Railay Beach and Bangkok

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After spending a pleasant day on Railay Beach it was time to get back to Bangkok for our flight home on the 16th

Railay Beach is a complete contrast to the deserted Sunset Beach on Kradan. Vendors trying to sell us clothing, sarongs, Jewellery and all manner of food and drink. People everywhere all trying to sit under the patches of shade that were growing ever smaller as the sun climbed higher and higher in the sky.

We bought Pad Thai that was cooked on a Longtail Boat before taking our last dip in the sea and drinking in the amazing scenery for the last time. Despite the abundance of people Railay is still a spectacular area, high cliffs jutting straight up from the sea and dramatic rock formations everywhere.

We showered in Sharon and Scott's room in readiness for the journey to Krabi Airport, the electric decided to cut out right then so we had to try and pack our last minute things in the dim interior and I had to travel back with wet hair as my hair dryer would not work, the least of my worries as it happened!
We said our goodbyes to Sharon and Scott and clambered onto a Longtail Boat, as it pulled up at Ao Nang the stupid driver decided to drive it in engine first meaning we had to climb over it and all the black grease to get out of the boat. As I struggled to get out with my big pack a wave washed up and soaked me to the top of my legs, thankfully I managed to keep my bag out of the water.
Back on the road in Ao Nang we were accosted by a sawngthaew driver, this time we paid extra to have it to ourselves for the journey to the airport rather than impose our mess in a nice air-con taxi.
This proved useful as I had space to dry and clean my legs, feet and flip flops of sand, leaving a big pile in the back of the Sawngthaew. On a quiet stretch of road I stripped of my wet shorts and pulled on dry trousers, then dried my, still wet, hair in the breeze as we sped along. By the time we got to the airport I looked half presentable, amazingly! I wouldn't have been able to do all that in a taxi AND we saved 200 baht.

By 10pm we were sat in Geko Bar on Soi Rambuttri watching the crazy world of Bangkok go by and eating tasty egg fried rice from a street cart costing 20 baht (about 25p)

Saturday 16th Feb

After a rushed breakfast at Poppiyan Restaurant it was time to head off back to the Airport. Although it was only 5.20am Poppiyan had several tables full of people drinking beer, we chose coffee, naturally!!

Well that's it, until the next time.

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Photos

Railay Beach
Before the crowds move in

Railay Beach
and after

Beach Vendor on Railay
Desperately trying to get me to buy a whole new wardrobe

Bangkok Airport
A traditional Thai send off

Comments

[Michelle]

And...back to reality
Awesome that you managed to catch up with Sharon and Scott again. Bet you 4 had a blast again! Are the other two travelling for ages - nothing better than Thailand and cheap.... hope to see you all again soon x