Thailand Part 1 - Aonang Beach Krabi

---

[youtube=XyX-2aJ7U_c]

Day 107

This morning we got a taxi with Richard and Laura from Devon to the ferry port as we were all going to Krabi in Thailand. The 1 hour ferry journey took us to Satun where we had to clear customs and get our passports stamped. Unfortunately they only provide you with a 15 day free tourist visa when entering the country this way. We will be in Thailand 17 days so we will have to pay for 2 extra days when we leave. It is this sort of information that you can't research in advance and you only get to know about it when arriving or when talking to fellow travellers.

We were taken into Satun Town by a tuk tuk and dropped off at the bus station. We had to wait an hour or so for the bus and eventually it left at 12.15pm despite us being told it would be 10.30am. The bus collected many passengers along the way and provided on-board entertainment. Unfortunately it was the most awful Thai rock show, the volume was very loud and made for a painful journey.

Upon arriving at Krabi Town 5 hours later we shared another tuk tuk with Richard and Laura for the 30 minute ride to Aonang. We had booked our accommodation in advance on hostelbookers as the rating was very high, it looked great value for money and had a pool. It turned out that we were actually staying at Aonang Paradise Resort so we will be enjoying some luxury for a few days.

Before having a meal we walked down the town to the main beach where we saw the picture postcard scenery that we have been imagining. Several long boats were tied up on the clear turquoise blue sea in front of statuesque limestone mountain islands.

The restaurant we decided on had a happy hour so we enjoyed some cocktails with our meal, we now feel like we are in paradise once more.

14/5
Day 108

After a lovely buffet breakfast we went for a walk along Aonang beach. It is a lovely beach although you do get bothered by the ladies offering massages in their beach huts for a for a good price. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the sunshine by lounging by the pool.

In the afternoon I treated myself to a Thai massage that the hotel offered in a relaxing room by the pool and bar. It was an interesting hour as I have not had this sort of massage before. It involves the masseur using their thumbs, palms, feet and their body weight to energise your body.

In the evening there was a heavy rain storm so we enjoyed another meal in the restaurant next door.

15/5
Day 109

Today we had booked to go on a trip to the islands of Phi Phi in the Andaman Sea via speed boat. We were collected from our resort and taken just out of town to board our boat at the beach. The weather was perfect today and made the scenery as spectacular and breath taking as we had imagined.

A 45 minute journey took us to Bamboo Island where we swam from the beach to snorkel over the coral. We were joined by a 2 foot long lizard and many colourful fish. Back on the boat we passed some caves in a limestone mountain where locals were collecting sparrow nests to make bird nest soup, apparently it is an expensive delicacy! Another snorkelling opportunity at the next stop, here many of our fellow snorkellers used bread to attract the fish.

The journey then took us to a secluded shallow lagoon with tall mountain cliff sides that can only be accessed at high tide, it was beautiful and the water magically clear. The boat then anchored at Maya beach which has been made popular by the Leonardo Dicaprio film “The Beach”. It was another amazing place and we got to enjoy a bit of time here before we left for Ko Ph Phi Don for lunch.

There were a couple of more snorkelling locations we visited on the way back to Krabi. Once back at the hotel we enjoyed cooling off in the swimming pool. In the evening we met up with Richard and Laura for a meal and a few cocktails. We enjoyed their company and it was interesting discussing our experiences as our trips have been similar so far.

---

Photos

Maya Beach
"The Beach"

Comments

[Tony and Rosie]

Phi Phi
We remember it well - probably have some photos of the same fish! Tuk tuk, massage, welly cheep!