Railay is a peninsula between Krabi and Ao Nang, famous for amazing beaching surrounded by limestone cliffs, and only accessible by long-tail boats. We spent 3nights/4days in Rai Leh and lovely relaxing after travelling around a lot. We stayed at the Rai Leh Princess Resort in between the east and west beach. Staying in a lovely hotel, with swimming pool, freshly cooked breakfasts and great service feels amazing after mostly hosteling. Loving Thailand as everything is cheaper. I don't even have to do my own clothes washing here, just pay £1 per kilo and a day later you get your clothes back, excellent!

Rai Leh feels more like an island. The east beach is a 2minute walk away and has a strip of great bars/restuarants. One evening we walked down there and came across a fire juggling show, we watched as each performer took turns to impress the crowd. The bars down this strip
also have an interesting aroma at night time.
 
The west beach, a 5minute walk, is a small piece of paradise, soft white sand, clear water and enclosed by limestone cliffs. Its like the scene from the beach (May Bay on Phi Phi Leh) but longer and not packed with tourists. We enjoyed a couple of days chilling out on the beach and having a £2 30minute back/neck massage whilst looking out to sea. Just before sunset everyone goes to the west beach and watches the beautiful sunset over the ocean. My friend Marcus didn't have the best experience though, getting stung by a jelly fish after 2minutes of entering the sea with me.

One morning Marcus and I went for a climb up one of the limestone pillars to a great view point. We had to climb up 150m of very steep clay cliffs using ropes and footholds, but at the top had a fantastic view over the east and west beach.

Whilst on Rai Leh we went on a speed boat tour to Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Leh. The boat took us round to some beautiful island beaches, including Maya Bay from 'The Beach'. Amazing to finally see this beach, as the film has been a personal favourite for many years, just
a slight shame the beach was packed with other tourists. We also got the chance to snorkel from the back of the boat, seeing some great fish, however the coral minimal.

During our stay we made friends with Georgia, an Alaskan who opened up a relaxed restaurant called Utopia 1year ago. The restaurant serves Indian food cooked by a Burmese chef. The curry and atmosphere here was great here, with films showing on a projector in one part of the
restaurant. We spent some time chilling out with Georgia, learning about her business and Rai Leh.