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Surrendering to nature, and filling the lungs with clear, clean air, as you lie on pure, white sand, is something that is never boring to anyone. Oftentimes, as we look fondly at old postcards, and feel so enchanted by them, we can hardly resist the urge of wanting to pack and head for that very destination. And doing so, without having to know why that venue remains a sought after beach destination for relaxation among travelers, its beauty and attractions so well known in the world and, in particular, the exciting cliff climbing adventures.
The mere depiction on postcards of white sands, crystal-clear seas, beautiful coral reefs, caves, mountains and water falls is fascination enough for many who cannot resist the thought of visiting Krabi. For this is one of the destinations travelers seek in their quest for a beautiful beach resort location where they can truly relax.
Krabi, one of three beautiful southern provinces in Thailand, along with Phuket and Phang-nga, is a popular destination for weekend breaks. Among its attractions are the beaches and dive spots that unveil the underwater world of the Andaman Sea beneath Phi Phi Island, one of the world’s top ten most outstanding tourist sights, where fish of many species and colors thrive in shallow- and deepwater corals.
Flights operated by THAI make the journey to Krabi a convenient choice as tourists can choose from three daily direct flights to Krabi from Bangkok. Alternatively, visitors can make use of the Eurng Luang tour with a diverse range of tour packages on offer, generally inclusive of both a return ticket and shuttle bus service between the airport and the hotel.
Downtown Krabi has many fascinating sights to offer tourists, be it the rich forest environment of Phanom Benja Hill National Park; the mangroves right in front of the city, or Ao Nang where sea breezes help subdue the summer heat. All are within the district area of Krabi.
Those who fancy some delicious food are recommended to head for Kongkha Road near Choa Fah Pier, the site of Chao Fah and Thara Parks-two public parks ideal for strolls for tourists wishing to kill time waiting for the boat to take them on an island-hop tour. Here, they can both enjoy seafood and benefit from a seafront view, which is what makes Krabi famous.
Alternatively, they may want to hop on a boat from the pier and set off for the nearby mangroves, feeding grounds for Finfoot birds, and then on to marvel at the beauty of stalagmites and stalactites. A small islet in the estuary of the River Krabi is the site of a fishing village with floating fish farms, where inexpensive protein-rich fish lie in abundance.
Evenings in Krabi present different attractions. A city sightseeing tour reveals the enviable natural beauty of Krabi, including the Limestone Mountains and steep cliffs with unusual shapes. Crowds gather to relax in the evenings along the Nopparat-Thara Beach road. Locals spread out their mats under the pines and order spicy papaya salad that comes with mouthwatering, golden deep-fried sea prawns. Blanched conches with a spicy dip are another not-to-be-missed dish.
Nopparat-Thara Beach was formerly known as Klong Haeng Beach, a name rooted in the natural phenomenon of the area. At tidal ebbs, the canal is turned into a long stretch of beach that converges with another islet called Khao Pak Klong Nah Had Islet, making it possible for people to walk along a single, dry stretch.
Besides the fine beaches, a rich assortment of activities can also be enjoyed. Tha Lane Bay is a popular site for kayaking. Shops offer kayak rental services in different formats; a popular arrangement is a kayak tour that involves a group of kayaks, similar to a rowing picnic. Tourists on this kind of tour are at liberty to drop by at any place for food or snacks while examining the different creatures of the mangroves, one of the most fertile ecological grounds and something not to be missed.
As this is a natural habitat for monkeys, you become a natural target for them if they spot you with bananas. But once your kayak reaches open water, you have arrived at a lagoon amidst limestone cliffs. This place gives you a really special and exciting experience and you may want to pause here for snacks before spending time cooling off in the water.
For those with ample energy, the waves here render a special challenge. Hong, Lading, Phak Bia are islands that could be quite challenging. But laughter, fun and thrills constitute yet another experience.
Cliff climbing and defying earth’s gravity at Railay Bay offers a popular alternative; so popular that it has become known the world over, thereby making this a site where famous cliff climbers gather.
