Hiring a dirt bike to drive across the south of Thailand had proved to be quite the experience. Our journey home had been suspended however, as at the spur of the moment, the small speed boat on the beach of Ao Nang, Krabi, held an invisible STOP HERE NOW sign above it. With no rush to get home, my boyfriend, previously referred to as Balloo, casually parked up and bought us two tickets to Railey beach.
Upon hearing about some good rock climbing on Railey beach, we decided now was as good a time than ever to check it out. Considering my only experience with rock climbing consisted of a 6 ft climbing wall at the age of about seven, I was a little surprised when we arrived at a tiny booth on the beach, covered in odd looking shoes. Trying not to focus on the dated look of the hanging equipment surrounding me, I turned to face our instructor for the afternoon. I had previously had many debates with Balloo as he had always tried to convince me that rock climbers had the most impressive bodies but I had never seen any evidence of this, until now.
Standing at eye level, which is not unusual in Thailand, was a lady with one of the most lean and toned physiques I had ever come across. Later learning she was a mere 37 kilograms, the shear strength and power held in her tiny frame was one to intimidate the most aggressive of cage fighters and I was immediately sold to this form of exercise. Making the most of the scenery, we chose an outdoor wall with a sea view, which sounded pleasant enough, and within moments my backside was strapped up, my hands were chalked and I was being told to push from the legs.
Trying not to be distracted by the monkeys accompanying me, I made my climb up the wall searching for holes to wedge my fingers in to and tiny ledges I could rest my weight on. The first two baby walls were completed without too much of a struggle and all in all I was happy with my progress with those toned triceps not too far from reach. Balloo had an impressive background in rock climbing so I paid no attention to him flying up the walls and plodded along in my own time trying hard to appreciate the stunning view of the sea, although I was more inclined to look up at the wall rather than the distance below. Still in shock at the 37 kg human rock belaying this grown man, I stepped up to a more advanced climb with the instructor repeatedly telling me there was no such word as can't. Distinctively brushing off her patronising motivational speech I began to climb.
Although I was continuously warned to push from the weight in my legs, the temptation to pull through my arms must have won on the first two climbs as they were shaking with fatigue now. This state of tiredness in less than an hour of climbing frightened me as I was stuck two thirds of the way up an advanced wall and I began to panic. Now understanding her persistence in abusing the word can't, I couldn't think of any other word to refer to and was getting aggravated at her choice to ignore it. Balloo sympathised with his distressed girlfriend in fear of her own patheticness and calmly told me to let our instructor take my weight and abseil down. As I begun doing this my heart sank as I had realised the defeat of my own mistakes.
Encouraging words directed at how great I had done made me more agitated at my failure to carry on until I understood that I had learnt from my mistakes quickly and before adapting an unhealthy habit. Along with the gorgeous scenery, a sense of adventure and inspiring physiques this new challenge was an exciting way to exercise, explore and could open up a lot of future opportunities with hiking and activities involving natural strength. This cardiovascular workout also increases your heart rate, burns fat and strengthens muscle. The extended motions stretch all of the limbs creating a lean look which works incredibly well for the more petite people! Regardless of your fitness level, unless you're James Franco, this is hardcore. Easily the most challenging workout I have come across to date and from this day on I am determined to be one with that wall!
As cliche as it sounds there should be no word as can't, it's an excuse for don't want to and is used far too much when it comes to experimenting with exercise!
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Sunday 12 February 2012
Paddle power
Growing up in the city, the word exercise has immediate assumptions of health clubs, running and for younger generations perhaps a local sports club. Those adventurous enough may have found a dance class or indulged in an attempt of boxercise but what with dense surroundings, a lack of free time and uncooperative weather, diversity isn't a practical option.
Before introduction, I'd already seen my boyfriends muay thai videos but when our first dates consisted of fire spinning on the beach, a trampoline in the park and a pay as you go phone, this side of the millennium, I knew he was different. With his love of the outdoors I was soon subjected to cutting firewood, harness - free rock climbing and with my first outdoor bike ride covering 52 kilometers, you can imagine these were never half - hearted excursions. So when visiting him on the island, the suggestion of an hour in the kayak seemed like one of the lighter adventures.
