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Chris Sinclair
Wellington, New Zealand
chris.sinclair@cdp.co.nz

�����ԹϺ��� Adviser: You’re probably thinking of the limestone cliffs at Phra Nang on Thailand’s Andaman Sea, home to some of the best climbing in Asia–including the world-class Thai Wand, the toughest on the continent. Getting there is half the fun. You’ll need to hitch a 45-minute ride on a longtail boat from the town of Krabi out to the end
of the roadless peninsula. Once there, reserve a room at the Sand Sea Bungalows (011-66-75-61-19-44) for $15-$50 per night or shack up with the rest of the climbing crowd at the treehouse-like Ya-Ya Bungalows (011-66-75-14-76-02-70; $2-$20 per night).

Get the logistical stuff out of the way and you’ll be ready to climb. The routes range from 5.6 to 5.13 in difficulty, so as an intermediate-level climber you’ll have plenty to choose from. For a full-day refresher course, talk to Dean at Phra Nang Rock Climbers (fax, 011-66-75-61-29-14); they’ll outfit you in rental equipment and give you a heads-up on the don’t-miss
routes in the area, all for the low cost of $28 per person. Best of all, when you’re tired of bruising your knuckles and shredding your fingertips, there’s great cliff-jumping, swimming, bouldering, and hiking; try the hour-long jungle hike up and over the lip of a crater to an inland lagoon that fills and empties with the tide. Another option: Baby Shark Divers (fax,
011-66-75-61-29-14) will take you out into the bay for guided snorkeling and scuba excursions. Bear in mind that December through February is high season, so expect to be stuck with the upper price range for motel rooms and other services. For more information on climbing in Phra Nang, check out
in �����ԹϺ���‘s 1996-1997 Winter Travel Guide.