Getting there is easy. Simply take a small, long-tailed motorboat from Ao Nang to Ao Railay for 50 baht per person for the 15-minute ride to the west of the island. You will be greeted by beautiful fine sand, which makes this an ideal place to relax. Look for a shop where you can enjoy music and food before you venture across the island toward the east or Nam Mao Beach where the two beaches converge to form a crescent.
There are activities to suit all tastes. The colors on this side of the island suddenly change, as this is a training ground offering colorful and inexpensive climbing gear for rental. Theory is offered in the training process, although emphasis is placed on practice over the many climbing routes. For novices, be advised to try the one-two-three route with a different rating based on the degree of difficulty. The 6A+ rating that indicates a standard challenge is enough to exhaust anyone.
It normally takes a half-day to cover both the theory and practice of climbing, regardless of gender. After an exhaustive bout of cliff climbing, you can follow a narrow path to Phra Nang Cave Beach, a beach at the very end of the cape, south of western Railay Beach. There, you can relax on the sand and choose from a wide variety of services ranging from massage to Hanna painting and plaiting – all services popular with foreign tourists. Alternatively, you can choose to guard your quiet moments by swimming, reading or enjoying the stalagmites and stalactites in the nearby Phra Nang Cave.
If you are up for shopping, take a chartered boat to the market to ensure you get back to Phra Nang Bay for lodging after your shopping spree. This excursion will give you an opportunity to see the colorful sights of the night market where you can buy souvenirs at attractive prices. The market was opened only recently. Complementing the night market are pubs, beer bars, Italian restaurants, and many tour operators offering diving, kayaking and car rental services. It remains a busy place till the wee small hours of the morning.
Other tourist sites in Krabi that are accessible by road begin in the area within the Muang(town)district. From Ao Nang along route 4023 to Baan Laem Bodhi, Tambon Sai Thai, lies the world famous shell graveyard, a natural phenomenon considered to be one of only three in the world; the others being in the USA and Japan. And it is the only shell graveyard in the seaside district where can be found layers of ancient shell fossils spread over two kilometers and dating back some 40 million years. Today, tidal waves have begun to take their toll on the fossils.
Then, move on to Ao Luk District, a commercial center and new town divided into the two major sections of Ao Luk South and Ao Luk North. The majority of tourist attractions here are natural. From the intersection of Ao Luk North market, along the Ao Luk-Laem Sak Road, one arrives at Thanboke Khoranee National Park, an emerald-green pond set amidst a diverse species of trees. The pleasant forest makes a wonderful place for a stroll, given the presence of a small wooden bridge under the cool shade of the woods, the mild climate, especially the interior of the green pond, which is a rich, feeding ground.
From Thanboke Khoranee National Park, one comes upon the pier to catch the chartered long-tailed boat to Phee Hua Toe and Lowd Cave, a limestone mountain of unusual shape, plumb in the middle of the water. The boat can pass through the grotto where awaits beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.
Mangrove forests, providing fertile feeding grounds for monkeys, the floating fish farms, and the Phee Hua Toe Cave, are some of the attractions along the way. However, some 100 prehistoric murals on cave walls, depicting man, beasts, hands and feet, make for interesting reading. Particularly the depiction of men with animal heads, complete with horns in red horizontal motif, all over the cave ceiling that can be traced back over some two-three centuries. Delicious dishes of blanched conches and spicy shrimps, eaten in a pleasant environment, follow the short cave tour.
After a wholesome meal, it’s time to set off by road to the plantations of pine apples, rubber trees and palms, about hundreds of acres, before one bids farewell to Krabi, Thailand’s major gateway for tourists from around the world.
Regardless of how much change Krabi may have undergone, what remains intact is the charm of its beautiful beaches, its azure skies and clear water, as well as a pleasant ambience overall. More importantly, the cordial hospitality of the local residents leaves a lasting impression on the mind.
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