Krabi - Thailand
5/20/05
Krabi (pronounced gra-BEE) has scenic karst formations near the coast and even in the middle of Mae Nam Krabi (Krabi River). Over 150 islands surround the area and hundreds of years ago Krabi's waters were a favourite hideout for Asian pirates because of all the islands and water caves.
Although Krabi is essentially more Taoist-Confucianist and Muslim than Buddhist there are some nice Buddhist temples around.
We went to see the Tiger Cave which is located 6 km from Krabi. The Thai name is Wat Tham Seua. The main hall is built into a long, shallow limestone cave. Past the cave, through a little village, there is an arduous climb of 1272 steps to the top of a karst hill where there is another Buddha footprint shrine and a good view of the area.
Behind the hill there is a forest with many nice caves and interesting rock formations.
From Tiger Cave we went back to Krabi to have lunch and bought some snake-skin fruits at the market.
Krabi has the most original traffic lights we have ever seen so far....
We headed to Laem Pho to see Su-San Hoi, known in English as the Fossil Shell Beach. It is a graveyard where 75-million-year-old shell fossils have formed giant slabs junting into the sea.
The beach was full of tiny crabs digging holes in the sand creating funny patterns.
We also passed by Ao Nang, a lovely but dominated by tourists. Most of the package trips from Sweden end up here. It is full of shops of all kinds, massage, tailors and boat tour companies hunting the tourists. The view from Ao Nang though is a wonder. The rocks standing straight up from the water are impressive.
We ended the day at the night market in Krabi where we had the cheapest food ever. For 15 baht ($1US=40baht) each we could eat a huge selection of Thai food.
We called Stephanie, a friend from New York living in Thailand for more than one year teaching English. She was in Railay, exactely where we were planing to go the following day to rock climb, so we set to have breakfast together the next morning in Railay.
5/21/05
We left early from Krabi to Ao Na Mao where we caught a longtail boat to Railay. An interesting thing is that they use Isuzu car engines.
On the way we saw the Chicken Island, named after its shape. The Thai name is Ko Poda.
In Railay we met Stephanie, found that she is now living in Ko Phi Phi and arranged to meet her there again.
After breakfast we went to look for a company to rent the climbing gear and find the spot. The gear cost mere 600 Baht for half a day and the area we climbed, in the east side of Railay, known as Muy Thai was in a walking distance from the store. The place is just amazing, with rock formations by the water.
Bolts are on the rock so all we needed was the quick-draws and head up. The west side is called Ton Sai if you want to check on the Internet the routes.
If you like rock climb this place shouldn't be missed!!!
After rock climbing, we went to the hiden lagoon. we first climbed the hill covered with an amazing vegetation. The trees and ferns are gigantic.
From the top of the hill it is possible to see the Railay peninsula.
Then we headed down the hill on the other side to reach the lagoon but, after climbing down three dangereous spots, we decided to go back up. Moreover, we were getting eaten up by the horrible mosquitoes.
Then we went to explore the west side which is composed of numerous caves.
We went back to Krabi at the end of the day.
5/22/05
The plan was to visit Hong Island, but for some reason, no tour agencies were selling trips there, only chartered private boats could take us there. So we went to Ao Nang in the hope to find someone wanting to go to Hong Island and share the cost, 1700 Baht. We were approached by many boat drivers and let them know we wanted to go to Hong Island but not alone. Then we sat by the beach and appreciated the amazing view and the brise of the sea.
After an hour of staring at the horizon the boat driver found another couple willing to go there, a Thai couple from Bangkok on vacation.
Hong Island is located 25 kilometers away from the town with spectacular beaches and hidden lagoons full of tame colorful fish. We spent the day swimming and snorkeling on a deserted beach. We saw so many different fish!!!
5/23/05
On that day I relaxed in Krabi while Angie went to a Thai cooking class where she learned to prepare around 7 traditionnal Thai dishes. She brought some back for dinner and it was delicious!
Krabi (pronounced gra-BEE) has scenic karst formations near the coast and even in the middle of Mae Nam Krabi (Krabi River). Over 150 islands surround the area and hundreds of years ago Krabi's waters were a favourite hideout for Asian pirates because of all the islands and water caves.
Although Krabi is essentially more Taoist-Confucianist and Muslim than Buddhist there are some nice Buddhist temples around.
