If you think what I have done so far was dangerous, you haven't seen anything yet. This was probably the most dangerous day of my trip so far.
I started the day with a fairly safe ride to Ao Nang, strolled along the Ao Nang beach through the monkey trail to Phai Plong bay. The reason the trail is called monkey trail is because you have to share the trail with monkeys. The monkeys there ain't afraid of humans. They will walk pass you on that narrow trail if they have to and occasionally greet you.
After the stroll, I took the long-tailed boat to Railay beach. Only then, I learnt that long-tailed boat gets its name from the long propellor which seems like a tail behind the boat.
On the Walking Street on Railay, I finally get to eat the real Thai pancake I was recommended. I ended up eating that for both brunch and lunch.
On the other side of Railay, I found some people doing rock climbing which I was pretty interested in but decided I didn't have enough time for it.
I decided to take a hike on the trails to the viewpoint and lagoon instead. The start of the trails was pretty steep but still manageable as there were reachable steps with occasional need for hands. After awhile, it got steeper and hands were needed for most parts.
After some climb, there came a T-junction where left turn for the viewpoint and right turn for the lagoon. Fellow hikers along the way recommended I go viewpoint 1st as it is a easier hike so I did. I was able to see most of Railay from the viewpoint.
At the viewpoint, besides the trail I came from, there was another trail which leads to somewhere else. After advising some hikers that the lagoon is the same way we came from, I stupidly decided to go against my own advise and went on the other trail out of the viewpoint. After a few minutes on that trail, it became increasing weirdly challenging. I had to climb on all fours on the limestones. It wasn't really difficult to climb, just dangerous. At some points, slipping could mean dropping off the cliff onto the beach. What made it worse was that I was wearing slippers and have no more water.
It got even more dangerous when the trail got muddier and less limestones that I could grip on. The further I went, the more reluctant I was to turn back and the more determined I was to continue. However, at one point where I couldn't go any further because there wasn't anything to step or grip on and sliding off the mud could mean a long fall. At that time, it was already 40 mins since I left the viewpoint. I backtracked for awhile and then, went on another trail branching off. After 15 mins of climbing and trekking, I managed to reach back to the viewpoint. Such a relief, I though I was going to spend hours getting lost.
After returning back to the 1st T-junction, I decided I had spare time before I needed to return back to Krabi so I went on the trail towards the lagoon. I got really dirty and muddy at this point so I wasn't taking much photos. The trail towards the lagoon was on another level of difficulty and just as dangerous. It started off with slippery muddy slopes with only ropes and tree roots as support and after that, a muddy trail which I could only overcome barefooted.
Next, were 3 4-5metres vertical drops with a rope each and some places to grip or place your foot along the way. A loose grip is a fall onto the sharp limestones on the bottom of each vertical drops. Reluctantly yet determined to overcome my fear of heights. I, somehow, managed to use both the ropes and the uneven surface on the wall to aid my climb down.
The lagoon was indeed an amazing place. It is surrounded by high limestone walls and vegetation which explains the difficult climb to reach the place.
The climb back up was much faster and easier. A little rushing for the last ferry from Railay back to Ao Nang, I quickily made my way back. I only recommend this trail to the lagoon for those who can really hold their weight with their arms and grips. Definitely not a trail for children or elderly which the locals failed to display at the start of the trail.
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