Other than my visit to Singapore in year 2012, I have never been to any other parts of South East Asia. This trip wasn't even in my annual plan at first but when I heard about the possibility of diving, I bought my flight ticket almost instantly. So the planning to have my very step on Thailand begins.
My trip to Krabi was on the verge of new year, so return flight ticket cost me MYR300 from KLIA2. To me it is pretty reasonable (you can get cheaper during promotion and to travel during non-peak season). National language in Thailand is Thai which but majority can understand minor English in the town of Krabi. Currency in used is Baht (100 baht for MYR14 during my travel). No visa is required for Malaysian for a visit that last less than 30 days. I have to say weather at this part of Thailand is quite hot during this time of year. So don't forget your shades and perhaps, sunblock (or just stay out of sun in that matter).
1 hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, my trip spanned for 5 days and 5 nights. staying at 3 different places. The trip kicked off in Ao Nang before moving to Phi Phi Island for new year countdown and finally concluded the journey in the heart of Krabi Town. Since this place is a bit distance from major town, do expect the public transportation to be limited to bus, taxi and oh, their "tuk tuk", human carrier run by motorcycle and sometimes, mini truck.
Travel agents are plenty in Ao Nang and Phi Phi Island, so fret not if you didn't get to book anything prior to your arrival to Krabi. You may get yourself at a discounted price when bargain is not an option when you book thing online. ATM is almost at every corner of the street, so don't worry about running out of cash (still, have to watch your budget). Most places don't accept credit card (including massage centre) so remember to bring enough cash with you, unless you are going to the high end places. Family Mart is abundant so don't worry if you forget to buy your mineral water while you on the run as there is high chance you will bump into one.
Ao Nang
Done with my meeting at KLCC on the 29th of December, I rush to airport to catch my evening flight to Krabi, in my office attire. Upon my landing at the airport, I bought my bus ticket heads to Ao Nang with 150 baht. There will be one lady (or may be guy but most of them are ladies) in charge to tell when the bus is coming and you shall let them know where your hostel is as they will drop you if it's on the way. Unfortunate for me though, there were 2 hostels with almost similar names so the bus driver was adamant that he stopped at the right one in which I was pretty sure it wasn't my hostel because from the map it's 1 minute walk to the beach but there was no beach in vicinity. Though I wasn't 100% sure that I was right so I get off the bus to ask anyway as the bus went off. Expected, it was not the right hostel and I had to have a 80 baht "tuk tuk" to get me to Ao Nang beach. It was already close to 7pm when I reached the place and the sky falls dark. My frustration continued as the driver didn't stop me at the exact location as I realised that the driver drove pass my hostel when I eventually knew the exact location. Bumped into my friends while searching for the hostel and I was off for my first dinner in Krabi/Thailand.
My first trial on pineapple fried rice. Basically it is fried rice served in pineapple shell. Not my favourite Siamese dish but it's worth a try.
My friends thought of going for a massage and I was like "Sure!" After a long day, my feet deserves some indulgence and pampering. I wouldn't call it a splurge to have a massage in Thailand since they are rather cheap. Say, 250 bath for a foot massage? So it is not surprising you are tempted to go massage on daily basis. The feet went ticklish (I am easily tickled) at first but eventually you just kind of getting into it. Sunset Massage is recommendable.
A yummy-licious pad thai to wrap my first night in Krabi.
My first trial on pineapple fried rice. Basically it is fried rice served in pineapple shell. Not my favourite Siamese dish but it's worth a try.
My friends thought of going for a massage and I was like "Sure!" After a long day, my feet deserves some indulgence and pampering. I wouldn't call it a splurge to have a massage in Thailand since they are rather cheap. Say, 250 bath for a foot massage? So it is not surprising you are tempted to go massage on daily basis. The feet went ticklish (I am easily tickled) at first but eventually you just kind of getting into it. Sunset Massage is recommendable.
