Trip Report: Krabi, Thailand

Trip Report: Krabi, Thailand Posted in Classic on February 28th, 2006

normally, i’m a champion of whoremongers and brave travellers that bounce nation to nation for the illicit, inexpensive sexual activity but i understand there are others who are more traditional relationship/family oriented so i’ve decided to re-invent my tour to cater to that type of customer. why?

for 1, i believe there are a limited number of people that can afford a real vacation to thailand. it’s a very long flight from the US. at least 14 hrs even with a direct flight from los angeles to bangkok and can max at about 30 hrs depending on layovers and stops from the east coast. a round trip ticket (economy) ranges from 700-1200US (can vary with taxes). i wouldn’t recommend taking the trip unless you have at least 9 days for a vacation. for the first time i’d say max at about 14 days depending on what you’re looking to experience.

for 2, i believe that some people just need this kind of place to help them appreciate what natural beauty is about. the same beauty you saw in your wife’s eye’s before you tied the knot… after your first kiss… when you witnessed the birth of your child together. there is just raw beauty here that can rekindle fires that lay asleep in your heart when you experience them with someone whom you care deeply for.

for 3, i don’t do things cheap but i don’t do things outrageously expensive. anyone from middle class income to upper class income can go on a vacation with me and feel like they’ve experienced service and sites that most only dream of. i think it takes unique individuals that think out of the box and live unusual lives to appreciate such an opportunity and i prefer to deal with that type of clientele… people similar to me rather than babysit a group of guys who can range from synical to neurotic. that being said, here’s what i experienced in Krabi, Thailand on a very short mini-vacation:

arrival: we arrived in Krabi at their rather small airport and were picked up by a car we had arranged (even though the hotel had sent 1 for us). we stayed at a boutique “hotel” called “The Cliff” which is actually more a group of bungalows situated just next to a massive cliff. each bungalow is a private room with the bathroom situated outdoors… it has a/c, a big queensize bed with down comfortors and pillows (which is stange for the warm climate) but very comfortable (~110US/nite, normally 200US+/nite). we got in late so the only thing we could do that nite was go and have a few drinks at the small set of bars not far from the hotel. this place is nothing like pattaya or bangkok consisting of mostly shops, restaurants, lounges and other small business catered to tourists on the beach of Ao Nong. there are very few bars with working thai girls and no gogos that i know of.

day 1: we woke up at around 7:30 because we had breakfast (served on the deck by the pool just outside our bungalow) scheduled at 8am. we planned on taking a long tail boat to visit 3 islands situated not far off the coast of Krabi ([b]Koh Gai[/b] or Chicken Island, among others). cost was about 31US to for the trip that would have us back at about 1PM. we stopped first at a beach for a little relaxation and snorkelling for 40 minutes then headed over to see the chicken head shaped rock mass that gives the island its name and did a lil more snorkelling off our long tail. the next island was actually 2 islands that were separated by just a shallow bit of water that you can simply walk across. the water was clear and beautiful so we enjoyed our time there taking loads of photos. we then moved on to another island brimming with resorts and tourists that came for the views and mountain climbing. near the resort, there is a an area teeming with monkeys that WILL BITE if u get too close or if you are carrying snacks they want. we had no problems but got some great photos of them. after relaxing on the beach for a while, we headed back because our time was up. we at lunch at a little shack just out of the tourist area. the food was great and the people were friendly… though normally thai people who don’t get out much start at us a lot, we didn’t get too much of that here… just lots of laughs and good food. we retreated to our bungalow where we did a little swimming in that beautiful pool before heading to dinner at a quaint little seafood restaurant on the beach where there are no small sized shimp and all the fish is fresh and delicious. we wrapped the day up with a nite playing pool and drinking beers at a small bar that played mostly laid back alternative jams like Red Hot Chili Peppers.

day 2: breakfast was served once again, promptly at 8am and we were off to catch a speed boat tour (share a speed boat with about 8 other people, +3 crew members) at about 36US per person. we stopped first at another beautiful island with pool water on the coast and sand as white as snow. we relaxed and sunbathed there for about 40 minutes before heading out to phi phi islands. the first of which was small compared to [b]Phi Phi Don[/b], but everyone made a stop there for snorkelling and sunbathing on the beach. they were shooting a commercial here so a little of the beach was closed off for the cameras and crew. after about 40 minutes there, we headed to the main island where there’s a huge strip of shops, clubs and restaurants on the beach. we ate lunch (which was included with our boat ride) and did a little shopping before meeting up again with the speed boat. we made our way back to the mainland but not before 2 more stops at the coral reefs for more snorkelling. they were sure to warn us of sea urchins at low tide and teased us with shark sightings (sharks here are small and have yet to attack any swimmers). the trip took the entire day so we arrived back at Krabi a little after 4PM. we once again retreated to the bungalow where we showered, my girl did more swimming in the pool and sunbathing while i did a little catching up on work using the wirelss internet connection provided free of charge by The Cliff. we spent that evening eating huge shrimp and fried fish with chilis at the same quaint restaurant on the beach. we wrapped up this nite with a few drinks at a club on the beach… playing in the water, snorkelling and sunbathing can zap energy right out of you but i can’t think of a better way to do it!

departing: we asked that they serve us breakfast in the restaurant upstairs for our last day so we could take a few pictures. we left for a moment to return our rented motorbike before we reluctantly checked out and took the 30 minute ride back to the airport headed for bangkok. the service was splendid, the sights were unforgettable and my company? exotic, splendid, irresistible. imagine having those same thoughts about your mate again!