We went to see the Tiger Cave which is located 6 km from Krabi. The Thai name is Wat Tham Seua. The main hall is built into a long, shallow limestone cave. Past the cave, through a little village, there is an arduous climb of 1272 steps to the top of a karst hill where there is another Buddha footprint shrine and a good view of the area.
Behind the hill there is a forest with many nice caves and interesting rock formations.
From Tiger Cave we went back to Krabi to have lunch and bought some snake-skin fruits at the market.
Krabi has the most original traffic lights we have ever seen so far....
We headed to Laem Pho to see Su-San Hoi, known in English as the Fossil Shell Beach. It is a graveyard where 75-million-year-old shell fossils have formed giant slabs junting into the sea.
The beach was full of tiny crabs digging holes in the sand creating funny patterns.
We also passed by Ao Nang, a lovely but dominated by tourists. Most of the package trips from Sweden end up here. It is full of shops of all kinds, massage, tailors and boat tour companies hunting the tourists. The view from Ao Nang though is a wonder. The rocks standing straight up from the water are impressive.
We ended the day at the night market in Krabi where we had the cheapest food ever. For 15 baht ($1US=40baht) each we could eat a huge selection of Thai food.
We called Stephanie, a friend from New York living in Thailand for more than one year teaching English. She was in Railay, exactely where we were planing to go the following day to rock climb, so we set to have breakfast together the next morning in Railay.
5/21/05
We left early from Krabi to Ao Na Mao where we caught a longtail boat to Railay. An interesting thing is that they use Isuzu car engines.
On the way we saw the Chicken Island, named after its shape. The Thai name is Ko Poda.
In Railay we met Stephanie, found that she is now living in Ko Phi Phi and arranged to meet her there again.
After breakfast we went to look for a company to rent the climbing gear and find the spot. The gear cost mere 600 Baht for half a day and the area we climbed, in the east side of Railay, known as Muy Thai was in a walking distance from the store. The place is just amazing, with rock formations by the water.
Bolts are on the rock so all we needed was the quick-draws and head up. The west side is called Ton Sai if you want to check on the Internet the routes.
If you like rock climb this place shouldn't be missed!!!
After rock climbing, we went to the hiden lagoon. we first climbed the hill covered with an amazing vegetation. The trees and ferns are gigantic.
From the top of the hill it is possible to see the Railay peninsula.
Then we headed down the hill on the other side to reach the lagoon but, after climbing down three dangereous spots, we decided to go back up. Moreover, we were getting eaten up by the horrible mosquitoes.
Then we went to explore the west side which is composed of numerous caves.
We went back to Krabi at the end of the day.
5/22/05
The plan was to visit Hong Island, but for some reason, no tour agencies were selling trips there, only chartered private boats could take us there. So we went to Ao Nang in the hope to find someone wanting to go to Hong Island and share the cost, 1700 Baht. We were approached by many boat drivers and let them know we wanted to go to Hong Island but not alone. Then we sat by the beach and appreciated the amazing view and the brise of the sea.
After an hour of staring at the horizon the boat driver found another couple willing to go there, a Thai couple from Bangkok on vacation.
Hong Island is located 25 kilometers away from the town with spectacular beaches and hidden lagoons full of tame colorful fish. We spent the day swimming and snorkeling on a deserted beach. We saw so many different fish!!!
5/23/05
On that day I relaxed in Krabi while Angie went to a Thai cooking class where she learned to prepare around 7 traditionnal Thai dishes. She brought some back for dinner and it was delicious!
posted by Adriano and Angie | 6:38 AM
4 Comments:
Thailand, sure is a beautiful place, better then I imagined to be. They do have a lot if exotic fruits over that part of Asia. I bet, the fruits are tast much better then USA. Cann't wait to try and cann't wait to climb the rocks, the rock looks very interesting and challenged. Did you guys see any drag-queens,or 'she-man' who are much beautiful then most of women? I know Thailand is famous for that as well.
Well, cann't wait to see you...
Yes we saw some drag-queens, but it is hard to beat the Thai girls...
Come on Adriano ! Are you saying that besides the amazing landscape the Girls are even more appealing ?
How can we stand that ???
Guys, let's go there this winter instead of in the Alps for once !
Doris, Danny, Arturo, Rodrigo's, Asther, and all, are you ON ???
Last comment was from Flavien...
Post a Comment
<< Home