Thailand 8D7N Trip: Day 4 Nopparat Thara Beach, Asiatique

Day 4: Nopparat Thara Beach, Flight Krabi --> Bangkok, Asiatique

Our flight to Bangkok is in the afternoon and taxi driver suggested us to leave the hotel at 1pm. Hence, we have some time in the morning to explore Krabi for the last chance. Found that there is a slightly more peaceful beach than Ao Nang beach , which is just beside Ao Nang Beach. So, we took a Tuk Tuk in front of ibis style hotel to the beach --> Nopparat Thara Beach. The journey costs us THB90 for return Tuk Tuk trip.

Noppharat Thara is a long beach (~5km), adjacent to Ao Nang and split into two halves by a river. The side closest to Ao Nang is the most developed as it is bordered by the main coastal road; access to the other side is by boat, or by a dirt track from the road to Klong Muang. (click here for more information)

This beach is so quiet and tourist-less. I enjoyed my visit here. Such a peaceful morning walk. 

I miss Krabi a lot. The emerald / blue sea and the soft whitish sand. 

With the long tail boats

Before we leave, we took a photo in front of the hotel. Thanks for such an amazing stay.

The taxi driver came to the hotel early while we were playing pool. He is really nice and waited for us to finish the game. I'm so grateful to meet such kind soul in a new place. Travel always make me believe that there are a lot of kind souls on earth. =)

Reached airport after an hour. We had lunch at the airport lounge.

Yes.... I ordered pineapple fried rice (THB 150) again! =D

It is not as good but reasonable taste. 

Waiting area at Krabi airport. 

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Can't wait to explore Bangkok!

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Can't wait to meet my another 2 friends!

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Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, we went to the taxi area to get a taxi to the hotel. Their taxi system is very systematic and fast. We waited for 80 numbers in less than an hour of waiting. It was fast. But we were forced to squeeze into a taxi with huge bags. Suffocating inside with the bad traffic jam of Bangkok city. Wow. Traffic is worse than KL. 

We reached Pratunam area after about an hour. Then, we immediately checked in to KC place and went out for dinner at Asiatique. 

Asiatique The Riverfront is a large open-air mall, situated in the former docks of the East Asiatic Company, and faces the Chao Phraya River and Charoen Krung Road. Asiatique opening hours is 5pm-12am daily, with 1500 shops and stalls and 40 restaurants. Asiatique opened on 27th April 2012.

We had Thai Food for dinner in a restaurant that we simply chose. Too many choices and we were confused. XD The dinner was quite ok. I didn't really enjoyed as I noticed that my handphone went missing. It is either in the hotel, in the cab or being dropped somewhere. So, I wasn't paying full attention during my visit at Asiatique. However, I do enjoy my ferris wheel ride.

The landmark of Asiatique --> Asiatique Sky operated by Mekhong.

Thailand 8D7N Trip: Day 3 Phi Phi Island Tour, Sunset at Ao Nang Beach, Indian Food as Dinner

Day 3: Phi Phi Island Tour, Sunset at Ao Nang Beach and Indian Food @ Taj Palace for Dinner 

Island hopping is a must in Krabi! I haven't been to beach for months. Seriously, I miss my vitamin SEA. Initially, we were contemplating which island tour to choose from. Phi Phi Islands? 4 Islands? Phi Phi Islands can be access via Phuket too. So should I keep it for next trip?? But Maya Bay is too attractive and hence we chose Phi Phi Islands tour in the end. I feel a little sorry for a friend as she has been to Phi Phi. But she said she don't mind going there again. That assures me that it would be a great island hopping experience!

I booked the tour at airport with THB1000 per person, which include hotel pick up and buffet lunch. I think it is worthy as the lunch is good and they brought us to 7 islands (though we are not allowed to go down for all islands). 

Tuk Tuk picked us up at 8.30am. Favourite photo -- look! the sun shines on my face!

We are ready to get tanned and to enjoy the sea!

While waiting for the tour guide to brief us... Tourist photo first!

After 5 minutes briefing, we are good to go! Our tour consists of about 18 people, from different countries. The tour guide speaks good English (no problem in understanding). Was so excited to see these boats! We are really going to Phi Phi Islands! NOW!

Short walk to the boat (No.2!)

