Krabiiii...here I come...:) Actually it was planned 3 months back. Not by me, but my Auntie and Uncle. So I was not sure whether I am in the vacation trip or not, due to many reasons but at last I made it. So here goes my story.
15th November 12
My journey starts from KL. I took bus to Ipoh and joined with my Auntie family and went with their vehicle. After 4 hours journey we stopped at Changlun. Changlun is a main border town in Kedah. Around this area you can see many coffee shops (mainly owned by Chinese). Here they are providing services to prepare our travel documentation such as filling up embarkation card(printed version), cover note and car grant (for insurance) form preparation and hotel bookings and money changer as well. Its better to change more than enough because the interest rate is less at the border.
Baht...
They charge RM10 for the documentation services and for the hotel booking they request for full payment. They will be giving you a receipt upon your payment. Do not forget to get the hotel address and keep the receipt in safe.
After had our tea at the coffee shop and getting the documentations done, we headed straight to Bukit Kayu Hitam customs which is around 8km from Changlun. Then at Sadao customs we encountered a problem. My Uncle and Auntie whom have been to Phuket last year forgot to clear the car insurance cover note when checking out from there. So they were fined RM200 at the customs department. The officers were friendly and had explained the procedures and everything was settled in smooth. Left Sadao at 7.30pm.
Reached our hotel at about 8pm and checked in with the receipt from Changlun. It's Siam Center Hotel and it is in the middle of Hatyai town. The rooms were neat and clean with superb view from the 11th floor with reasonable room price RM95 per night.
But the washroom was little uncomfortable for me. And its not getting full mark for cleanliness and it has no hose or washer pipe fixed at the toilet. So we had some difficulties in using it but somehow we managed to overcome the situation successfully... ! Pheeewww...!
Look the stain mark around the photo frame...first of all is the frame needed in the toilet?
After freshened up ourselves, we planned to have dinner at outside. Few meters away from the hotel there were a lot of food stalls and souvenior shops. But don't get surprise if you see massage centers and saloons at every street, every corner you turn your head:)
Sweet start with Leng Chee Kang....!
This is the look of Hatyai street at night. Full of peoples and their activities.
While walking all along the street we found a travel agency which provides shuttle van and boat ride services to beach and islands such as Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi. You also can find a tour guide service to the best tourism spot at Songkhla. After considering it as a reasonable price, we booked the 2 way shuttle service to Krabi beach. It cost about RM29 per person (for 1 way). These charges are only for the transport from Hatyai to Krabi town. After all arrangements and payments done, our legs stopped at...where else of course to the nearby massage center. My closes friend Murali who visited to Thailand (for work purpose of course) more than he visited his own hometown, always makes me jealous with his massage experience especially for leg one. He strongly recommended me to do not miss out the massage whenever I had a chance to visit there. And now I'm here...then how do I miss it? Yes, I and my aunt did leg message together after had our dinner. Its only cost RM20 per hour.
16th November 12
16th November 12
Morning 9.30am the shuttle van fetched us from the hotel entrance. Its was advisable to take heavy breakfast because it takes 4 hours to reach Krabi (no worries the driver stopped after 2 hours for a break at a restaurant). I think its best to take flight and go to Krabi if your vacation spot is ONLY to Krabi. Because 8 hours of your time will be just wasted by traveling. If there are some visiting spots along the journey where you can stop-by to see some interesting places means okay. But what I saw was hills at both sides, palm trees, rubber trees and trees and houses. So don't do the mistake that we did.
At about 2pm we reached the Krabi town. Since we never booked any hotels for our stay, the driver brought us to nearby shop where they provide the hotel booking services. Its like everything is there. And you don't have to worry about anything or any feeling of lost. We informed our budget and they booked 2 rooms in Baan Pulaoon Hotel at Aonang Beach (RM160 per room with b/fast). Aonang Beach is 20mins from Krabi town. So the driver charged us RM40 to took us there. But if you take Tuk Tuk, they still charge you the same. Tuk Tuk is a cab cum bus/van. Yeah that's best description I can give.
At about 2pm we reached the Krabi town. Since we never booked any hotels for our stay, the driver brought us to nearby shop where they provide the hotel booking services. Its like everything is there. And you don't have to worry about anything or any feeling of lost. We informed our budget and they booked 2 rooms in Baan Pulaoon Hotel at Aonang Beach (RM160 per room with b/fast). Aonang Beach is 20mins from Krabi town. So the driver charged us RM40 to took us there. But if you take Tuk Tuk, they still charge you the same. Tuk Tuk is a cab cum bus/van. Yeah that's best description I can give.
Tuk Tuk....
Okay...now we are at Aonang Beach. In front of the Baan Pulaoon Hotel. Well, I was expecting a beach view hotel, but what we got was a three floor apartment type hotel near the main road.
The outlook may be not so grand or fail to impress, but believe me the rooms and their hospitality are heaven. It was so clean and very comfortable. Luckily we got the room facing the green jungle view. Its the hotel's backyard view. It was so cooling and peaceful.
What's next..? Of course the best rest! We took short nap and refreshed ourselves to get ready for shopping at Krabi night market. Its actually at the Krabi town where at first the shuttle service driver stopped for us to book the hotel. And here are some photos of night market.
