The journey to Krabi was a bittersweet one. On the bitter side, 2 of my friends put airplane (FFK). On the sweet side, I get to explore Krabi the way I wanted, where to go, what to do, what time wake up! Seriously all people must experience traveling solo once in their life :) A bit intro on Krabi, it’s a coastal area, something like Port Dickson (but obviously way better) with its long beach, limestones afar (those standing stones in the middle of the sea), chicks and massages!
Arrived at about 2.30pm (~2hr30min flight), immediately took cab (600B bargain to 400B) to main AoNang beach in about 40min. Checked in at AoNang Paradise Resort (booked online about RM62/per night, promo price). This resort is lovely, with rooms in middle of the forest garden, hanging garden, nice mountain view there also, heaven. The resort is 400m from the beach, so it’s just a short walk only. Rest a while, then went out to find tour packages. I came across a travel agent guy, Sam, he’s very friendly so straight away I booked Phi Phi island tour (900B) and full-day kayak at AoThalene (750B). After that, walked along the beach to the end till reach wooden bridge. Suspicious of what’s after there, I took the walk and not long after, reached a beautiful beach. This beach belongs to Centara Hotel apparently, you need to register to walk on the beach. Take some snaps, relax and then walk back to main beach. Then go the other way around to Noppharathara beach. This beach not so nice, but there’s a national park at the end. So walk walk walk, very far (I think got about 3-5km), reached the national park. Nothing much, it’s just another beach with small islets near the short and millions of seashells. After walk, ate at a restaurant near here, just a quick dinner before setting back to resort for good rest. Tiring day!
Second day is the Phi Phi island tour, the agent came to fetch me and we took the speedboat at the national park I went yesterday. The journey to Phi Phi about 45min. Weather not so good, got black clouds, but ok since no rain. First stop, we arrived at Bamboo island with nice clear water, so went for the first snorkeling. After half hour, we set to the Viking Cave, which is nothing much, but the water around here is awesomely cyan and loads of colourful fishes! Never before I saw so many fishes! Then we went to a canyon (I think called Phileh Bay) which was also nice, with high-rising grassy limestone hills covering water into a small lake. Then a little distance further we came to a small Lohsama beach where I went snorkel. Here the water also very very cyan and lots lots of fishes, wah awesome! Then it’s time to go to Maya Bay, the famous place that’s shown in the movie The Beach starring Leonardo diCaprio. This place is awesome, sea protected by high limestones creating a lagoon and the water here is light blue. Just sit at white sand beach and enjoy the scenery. After this, it’s lunch time at Tonsai Bay island, where we ate traditional Thai food. After lunch, we are given free time to walk around the big island. There’s sort of Bali-like streets here, with its narrow streetways, and souvenir shops. Nothing much, so went back to the shore and proceed to the next destination which is Hin Klarng. They say this is the best snorkeling spot, and it’s in the middle of the sea, but I see so so only. Sky became dark, indicating upcoming rain. So for the last spot, the tour guide brought us to Tub island, where 3 islands were connected by narrow sandy path. Quite interesting how you feel like going through the sea to the other islands. Spots of rains came down, so we hurried back to boat to get back to jetty. The rain continued for almost the whole night, so apart from dinner which I took at Bamboo Restaurant nearby my resort, I stayed in room watching TV.
Third day is the full-day kayaking at Ao Thalene. The journey to that place also about 45min. Once reached, we given a paddle each and matched with a partner. There was a New Zealand guy also traveling alone, so I joined him. We row out towards limestone hills, and spotted monkeys occasionally. Nothing much to see, so we row and row again till reach a canyon, lovely place here! Here we stopped a while for a fruit break. After that continued to the mangrove forests. Somewhere nearby we entered the Crocodile Cave, well just a small cove in the hill. Then not far after we reached a place with monkeys. The monkeys can really swim, and swam towards our kayak looking for food. The guide gave the leftover skins from the fruits. An US couple totally scared of the sudden jump of the monkeys that they upturned their kayak and fell into the dirty river! Holy crap! But super lucky they managed to save their camera, cool! After that, we paddled out to very large lake, I loved the scenery here! But the sun is scorching and I got most sunburn here! Quickly we paddled back to the jetty while waiting others. After that, we went to a nearby Coconut Restaurant to have another Thai food, and took quick rest at nearby beach. Our next destination is crystal stream + elephant riding. We only can choose one, so I chosed stream. But what a disappointment, it’s just a normal river where you can swim in. I guess elephant riding is more fun, but at least I got to cool down myself in the water after the terrible sunburn! Nearing the end, we saw an elephant going into the river to take cool down I guess, so maybe my choice was right, the weather is pretty hot! Thereafter, back at resort around 4pm. With super tired arms from the kayaking, I went for the massage at a parlour facing the beach, called Thai Thai. 20B/hour for Thai traditional massage, so what the heck, I chose that. Tell you, this is the best massage I’ve ever experienced (only done 1 massage before this). The worker massaged you while you enjoyed the sea breeze, it was the most enjoying moment in my life! 10/10! After a super awesome massage, went to walk around, bought some of the famous pancakes (raisin and nutella), bought some souvenir and went to see sunset. The sunset was absolutely astounding, so it’s true that they said Krabi has one of the best sunset. For dinner, couldn’t find any suitable restaurant, so I just settled at a restaurant beside Bamboo Restaurant yesterday, which has same design.
For the last day, I woke up early morning, walked the beach for the last time, and waited for cab I booked last night. This cab more expensive at 700B as it will fetch me to Tiger Cave temple (Wat Tham Sua), the driver waited me for 2hour and then fetch me back to airport. From afar, I can see the height of the famous 1237 stairs leading to statues on top. So I took the challenge and walked up the stairs. I tell you, not even all those mountain trekking before prepared me for this! The steps are neverending and to add to the worse, the weather is hot! That time, I’m the only one walking up, so I can sped up. Finally after about 45min, I managed to reach the top, took some drinking water provided and greeted by a huge golden Buddha statue. It was worth the climb, the statues here are nice, plus a huge bell. And I can view the whole Krabi, which is littered with limestone hills. After taking pics and rest, it’s time for me to go down. By the time, I saw people already climbing up. Going down was far easier, and I took around half hour to reach ground. At ground, I saw a huge Kuan Yin statue, cool. Then went to see an unfinished bell-like building, which I believe will be an awesome building after it finished. Met my driver, so he fetched me to airport for my flight back.
So basically, I guess my time in Krabi is fully utilized, and the result is a super tiring self. Althought traveling alone, it was not meant a bad vacation. I was left with eye-opening view of Krabi, going adventurous activities and immerse myself in a total solo traveling experience.