We need to take off our thongs prior getting on the boat. This is good! Make sure my thongs are safe throughout the trip. XD Spot my man-ish thongs!

We sat 2 by 2 opposite of each other so that we could chit chat in the boat. Smart, isn't it? =P

A little sharing on what I found about Phi Phi Islands. Phi Phi Islands are located between the large island of Phuket and the west Strait of Malacca coast of the mainland. The islands are administratively part of Krabi province. Technically, Phi Phi is 2 islands of Ko Phi Phi Don, where long beach is located, and Ko Phi Phi Leh, which is smaller and only accessible by tour or chartered fishing boat. To enter the national park, we are required to pay another THB400 per pax for entrance fee. Don't be too surprise with entrance fee as a lot of national park will require us to pay, for instance our Kota Kinabalu marine national park too!

The boat ride took about 45 minutes to reach the first stop. Bamboo Island.

The sand is soft! The water is so clear. O-M-G! I love bamboo island the most!

Look at the emerald green sea. So fascinating.

Sunbathing.

To be honest, the boat was really hot when I sat down and took this photo. Almost burn my butt! XD

Thailand 8D7N Trip: Day 2 at Krabi (Hot Spring, Emerald Pool, Blue Pool, Tiger Cave Temple, Elephant Trekking,The Hilltop)

Day 2: Day Tour (Hot Spring, Emerald Pool, Blue Pool, Tiger Cave Temple, Elephant Trekking) and Dinner at The Hilltop Restaurant

As mentioned in previous post (Thailand Trip Day 1 post), we booked day tours at the airport. The first day tour that we joined was Emerald Pool Tour (THB900 per person). The tour picked us up at our hotel at 8.30am, so we have plenty of time to enjoy our breakfast. Breakfast at ibis style hotel is quite good! I enjoyed my breakfast with pool view for 3 days. Awesome!

Buffet breakfast with my cuppa daily caffeine dose. Perfect start!

Scenic pool view during breakfast. Awesome isn't it. 

The van arrived at hotel lobby on time! So we started our journey to the first stop -- Hot Spring. So excited! Can't wait to try out natural hot spring at 38 degree celsius! The journey to hot spring from Ao Nang was about 1 hour.

Ta-daa!! We are at the hot spring waterfall already!

Group photo at the Hot Stream entrance.

This hot spring is located in the south of Krabi province in Klong Thom district, which is the nature's own hot-tub jacuzzis. The water here comes from thermal springs, originating deep underground in volcanic chambers. The running spring water is around 35 - 42 degree celsius. There are large man-made bathing pools available to accommodate increasing number of visitors. The mineral salts contained in the hot spring water are said to ease a number of ailments but those are unproven. (information obtained from yourkrabi)

Our tour guide suggested us to soak for only maximum 20 minutes as the heat may harm us, especially under El Nino hot weather. 

Wefie while walking to the hot spring waterfall. 5-10 minutes walk is required before arriving at the beautiful natural hot spring. Look! We are so well-equipped to fight with the sun! XD

There There.... We are at the hot spring waterfall. Good thing about this hot spring is that it doesn't contain sulphur, so it doesn't stink like rotten eggs. XD

Only soak my legs here. Weather is too hot! I sweated so much after 15 minutes of photo sessions in the water. 

After an hour of stay at Hot Spring, we got on the van and take another 15 minutes ride to Emerald Pool + Blue Pool. Emerald Pool ("Crystal Pool") is a large natural pool filled with pure spring water, where swimming is possible here. To reach the pool, we have to walk through trails through the Khao Nor Chu Chi forest (around 1.2km). If you want to visit the amazing Blue Pool, you will need to walk another 600m further upstream from the Emerald Pool. However, Blue Pool is surrounded by quicksand and it is hot, so no bathing is allowed. 

At the entrance to the trail to emerald pool

We reached Emerald Pool first and decided to walk further to Blue Pool. Emerald pool is full of people and we couldn't really find a good photo spot. XD

Rest for a while before we proceed. Loving this shot - love the nature, I'm surrounded by trees.

And this is the amazing blue pool! =)

So beautiful! I was stunned at the beauty of blue pool.

Emerald Pool with lots of people swimming in there. They said april is low season.... So I can't imagine how pack it can be during peak season.

