Chado Cliffs, Snorkelling and Summoning the Lightening

Nov 30, 2022 - Wednesday

Today was the day to finally climb the cliff on Koh Adang. After a tasty curry and noodle breakfast and a couple cappuccinos, we set off. Graham deciding to go no shirt to help keep him cool. It was a humid hike after all the rain from the night before but the skies were clear now and the temperature rising. We followed the path again to the park, nice and easy that part of the trail but instead of heading to the beach we started the climb to Chado Cliff. First it was in the jungle, nice and shady though still hot. Soon enough we were at the first part of the bluff and the heat rose in intensity immediately once you crossed the threshold from jungle to rock. Progress slowed a bit at this point, not wanting to over do it. We crossed the open bluffs as fast as possible and took breaks in the jungle, hoping for a cool breeze to help evaporate the sweat. We passed viewpoints 1 and 2 with a quick stop and photo but kept going up to viewpoint 3 where we knew the view was the best. Near the top, you were on a big spine. The ocean down on one side and the jungle and a valley with the next big mountain to the other side. The top view point is about one third of the way up to the very top of the island, but since its on its own little spine, it would be a long walk down and back up to reach the summit. 

The view was beautiful, you could see down to the park right below and all the shallow reef we snorkelled in the few days before. Koh Lipe was in the background, looking little and quaint from our cliff top view. We could see our dive spots from the day before and just about where the resort was tucked into the jungle below. It was a hot and sweaty climb but worth view, especially after all our eating lately it was nice to get a little bit of exercise. We enjoyed the view for a bit and were lucky to have it all to our self. The way down was much easier then the way up, at least the heart rate wasn't as high but we took it nice and slow to make sure we didn't stumble on the loose dirt and uneven rocks.

We were back in good time and went straight for the pool for a cool down. Though our pool isn't very refreshing here, they really could use some cool water to make it nicer. The showers were at least a few degrees less and they helped drop our core temperatures down even further. What really worked was the nice cold room with the A/C blasting. Graham spend some time in the room, perhaps a nap while I sat on the deck in the shade overlooking the ocean and read my book. 

We decided to go for another snorkel, this time the other direction and with two kayaks. It was a much easier journey. The ocean and wind was calmer and the kayaks work much better solo then they do with two people. We went to a little beach and tried a snorkel but the water was pretty murky so we kayaked a bit further down to were a long tail was floating with two snorkelers. It was a great spot, lots of reef to play in and clear water. We had a big long snorkel here, the whole reef wasn't very deep so it was easy to play in and dive down to. The kayak home was easy too, we stayed close to shore and played in the big boulders that line the shore. I dipsy doodled in and out of them, the crabs hanging out on them scattering when we came around the corners suddenly. We got back just in time for sunset. We had a beer and G&T on the deck and watch the sun dip and the clouds roll in, this time the rain stayed off for awhile and we were treated to a far off lightening show. We played with the go pro, trying to capture a lightening strike and got a good couple with the sky alight.

Dinner and to bed, tomorrow is a big day of moving back to the mainland.