Missing Krabi – Thailand

On my second visit to Thailand, from Bangkok we headed to the Southern part, the Krabi Province. If you have read the book and watched the movie of the same title “The Beach”, then you would probably be wondering which island/s or where it was filmed. Well, that would be in Thailand in Krabi province.

Aonang Town

From Bangkok to Krabi we took a plane; low cost to five star airlines are available all throughout the week with more than 20 flights a day. The ticket will cost from 80$-275$ return. Airlines companies are Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia, Thai Smile, Thai Lion, Thai Airways and Nook Air. Some airlines departs on Don Muang Airport and others in Suvarnabhumi Airport. Going to the airport , you can take a bus for 30-60minutes ride and will just cost you 0.50$-1.50$, for taxi its 6$-10$. Be sure to be early as Bangkok is very traffic. Coming back from Krabi to Bangkok we decided to take the 12hrs. bus that leaves at night time. You can buy the ticket in the morning and it cost 21-25$. Before reaching Bangkok, there will be stops along the way for some snacks, coffee and to use public toilet. You’ll arrive 5-6am in Bangkok.

At the airport

Krabi

Krabi is famous for its natural beauty and unique limestone peaks and beaches. This small town is packed of guest houses, restaurants, hotels, resorts and travel agencies. People are mostly Buddhist, Chinese and Muslims.

The Cliff Ao Nang Krabi

We made Ao Nang Town our base for exploring nearby islands. As much as we wanted to stay in a hostel, but seeing the The Cliff Aonang Resort, we fell in love with the place and decided to take a break  from hostels and stay in this serene, vintage style resort overlooking the the cliff. There is a free drinks on arrival.

We arrange our transportation from the hotel which you can see the prices on their website. This resort is considered to be one of  50 beautiful resorts in Thailand. We stayed in Chaiya Bungalow. For breakfast, you can arrange everyday if you change from Asian to international menu. I will never forget their freshly squeeze pineapple juice and since I love rice, I ordered everyday shrimp fried rice. From the interior of the resort, the design of the bungalows which is brick tiles and sliding door with outdoor bathroom, the food, the service of the staff very accommodating, everything, we highly recommend this resort.

The Cliff Ao Nang Krabi

It was month of May when we visited Krabi, some days are sunny but not for long. The sun stays half day and the rest of the afternoon is gloomy and drizzling. There were times that it was raining whole day, we did not go around, we just to stayed in the resort, read some books, magazines and check online.

Speedboats

Other boats around

On the following day, we booked a tour around islands with  Ao Nang Orchid Resort Tour with tie-up to Barracuda Tours. The tour includes, hotel transfers, lunch, snorkeling gadgets and visiting the most famous beach Phi Phi Islands, Phi Phi Don, Maya bay and Bamboo Island and other islands which u can just see from the boat like Chicken Island and James Bond island. Cost ranges from 43-47$.

 

Bamboo island

 

 

Bamboo island

On the day of the trip it was sunny in the morning, we were boarded on speedboat with 25-50 seats. First stop, the Bamboo Island. It’s a small white sand beach island, nothing was there but a hill saying to climb the highest part of the island if Tsunami occurs. As always view is captivating:

Bamboo island

Bamboo island

KRABI-THAILAND

Bamboo island

Bamboo island

After leaving our next stop should be the Viking Cave but when we were in the middle of the ocean, it it began to rain, we were caught on extreme waves, and the wind is so strong. We were not able to stop in Viking cave where they get all the nest’s produce by a bird called Swiftlet which people serve into bird’s nest soup.

After  the Viking Cave, we went to Lohsamah Bay, the boat will stop for a while and you will jut see the coral reefs or go on snorkeling for few minutes, but because of the waves and the rain, we did not stop here. If its sunny and summer time, for sure this place will reflect the color of the sky into a bluish-green bay. I wasn’t able to get pictures due to the rain.

It’s almost noon when we reached Koh Phi Phi Don. We were served with a lunch buffet. The restaurant was like a hall with tables and chairs for all tourists from different tour companies. For lunch we had, chicken barbecue, salads, curry, beef stew, rice and Tom Yum soup. The rain has stopped but the darkening sky indicates an impending rain.

Phi Phi Don

Phi Phi Don

Phi Phi Don

Lunch at Phi Phi Don

tom yum

Phi Phi Don

Phi Phi Don is also a good location for visiting Phi Phi islands. It is accessible by ferry from Phuket and Krabi. There are many choices of guesthouses, hotels and cafes around. After our lunch, we went to the lagoon,

Pileh Bay – Lagoon

Pileh Bay: a beautiful lagoon where I took a dip in the lagoon. We stopped here for 15 minutes and decided to leave because its starting to rain again. The rest of the trip, the tour guide decided not to stop anymore and cancel some of the island tours  due to the heavy rain and it might be dangerous for us, out there in an open sea. Going back to Krabi is more difficult and some passengers were already vomiting due to the waves and it was a very rough ride.

 

We were unable to visit the  Maya Bay, where “The Beach” movie was filmed and the Monkey beach. We reached Krabi  past 5am and it was already dark.

The next day we spent around Krabi.

Ao Nang Beach – Krabi

Aside from the Phi phi Island tour, you can visit the natural park, beaches around like Ao Nang beach, Nopparat thara, Railey beach, caves or you can rent a scooter which we did for 4-6$ for 1day and just drive around, stop to grab some milkshakes for 2$, or have lunch and try grilled catfish for 4-5$.Sometimes, in order to enjoy the place, you need to leave your camera for awhile.

Everyday, there is something new you can do in Krabi. Be sure to check the weather and avoid the rainy season. 🙂 enjoy your travels!.