Flight: Paid a bit extra to travel with Emirates again via Glasgow, well worth it and we arrived reasonably relaxed after the long flight.
Hotel: Excellent, one of the best locations in Ao Nang, AT the centre of things but not IN the centre of things. Easy accesses to shops, restaurants, transport etc and faces right onto the beach. Hotel amenities are good, clean and in keeping with its grade and description. Staffs are knowledgeable, welcoming, professional and discreet.
Food: Like many, we ate out mostly, Ao Nang features a wide and varied selection of restaurants and eateries and the highly rated (justifiably) ‘Street Food’. The Night Market in Krabi Town is a must see, not just for the food but the varied entertainment and authentic Thai crafts, a local shopping experience.
Resort and Krabi Area: We have been to Krabi Province previously but this time saw a dramatic change – far more commercialised but as always, the people are delightful, welcoming and tolerant. If you are seeking idyllic, quiet beaches as depicted in the film The Beach, you will be disappointed. They are still there but you will be sharing them with several hundred others. Otherwise, long-tail boats are cheap, fun and scheduled services run regularly along the coast.
Other than commercially provided activities, there is little to do other than the local boat trips. If you like canoeing, it is worth renting a kayak from nearby Railay Bay and paddle around the stunning limestone cliffs, maybe catch the rock climbers attempting some of the world famous routes. NB – do not be tempted to rent from the chap at the Southern end of Ao Nang beach (beyond The Last Fisherman Bar), his boats are poorly maintained, the life jackets are in poor condition and has a biased interpretation of what constitutes a ‘one hour’ hire. Noppharet Thara pier/beach and national park are quiet and worth exploring.
Best value for money is still a Traditional Thai Massage, competition is tough and prices low. However “caveat emptor”, the quality, skill and qualifications vary dramatically and price is not always an indicator of either. If everyone who claims to have trained at the Wat Po Temple in Bankok has – it must be the size of a small town. After trial and error I stuck with the I’M Tak Krabi Beauty Centre, sited opposite McDonalds sign on the main inland road – looks small from the outside but houses a large air conditioned interior. Girls, don’t always take the easy option of a western style oil massage, great though it is, you can’t go to Thailand without experiencing a traditional Thai massage. Done well, it is invigorating and your body will thank you.
Like the rest of the world, as a holiday destination Thailand is changing, but the pluses still outweigh the minuses and we shall continue to enjoy its diversity.