17th November 12
After had our breakfast at the hotel, we were ready to our boating adventure as planned. Oh yeah forgot to write here about the plan. Krabi is famous for its beautiful islands. This Baan Pulaoon Hotel also provide boat trip to islands, snorkeling, canoeing and many adventures activities. We chose the boat trip to 4 islands which cost us RM340. So after had our breakfast we left to the beach at 8.30am. We went to Rayley Bay, Tap Island (Koh Tap), Chicken Island (Koh Gai), and Poda Island (Koh Poda).
This Raylay Bay best known as beautiful beach. It has nothing but heaven. The water is crystal clear and the sand...ohh..so white and clean. Of course you can stay here if you wanted to feel the adventures life of Tom Hanks in Cast Away...hehehe:) Yes, nobody lives here! And there is no boating available after 6pm here.
Entrance..
The outlook of the hotel....
The outlook may be not so grand or fail to impress, but believe me the rooms and their hospitality are heaven. It was so clean and very comfortable. Luckily we got the room facing the green jungle view. Its the hotel's backyard view. It was so cooling and peaceful.
its a room with double bed but since we requested they added a single bed..
clean and comfortable washroom...
What's next..? Of course the best rest! We took short nap and refreshed ourselves to get ready for shopping at Krabi night market. Its actually at the Krabi town where at first the shuttle service driver stopped for us to book the hotel. And here are some photos of night market.
On the way to the night market...in between Aonang beach and Krabi town..!
Did you notice the lady at the first shop? She is doing decoration light. Guess made of what? Come lets have a closer look!
This beautiful lights was the end product of ....
Can you see what was that made of?
Yes, its the plastic coke bottle.
See how creative the people are. Haizz...I should have bought one of this. But, since I'm in the full excitement of the surroundings, I've forgot about it.
Painting corner.....
Potrait and scenary paintings..
The prayer items.... Jasmine..and...
Pandan leaves...
The food item..
Close up...
The stage for performers in the mid of night market..
The peculiar traffic lights...
17th November 12
After had our breakfast at the hotel, we were ready to our boating adventure as planned. Oh yeah forgot to write here about the plan. Krabi is famous for its beautiful islands. This Baan Pulaoon Hotel also provide boat trip to islands, snorkeling, canoeing and many adventures activities. We chose the boat trip to 4 islands which cost us RM340. So after had our breakfast we left to the beach at 8.30am. We went to Rayley Bay, Tap Island (Koh Tap), Chicken Island (Koh Gai), and Poda Island (Koh Poda).
Raylay Bay...
The boat shop(bar)...
My foot print...
The next island we went was to Tap Island. This island is very special. It has 2 shores at both side. Something like you have seen it in the ending of 3 Idiots Hindi movie. I didn't take any picture of it because it was flooded with many people. Such a crowd till it makes my mood out to get down there to take pictures. Then we moved to Chicken Island and the boatman stopped at right place for snorkeling.
Chicken Island...looks like chicken laying rite:)
Snorkeling time...at Chicken Island
Poda Island...
The last was Poda Island. Its another heaven and the best among four. Guess why? Because they had a restaurant and washrooms facilities there. It's best to choose this island as your last stop. Because it will be easy for you to change your clothing after had swam at the previous islands.(*i think the boatman knows it well*)
After the island tour, we got back to the hotel at 1.30pm and checked out after an hour later. Yes, that's not the checkout time, but since the lady owner of the hotel Mrs.Velita was so understanding so she allocated us one room for changing and pack our things. She is very friendly and the only person who can speak good English among the people I met there. The hotel was run by her whole family and relatives. The transport and boating comes under her brothers, reception and refreshment taken care by herself and her sisters. And cleaning and room service done by her young and hardworking cousins.
After the island tour, we got back to the hotel at 1.30pm and checked out after an hour later. Yes, that's not the checkout time, but since the lady owner of the hotel Mrs.Velita was so understanding so she allocated us one room for changing and pack our things. She is very friendly and the only person who can speak good English among the people I met there. The hotel was run by her whole family and relatives. The transport and boating comes under her brothers, reception and refreshment taken care by herself and her sisters. And cleaning and room service done by her young and hardworking cousins.
Mrs. Velita...
Left Krabi with heavy heart but with enjoyable experience and of course with tanned skin. But that's okay. It can be recover within a week or two. Reached Hatyai at 7pm. The shuttle service dropped us at in front of our hotel. Yeah its the same Siam Center Hotel. We booked that day itself before we left to Krabi, because we parked our vehicle underground where we found its the free and safest parking while we are away.
This time we got the interconnected room. So very easy and convenient for us. Headed to the Hatyai night market after had our quick shower. After dinner, shopping..shopping and shopping till 11pm. Called for Thai massage service to the room. Again its for me and aunt. They charged us RM 30 per hour. Then slept at 2am after tea and some chit chat with kids.
18th November 12
Checked out at 12pm and headed to the town for lunch. All the way you can see Buddha everywhere.
But the wire too is going through everywhere...
Holding handbag as her sunshade...!
After lunch while slightly getting tired and sleepy, this scene provoked me very much and I captured her act. Actually there is a reason and story for this photo. You can see a lady holding her handbag as her sunshade rite! Can we do that in Malaysia...? While moving on the road..? Like in wide and open area..? I'm sure you are slowly shaking your head right to left, but still wanted to say that Malaysia is far better than Thailand rite? Believe me, Thailand is the safest country where you can move anywhere without any fear with friendly people around:) Phop kan mai...:)
