feel like I got beat up. And don't get any funny ideas, I got my kicks above the waistline, sunshine.

I just got back from Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand again. I was there with about 8 other people (all couples). And while I had an absolutely great time, if you're single like myself, I would suggest not going there (or perhaps, anywhere) with a group of COUPLES. Fuck, at one point, I felt like Anthony Micheal Hall in Sixteen Candles ("Jake!! — Jake!!").

Not only is it hard to start a conversation when everyone in your group is making out, it kinda slows yer roll in terms of meeting other people (if ya' catch my drift).

Regardless, I still had a great time.

The first day, we all took a day trip via boat out to Maya Bay (pictured above), which is where they filmed the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, The Beach. Maya Bay is an amazing place — truly. Granted, I spent much of my time there pretty stoned and sleeping in the shade on the boat anchored in the bay, but still, an amazing place nonetheless.

And while I did bring my camera with me to Railay, Krabi this time, I also forget to take a whole hell of a lot of pictures while I was there (see "stoned," supra). Moreover, I've never really been a "photo" type of guy to begin with, tending to prefer experiencing things firsthand with just a few scattered photos here and there as reminders of the experience (in this regard, I'll never understand my sister's family, who will photo and videotape everything they do — even them watching the videos from earlier in the day).

(a picture of Railay, Krabi approaching via longtail taxi boat)

As mentioned, the first full day there, we took the day trip to Maya Bay — where we went snorkeling in waters, quite literally, teeming with tropical fish — with scores of them, blue, yellow, red, orange, etc. — crowding in around you. Really, I've gone diving and snorkeling elsewhere, but I haven't the words for the experience at this place.

(Princess Lagoon, Railay, Krabi, Thailand)

The second full day there was pretty much a relaxation day — we spent most of our time on Phra Nang Cave Beach. I climbed a couple times up and over to "The Point" — the top of one of those limestone pillars where one can see all of the Railay peninsula — as well as the Princess Lagoon hidden in the middle of that hollow pillar (pictured above).

I forgot to take pictures of the views, the huge hardwood trees, wrist-thick kudzu vines, and squawking monkeys I witnessed during my ascent up to the Point and descent of the inside down into the lagoon. However, I think it was for the best because, as the place is simply astounding, I prefer to keep locked in my memory (or what's left of it), since no pictures or videos could EVER do it justice.

(Phra Nang Cave Beach, facing the cave, which houses a Buddhist temple)

The remainder of the day was spent on the above beach — swimming, reading, eating, exploring, etc. It was nice.

My last full day I spent mainly by myself, as mostly everyone else had left already (all but my buddy's best friend and his wife — who, like my buddy, are also just really great people, also Venezuelan, and also relocated to Miami [God help them]).

(a picture of the rock formations on Railay East where I went climbing — they're only ranked about 5-7 in difficulty. So while they were high — up to about 80 meters — they a little challenging but not too hard, which made for a really fun day.)

I figured I'd give those guys a day to themselves, so I hired some equipment and a guide and I went rock climbing for a few hours yesterday morning on the rocks pictured above (it was actually a whole lot of fun and I'm considering buying a pair of climbing shoes, a harness, and other requisite equipment as I may start doing it more often again, shifting a bit from surfing during the off-season).

(a pic of myself in front of the above rocks, on Railay East - just in case some jealous fucker in the California 47th needs additional photoshopping fodder)

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