A yummy-licious pad thai to wrap my first night in Krabi.
Railay
Longtail boats
One of the days that I was looking forward for was this very day as it is the rock climbing day! Had our breakfast at the hostel and we were off to Railay via long tail boat from Ao Nang Beach, which is just one minute walk away. We were greeted by King, our climbing instructor at the beach before heading to his shop to set up our gears. Bringing the ropes and stuff and we faced our rock. Unlike the indoor wall climbing with prominent coloured rocks (which indicates the difficulty), you climb to the top and watched out for any rock that you can hold on to or perhaps, chalk mark to bring you up.
Can you spot me?
I was given a chance to bilayer my friend during their climb. It's quite an experience and I wish only if I have brought glove. Nevertheless, you shall be certified bilayer and hence, hush hush.
After strenuous climbing in the morning, we replenished ourselves by having rejuvenating lunch at Mangroove Restaurant.
Red curry - I like spicy
Mango and sticky rice, my kind of combo
It was rather a late lunch that we had and in order to catch up the last boat back to Ao Nang which is 6pm, we made a quick stroll at Phra Nang Cave Beach, which is famous with the wooden statue and the cliff. Had a dip at the beach to conclude our day at Railay.
Amazing sunset view of Ao Nang Beach. A must see/take.
Green curry for dinner - I'm biased towards green than red now.
Phi Phi Island
Our hostel offers ticket to Phi Phi Island, including shuttle to the jetty. Booked ours the night before. Packed light refreshment at the Family Mart nearby our hostel before setting off to our next point of interest.
After two and a half hours being on the sea, we were welcomed by swarming tourists at Phi Phi Island. Additional 20 baht conservation fee is imposed per entry to the island. Under the scorching hot sun, we drag our bag to our hostel away from the crowd of the centre. Since it was peak season, most of the budget hostels were fully booked (Hence, ensure you do your booking in advance and considering the time during our visit is new year's eve). We stayed at a decent resort which costs around 100 baht per person per night. The hostel is located equidistantly from both sides of the beach.
Had a Chinese lunch and strolling around the island. Diving was part of our itinerary on the island, instead of the conventional island hopping. We secured our slots for the next day before starting our hike to the Phi Phi View Point to catch the sunset. The path to the point isn't that obvious at first where we passed by some sort of village before being diverted into muddy trails. Glimpse of hope emerged when we spotted a signage that leads to the view point.
Sunset at Phi Phi View Point. Worth it.
Prior to our new year countdown celebration, we had our dinner by the beach. Series of illuminated night clubs can be spotted along the beach with loud music playing. Fire show were exhibited at some of the clubs. We bought few bottles of Singha to spend the night before club hopping for the new year celebration.
After two and a half hours being on the sea, we were welcomed by swarming tourists at Phi Phi Island. Additional 20 baht conservation fee is imposed per entry to the island. Under the scorching hot sun, we drag our bag to our hostel away from the crowd of the centre. Since it was peak season, most of the budget hostels were fully booked (Hence, ensure you do your booking in advance and considering the time during our visit is new year's eve). We stayed at a decent resort which costs around 100 baht per person per night. The hostel is located equidistantly from both sides of the beach.
Had a Chinese lunch and strolling around the island. Diving was part of our itinerary on the island, instead of the conventional island hopping. We secured our slots for the next day before starting our hike to the Phi Phi View Point to catch the sunset. The path to the point isn't that obvious at first where we passed by some sort of village before being diverted into muddy trails. Glimpse of hope emerged when we spotted a signage that leads to the view point.
Sunset at Phi Phi View Point. Worth it.Prior to our new year countdown celebration, we had our dinner by the beach. Series of illuminated night clubs can be spotted along the beach with loud music playing. Fire show were exhibited at some of the clubs. We bought few bottles of Singha to spend the night before club hopping for the new year celebration.
A wild night before 2016.
May be not.