Krabi Province
Krabi is on southern Thailand’s west coast and is a province characterized by craggy, sheer limestone cliffs, dense mangrove forests, and more than a hundred offshore islands. Some of its most popular beach destinations include the Phi Phi Islands, which jut from the sea like giant rainforested boulders, and Railay Beach, accessible only by boat and a prominent rock-climbing spot.
Area: 4,709 km²
Population: 456,811 (2014)
AO NANG is a resort town in southern Thailand's Krabi Province. It's known for a long Andaman coast beachfront and access to dive sites off the nearby islands in its bay. It's also a center for long-tail boat tours to the beaches of limestone islands such as Ko Hong, Ko Poda and Ko Gai (Chicken Island). Other boats make trips to Railay Beach, a well-known destination for rock climbers.
THURSDAY 8th MARCH (continued):
Uneventful 1hr 20mins flight to Krabi arriving at the Ao Nang, Phu Pi Maan resort around 14:30
Apparently we were upgraded (allegedly) from a mountain-view to a pool-view; couldn't see much difference to be honest as the mountains can be seen over the narrow pool. Room itself quite impressive; fairly large, clean with a colossal bed, nice verandah and sitting out area.
Although we were aware that the area was predominantly Muslim, it came as a shock to me that NO alcohol was available on-site. Alcohol free bars; what a let-down. I did check and there's no objection to us bringing our own beer into the room.
Another pain (speaking as an infidel) is the regular Imam blasting his summoning to prayer from the nearby mosque; We'll have to get used to that I guess.
As first-night guests we were offered a 'special discount' on an evening meal. This was taken advantage of as neither of us wanted to wander about Ao Nang. Food was pretty good to be honest but the main menu seems a bit expensive so it's likely we'll be eating out in the evening.
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TOP: Panoramic view from our room balcony.
SECOND: General views of Phu Pi Maan Resort. Our room is in the complex in the distance.
FOURTH LEFT: Some of the so-called "Premier De-luxe" rooms. Our room is the centre one behind the palm leaves.
FOURTH RIGHT: One of the lobbies in Phu Pi Maan.
BOTTOM: Photos of inside our room (before Aom trashed it).
FRIDAY 9th:
Alcohol free evening led to an early breakfast. Breakfast buffet-style food very good so far with plenty of choice served in the main restaurant just under our room. Semi al-fresco and very pleasant indeed.
Caught the complimentary tuk-tuk taxi down to the sea-front and spent an hour on the beach before being driven off by the hot sun. Very little if any shade on the beach after 11:00. Before then there is some shade from the beach road trees.
Caught the taxi back around 12:10 (shuttle runs every hour; on the hour) and stayed in the room for a hour or so to cool off.
Back in town again by 2:30pm and sneaked a couple of Chang beers in a beach road bar/restaurant.
Jumped the shuttle yet again but got dropped off on the main road. Decided to eat at a restaurant here and then stocked up on some beers to take back to the fridge in our hotel room.
SATURDAY 10th:
Bit of a lazy morning. I caught a lot of sun in the short time we were on the beach yesterday, but in any case, the morning was quite cloudy. Morning temperature still in the mid 30's in spite of the overcast weather.
Ventured out around noon looking for a restaurant highly recommended by another guest. So recommended that one had to make a booking. We found the place "Jungle Kitchen" and lo-and-behold it was booked up 'til Monday, and Monday only one slot at 5pm was available which was duly taken by us.
Aom tempted by an Issaan style restaurant and guzzled her way through a papaya salad.
Very hot in the sun by now so we just happened top be passing a massage parlour and decided to dodge the heat for an hour with a relaxing foot massage apiece.
I'm not one for recommending places to eat as so many tastes differ... one man's meat, etc. However, I must now warn anyone reading this blog to avoid at all costs a certain so-called restaurant in Ao Nang. I cannot recall the name of it but as you pass the Mosque on the right-hand side heading towards the sea the first restaurant next to the mosque is a filthy, disgusting joint. I'm not sure how we ended up there to eat but the empty tables should have given us a hint. I ordered a Thai Green Curry but what came was a puddle of crap with some lukewarm rice. It was this rice which had clearly been kept warm all day that made little Jack violently ill and the rest of us feeling decidedly iffy.
EAT HERE AT YOUR PERIL
Street seller: eggs and fruit, and Aom buying some pomelo, my favourite Thai fruit.
SUNDAY 11th:
Poor Jack was vomiting most of the night after eating at that disgusting eating place. Aom and I weren't 100% either so it was a late breakfast followed by the other two spending all morning in bed.
It was mid afternoon when we emerged from the hotel, dropping off some clothes at a local laundry run by a Thai lady and her British husband. Spent a good while chatting to them then down the road to Aom's favourite Isaan eatery; she ate, I drank soda-water.
