Railay Beach West

After a day of rest, we decided we had had enough of the long-tail boat excursions to the islands and their sun and fun but that we would visit just one more beach, Railay Beach, which is ten minutes east of Ao Nang, accessible only by boat. There are some big karsts in the way. It's in part a resort destination and also jumping off point (so to speak) for rock climbing in the area.

Another day, another long-tail boat ride, this one very short; two other couples,
one rock climbers from Colorado, the other tourists from China who had to carry
their suitcases on their shoulders in order to get to the boat, which was anchored
in knee-deep water off the beach

Islands off Ao Nang; as close as we'd get, we thought

Ao Nang development

At an intermediate beach, dropping off the rock climbers

Landing at Railay Beach West

The plan was to have a look at Railay Beach West and then take the trail, to the
left of these karsts, over to Railay Beach East for a look and then return; that was
the plan...

Helpful map of the Railay Beaches

Main Street, Railay West

Checking out the climbing shop; I did some climbing in the 70s and 80s (walk-ups
since then), but never would have considered climbing on limestone...the metamorphic
stuff is a good bit more reliable...

Last shot of Railay Beach; when I returned from my exploration of Main Street,
Vicki announced she had struck a deal for a boat ride out to the islands off Ao
Nang; no landings, just cruising around the karsts, just us and the long-tail boat
guy; it was what we had wanted to do anyway, no lying on beaches, and I
readily agreed; as I have often observed, we only make plans so we can change
them...