This week’s episode of Talk Travel Asia podcast is about Rock Climbing in Asia. Sometimes when we go on holiday we like to participate in an activity we enjoy doing at home. Sometimes that’s even the entire point of traveling to a certain place such as a liveaboard scuba trip in the Philippines or a skiing trip to Japan. We’ve done a few episodes on sports-travel in Asia over the years: kayaking along the west coast of Thailand, hiking and mountain biking in Hong Kong, trekking and mountain climbing in the Himalayas, and even skiing in Iran. Today we’re going to talk about rock climbing: an activity that’s quite popular here in Asia, both as something to try out when you’re on holiday as well as an activity that can be a destination in itself.

Hub Street Cocktails: Streets 21 & 308 in Phnom Penh

Before we get started, thank you to our sponsor, Hub Street Cocktails in Phnom Penh Cambodia. Aside from just being a great place to eat, drink, and meet up with friends, Hub Street Cocktails will participate in the 2018 US Foods Week here in Phnom Penh from December 1 to 9.

To celebrate US Foods Week, Hub Street has created 4 new menu items for the event, utilizing imported US ingredients. Curious as to what the new menu items are? Come on down to Hub Street to try the new dishes out, featuring a variety of ingredients from the USA, including California Raisins.

U.S. Foods Week at Hub Street Cocktails

Hub Street Cocktails is located on Street 21, near the corner of Street 308 in the heart of Tonle Bassac. 2018 US Foods Week will be celebrated at many other distinguished restaurants in Phnom Penh in addition to Hub Street, but come on down to Hub Street from December 1st to December 9th and try out their new menu items.

Khao Yoi Thailand, photo courtesy of Jojo Yee

Trevor and Scott’s rock climbing experiences:

Scott: Scott says he has never climbed: “I’ve only tried an indoor wall once and while I believed in the equipment, I didn’t feel very comfortable. My body type isn’t entirely suited either. That said during my many trips to Railay Bay in southern Thailand I always meant to learn and never did.”

Trevor: “I used to do a bit of free climbing in Joshua Tree back in college. We had no skills or gear but we climbed some pretty dangerous stuff. I suppose that’s called bouldering, because J.Tree is mostly giant boulders. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that my tennis club in Bangkok, the Soi Klang Racquet Club, built a big climbing gym and my friends Ed, Lee, and I decided to learn properly and add it to our workout regimen. I’ve always been a bit wary of heights so there were some issues there, but it was a lot of fun, challenging, and a great workout. Soon we were making regular trips to Railay Beach in Krabi, just to climb.” He then talks about a fun thing to do climbing in Krabi: Deep water soloing, when you climb up a rock face over the water and then jump into the sea.

IF YOU ENJOY LISTENING, PLEASE DONATE TO THE SHOW

You can sponsor anywhere from $1/month upwards. These funds will help us cover costs of keeping the show going. Visit PATREON TO DONATE TO THE SHOW or the link from the left-side of our website, or search Talk Travel Asia Patreon. Thanks in advance for supporting the cost and helping to keep the travel talk happening. There are several sponsorship levels: $1 – Vagabond (thanks for helping to keep it going); $2 – Day Dreamer (much love); $25The Big Kahuna (we’ll give you a shout-out and send you a postcard from Asia); $100 You Da Woman – Man!! (talk about you on the show and send you something from Asia)

To listen to Episode 91: Rock Climbing in Asia with Jojo Yee,

download on SoundCloud or iTunes Now!

Jojo in action!

Guest Intro: Our Guest today is Joan Yee, aka, Jojo. Trevor first met Jojo on a climbing trip to Railay Beach over the Thai New Year about, maybe 8 or 9 years ago. That was a lot of fun, and not just climbing, as it was Songkran holiday. Then about 3 years ago he did a story for a magazine about different activities you can do on Koh Yao in southern Thailand and he featured a rock climbing photo that Jojo shot while climbing there.

Listen to Episode 91: Rock Climbing in Asia to hear Jojo answer the following questions:

• Tell us about yourself and what brought you to Asia…
• What’s your day job?
• How did you first get into rock climbing?
• Where was the first place you climbed in Asia?
• How many different countries do you think you’ve climbed in Asia?
• What are some of your favorite places to climb in Asia?
• What makes Asia such a special place to climb?
• Where are the best places for beginners to climb in Asia?
• What’s the best approach for people new to the sport if they want to learn while in Asia?
• How about some of the most challenging?
• What’s been the general condition of equipment you’ve found here and there? I assume you bring your own gear, but what about for beginners?
• Any rivalry between local and foreign climbers when out climbing?
• How’s the local climbing community?
• Anything that might not be like it is at home when climbing over here to keep in mind?
• Any equipment that is easy to get here and things you absolutely must bring with you?
• Tell us about one of your most memorable climbs in Asia that really stands-out?

Koh Yao Noi Thailand, courtesy of Jojo Yee

The following are some of the places Jojo talked about Rock Climbing in Asia

Since the recording of this episode, Trevor discovered an organization called Climbodia, which offers rock climbing experiences in Kampot, Cambodia. He will join them for a climbing excursion at the end of December. Visit their website to learn more and check out our Facebook page at the end of the month for photos from Trevor’s climbing trip with Climbodia.

IF YOU ENJOY LISTENING, PLEASE DONATE TO THE SHOW

You can sponsor anywhere from $1/month upwards. These funds will help us cover costs of keeping the show going. Visit PATREON TO DONATE TO THE SHOW or the link from the left-side of our website, or search Talk Travel Asia Patreon. Thanks in advance for supporting the cost and helping to keep the travel talk happening.

Check out a Google Map of Rock Climbing in Asia destinations

To learn more about Scott & Trevor:

• Follow Scott on Twitter: @scottcoates73
• Trevor’s Blog
• Scott’s Blog
• Groovy Map Seoul
• National Geographic Cambodia
• National Geographic Thailand
• Follow Talk Travel Asia on Twitter
• Follow us on Facebook
• Follow us on Instagram
• Theme Music by Jamie Ruben

Talk Travel Asia is brought to you by Trevor Ranges and Scott Coates, every two weeks(ish) from wherever in the Asia they happen to be. Alternating episodes feature a guest or the two hosts, cultivating travel insight through intelligent conversation. If you enjoyed the show, please donate, even just a dollar a month: that’s only .50c per episode(ish). 

PLEASE DONATE TO THE SHOW because we would truly appreciate your support.

Liked it? Take a second to support Talk Travel Asia on Patreon!