1237 steps to the top

Of course the day started with breakfast. A healthy one for the most part but we were also trying to eat to have enough fuel to climb 1237 steps. The group met on the beach at 8:30am for a short boat ride to the mainland. Next we loaded into buses and headed to Krabi. We stopped at a market similar to a swap meet and got snacks for ourselves and fruit to feed the monkeys at Tiger Cave Temple. Back on the buses to Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple).
And then the climbing began...step by step up 1237 steps. Thanks to Stephan (my trainer) & the girls at the gym for all the times we ran the stairs. It was a super hot, humid, bright & sunny day which made the climb harder (having a cold & not being able to breathe through my nose didn't help) but I did it. Conquering something that seems beyond your reach feels really good. Once I reached the top I took a minute to be proud of myself for making it to the top and a few more minutes to take in the sights of the 360 degree view. A little time to cool down and catch my breath and then back down, because there was more to see and more adventures to be had.
We feed the monkeys the fruit we bought at the market. They are tame as in they will take the fruit right from your hand but they are aggressive because they will take the fruit from your hand whether you want them to have it or not. They were fun to watch. Some like pineapple and others don't. One threw a piece of pineapple back at the lady trying to feed it and another swooped in and snatched it up.
Next we made an offering and received a blessing from a Buddhist nun. (Read Bill's email about Tiger Cave Temple for more on the Thai culture of making offerings and "making merit"). As part of the blessing from the nun she tied a woven string bracelet on our wrist. You better believe you'll see me wearing it when I get home. Sort of a badge of honor for making it to the top.
We loaded back into the vans and went to a food court for lunch, similar to what you'd see in a mall food court at home.
Back in the vans to Ao Nang, a beach town for shopping and walking around. Sarah (one of the girls I met on the trip) and I packed all sporty clothes and we wanted something cute to wear for "Thanksgiving Dinner" so we shopped and I bought a cute skirt. When our legs were tired we headed back by catching a boat (like a water taxi) back to our hotel.
We got cleaned up for dinner and made it to the restaurant just before the torrential downpour started. We enjoyed dinner to the sights & sounds of the storm. Lightening flashing blue in the sky & lighting up the beach. Dinner included a show with classical Thai dances which was fun to watch. The food was Thai and delicious as always, so no traditional turkey dinner for us. We did go around the table and share what we are thankful for. I am thankful for my family & friends at home, the new friends that have been so welcoming to me on this trip, and the opportunity I've had to experience so many new things on this adventure.
Happy Thanksgiving and love to all!

P.S. Theresa & Jack - I tried durian today. It didn't smell as bad as I thought it would but it didn't taste good either.