They gave us 90 minutes to explore Emerald Pool and Blue Pool so it was a bit rush as a lot of walking needed. After that, we gathered at a restaurant near the entrance for buffet lunch. It was really relaxing. After that, we proceed with the tour to Tiger Cave Temple.

Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Seua) is a famous meditation centre. The temple was founded in the late 1970s, by Abbot Luang Por Chamnean Srilasatheto who came here to meditate in a cave. Legend has it that a tiger entered the cave but did not harm him, thus the temple was created on this magical spot. The main boulevard is lined with monkeys (keep food and drink out of sight) and ends at a large statue of Guan Im. There is a 1260 stair climb leads to the famous mountain-top shrine, for a view that will take your breath away. (Information from yourkrabi)

There are no tiger at Tiger Cave Temple. So don't worry XD

Thailand 8D7N Trip: Day 1 Kuala Lumpur - Krabi (Ibis Style Ao Nang Hotel, Krabi Night Market)

Finally, I am free to write down my 8D7N Krabi-Bangkok Trip in details. =D The whole trip cost me RM3000, which includes flight (3 flights), 7 nights accommodation, tour, food and shopping (to be honest, I bought a lot of clothes).

Let's start with Day 1. I took an afternoon flight from KLIA2 to Krabi. This is the first time I got on an AirAsia flight with LINE design. LINE~~ However, the flight was like roller coaster ride. My friend and I felt so nauseous and worried throughout the flight. Thank god we landed safely at Krabi. 

Cute design!

Of course we won't miss the chance to take a wefie in the cute cabin.

Upon arrival at airport, we booked a cab to our hotel, which cost us THB600 per cab. We chose cab over public bus as they cost the same to us after dividing. For bus, it will cost THB150 per person. So, it is more comfortable for us to get the cab instead. Our cab driver - Somchai is a very friendly gentleman. He welcomed us to Krabi and suggested us some things to do in Krabi. So nice of him! We also booked our day trip to Phi Phi Island (THB1000) and Emerald Pool (THB900) at the airport too. Settled everything at once before we start to enjoy. =)

About 45 minutes ride, we arrived at our hotel -- Ibis Style Ao Nang. I booked it via Agoda with the price of RM234/pax for 3 nights stay. Quite worthy. The room size is rather small but environment is very comfortable. 

Here's the room with twin bed. The room size is just nice to fit 2 person and there is some space for packing. Toilet is clean and nice too. 

Pool view + Mountain view from the balcony. Amazing view.

After washing up, we went out to hunt for some food. 

Street view outside of our hotel.

Saw a food stall selling coconut ice cream by the roadside. YEAH! It's coconut ice cream! 

Bought it for THB30, cheapest and most delicious coconut ice cream I've bought throughout the trip.

Let's take a food portrait!

And typical tourist photo with food. XD

Then, we went to an Indian/Thai fusion restaurant for light meal. We ordered 2 dishes to be shared among 4 of us -- Green Curry with Chicken and also Pineapple Fried Rice.

Green-est ever green curry I've ever tried. But the taste is okay. Just too oily and too green >.<

The Pineapple Fried Rice. 

Happy Face while waiting for our food to be served. The restaurant took 30 minutes to serve the food. Not gonna recommend this place. 

After that, we went to family mart to look for Lays with smiley face. It is the trend so we want to have a photo with it too!

It fits my face quite well. Hehe....

After hunting for food, we went back to Ibis Style Hotel to join the Night Market Tour at 6pm. We paid THB200 per pax for this night market tour for return trip of the van. I think the price is quite okay as the journey was quite long, around 20-30 minutes drive. 

Here we are at Krabi Weekend Night Market! As the name mentioned, this night market is only open over the weekend, mainly saying Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. So don't miss out your chance to visit if you are here for the weekend. There are a lot of food and souvenirs to look here!

We arrived around 6.30pm and it is still bright. But there are a lot of people walking around already. 

Wefie before exploring the night market! Let's go!

First stall that I found interesting is this pancake stall! The small pancake has different fillings and if you have trouble deciding, you can choose 7 pieces with mixed flavour for THB20. And.... I bought mixed flavour to have a try of all. Personally, I like the kaya one as it tastes like kaya ball. XD