Road Trip to Krabi

Previously I went to Krabi with my ARI's fellows. Feeling super excited about showing Krabi to my family back in Kelantan, we decided to go on an impromptu trip there. The first time, we weren't fully prepared, but we went anyway. Driving around Thailand was rather an easy breezy experience because the Thai police won't kacau you and the road is like straight most of the times 😉

We started our road trip pretty late that day mainly because we got the idea pretty late too. It was already dark when we entered Thailand through Sg. Golok immigration gate. Our first stop was City of Hatyai. We spend a night in Hatyai City since we arrived almost midnight. We opted for Kosit Hotel - cheap, strategic location, spacious room & free parking available! The next morning, we roamed the street of Hatyai in search for good halal breakfast. We found a 'Kelantan Restaurant' that already serving breakfast although it was so very early.

  

Then, we hit the road again! Our next stop was Trang, the Andaman Gateway. This R&R is very cool because it has the life-size-almost-real-looking elephant statues lining up and doing all sort of posing and action there. Such a photo-zone and of course we'd stop-you too!

  

Our journey to Krabi continues on with only toilet stop once in a while. Since we're coming from Kelantan, I'd figured out that we're going to pass the Emerald Pool first before the Krabi town itself, so we decided to stop by at the Pool on our way to Krabi. Foreigner need to pay an entrance fee of 200 baht per person. There, you can see the Crystal Pool, Emerald Pool and also the Blue Pool. Trekking is required for this trip to the pools.

  

The Emerald Pool is really emerald in color! At the entrance, we can see the crystal clear river that flows. We're all mesmerized at the water there.

  

 After that we head straight to the Krabi town. We're staying in Ao Nang's area. After checking in, we went out to chase sunset at Ao Nang's beach and for dinner. Useful tips, we rented scooters there. Easier to move around!

 

Later that night we went to the Krabi Night Market. It was sooooo much fun - eating and eating and eating while listening and watching the performances by the local.

 

The next morning, we head out for breakfast at the local stall-restaurant runs by Muslim.

We had the best green curry ever and some more local cuisine for breakfast at very cheap price too. We even exchange ideas and opinions and even recommended some food to a couple of Mat Saleh that went into the stall upon seeing us devouring our food 😄

Sawadika Krabi!

KRABI WITH ARI’S FAMILY!

 “There are years that ask questions, and years that answers”.

Hello. This year, many of my prayers got answered. I prayed for strength to go through the difficult time, HE granted me with great examiners that gave me A for my thesis. 

Oh My. Alhamdulillah. (Pergh,intro.)

It’s been more than 6 months that I worked for/with ARI in UiTM Shah Alam. My lecturers are the best ever. So does my RA colleagues! We’re like one big family. Even though I’m a little bit afraid of getting all close and affectionate with them, I just couldn’t help it. I love being loved and returning it. Love is all we need, isn’t it?

So back to the title, Dr Lia asked the lovely Zyzie to organize a short vacation to anywhere, just anywhere. This is because, her son, Imad and Dr Zu's Ijud are back on semester break from the USA and she wanted to go on a vacation together. To add more fun, of course she needs (MUST) to invite us. Considering the exchange rate, cost and the paxs that are interested to join our trip, we chose Krabi, Thailand.

Sawadekaa,first thing first. Zyzie booked the flight tickets plus insurances. But the ticket prices varied as the guest list keep getting longer, until we reach 23 paxs. Yes, we travel in group of 23 people and the Oscar Villa that we’re staying at had a great amount of headache entertaining us on arrival. 6 villas and 3 shuttle vans to cater us. Phew. Thank you so much Oscar Villa!

Day 1.

We decided to park & ride at ERL Putrajaya since it’s convenient and cheaper! We managed to catch the first train to KLIA 2 at 4.51am and arrived at the airport 20 minutes later. Everybody was at the airport by 5.30am since our flight was at 7am. Krabi, here we go!

Upon arrival, 3 shuttle vans were waiting for us. Our accommodation is near Ao Nang beach. Not THAT close, it’s 15minutes by tuk-tuk or 10minutes by van. We opted for Oscar Villa due to our big group. Initially we wanted to go for packages bargain at Ao Nang’s as per suggested by many. However, Oscar Villa offered us their service & packages at much discounted price, we figured, no need to bargain at Ao Nang anymore.

Right away we booked for elephant trekking and night market activity.

At 11 am, our shuttle vans came to pick us up to Safari Elephant Trekking. We had so much fun out in the scorching hot, riding elephant, trekking hills nearby for 1 hour. Then we’re back to our villa, enjoying the villa and refreshing ourselves before the vans came again at 5pm. To Krabi Town night market!

 

Day 2.

Today is reserved for island hopping and snorkeling. Even though Krabi is well-known for Phi-Phi Island and many more famous islands, we opted for less famous ones in our hope to avoid more people. Well, our group alone is already 23 paxs without our guides. We chose Hong Islands. An old school bus pick us up at the villa! 

We’re supposed to start our tour at 8am, but due to bad weather, we only get to depart from the shore by 11am. I must say, Krabi is for relaxing, sightseeing and island hopping, not snorkeling. There are literally no coral but beautiful emerald colored water so it kinda set it off.

 

Back from our island hopping, we went to Ao Nang town searching for more great food! Yummy! Hooray for the many halal eateries! Dr Lia and Dr Bell, went searching for massage parlor and found a great place that offer tip top service at super great price! We booked for a session the next day.

 

Day 3

Our activity for day 3 was just Emerald Pool & Hot Spring tour.As usual, vans pick us up at 8am after we had our breakfast. First stop is the Hot Spring. Wow. 

 

After that we went to the Emerald Pool. My oh my, it wasn’t just name! The color is no joke, insane! We had great time playing in the water. The almost 1km walk to the pool was worth it. 

 

We also visited the Blue Pool. And we kept on clapping and making sounds so that the pool produces air bubbles. Wow amazing!

It was my birthday on the 4th August, so the youngster group decided to go out for a FEAST dinner and they also treated me with cake from Ao Nang's starbucks. I was touched when they sang me happy birthday outside the shop. Thank a million guys!

Day 4.

It was free and easy day. Everyone could just go wherever they want. Us 5 girls decided to go for Full-body coffee scrub, 2 hours Thai massage and 30 minutes facial, all for less than 1000 bhat. My gosh. I love it. 

Until then, bye bye Krabi!

(2-5 August 2015)