In full view from Thongsala pier, Koh Phangan, a small deserted island sits with an open invitation. With nothing but sand and jungle, the plan was to kayak there, taking all of five minutes, have a wander and kayak back. However, in the two minute drive to the bay, this plan had changed and I found myself fully kitted with oars and a life jacket independently battling the supposedly sedate sea whilst he prepared his new mask and four foot fins for a go at free diving instead.
Under strict instructions to concentrate and not fixate on the serenity and drift away, as experienced in a previous surfing incident, I kept paddling and remained focused on my boundaries set by the paranoid partner. Being in shallower waters I expected an easy task however, the unsuspected mounts of seaweed and a deceiving current made it a far more challenging work out. Feeling the power through my shoulders, upper back, biceps and triceps, the reliability on keeping a strong core to keep me stable also required a surprising amount of effort from my legs as well. Being alone in the kayak, there was no possibility of whining to escape duty so I just soldiered through developing my stamina too.
As uncomfortable as this may sound, the strenuous exercise was completely disguised as I remained transfixed on the sea life, sunlight and the freedom of the ocean, not to mention catching a enviable tan! I hadn't realised the extent of the physical exertion until I returned to shore and was welcomed by the post work out ache which I am sadistically a fan of.
It may also be worth mentioning in another discovery that swimming with a life jacket is far harder than anticipated. Although I remained afloat, my range of movement was reduced to bobbing hysterically in hope of help from the current to take me closer to the kayak, which I am positive also helped to burn a few extra calories!
Other than surrounding yourself with active people, or finding a human Balloo as your boyfriend, this unexpected form of exercise helped me to realise that work outs do not always have to be regimented into specific routines for your day. As a traveller it is often easy to procrastinate, become lazy and take for granted the opportunities around you. Simple outings such as this help you maintain an active lifestyle, are kind to your savings and create some unforgettable new memories along the way.
Before introduction, I'd already seen my boyfriends muay thai videos but when our first dates consisted of fire spinning on the beach, a trampoline in the park and a pay as you go phone, this side of the millennium, I knew he was different. With his love of the outdoors I was soon subjected to cutting firewood, harness - free rock climbing and with my first outdoor bike ride covering 52 kilometers, you can imagine these were never half - hearted excursions. So when visiting him on the island, the suggestion of an hour in the kayak seemed like one of the lighter adventures.
In full view from Thongsala pier, Koh Phangan, a small deserted island sits with an open invitation. With nothing but sand and jungle, the plan was to kayak there, taking all of five minutes, have a wander and kayak back. However, in the two minute drive to the bay, this plan had changed and I found myself fully kitted with oars and a life jacket independently battling the supposedly sedate sea whilst he prepared his new mask and four foot fins for a go at free diving instead.
Under strict instructions to concentrate and not fixate on the serenity and drift away, as experienced in a previous surfing incident, I kept paddling and remained focused on my boundaries set by the paranoid partner. Being in shallower waters I expected an easy task however, the unsuspected mounts of seaweed and a deceiving current made it a far more challenging work out. Feeling the power through my shoulders, upper back, biceps and triceps, the reliability on keeping a strong core to keep me stable also required a surprising amount of effort from my legs as well. Being alone in the kayak, there was no possibility of whining to escape duty so I just soldiered through developing my stamina too.
As uncomfortable as this may sound, the strenuous exercise was completely disguised as I remained transfixed on the sea life, sunlight and the freedom of the ocean, not to mention catching a enviable tan! I hadn't realised the extent of the physical exertion until I returned to shore and was welcomed by the post work out ache which I am sadistically a fan of.
It may also be worth mentioning in another discovery that swimming with a life jacket is far harder than anticipated. Although I remained afloat, my range of movement was reduced to bobbing hysterically in hope of help from the current to take me closer to the kayak, which I am positive also helped to burn a few extra calories!
Other than surrounding yourself with active people, or finding a human Balloo as your boyfriend, this unexpected form of exercise helped me to realise that work outs do not always have to be regimented into specific routines for your day. As a traveller it is often easy to procrastinate, become lazy and take for granted the opportunities around you. Simple outings such as this help you maintain an active lifestyle, are kind to your savings and create some unforgettable new memories along the way.
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