Yes it is true that this trip is absolutely unplanned. As per mentioned in the title, this blogpost is featuring Norita Ibrahim my house-mate/my sister/my colleague/my eat-mate and my gemuks-mate. She is the main contributor of my gemukness and not my food.
Alright I've gone too far yes of course you are sourcing for Krabi and that is why you landed here. So here are the tips and proposed itinerary:: Enjoyy!
Step 1:
Check out weather forecast. Pick a date. Book your ticket thru AirAsia. You have 2 choices of early morning and afternoon. (tertakluk kepada terma & syarat) Price range RM180 - RM380 (year 2013, return ticket). Travelling time: 1hour 20mins from KL.
or
Book your ticket at KTM if you are travelling by train. KL-Padang Besar-(tukar kepala)-Hadyai. From Hadyai you may take bus or taxi service to Krabi Town. Price range RM1xx (year 2013, return). Travelling time : 13hours ++ from KL.
or
Drive. Highest cost I tell you. Fuel, mileage(maintenance),energy. Travelling time: 10 - 12hours ++ from KL.
Your choice buddy.
Step 2:
Book your hotel. Most recommended websites are
www.booking.com and
www.asiarooms.com. Price range RM70 - RM150 per night. If you are rich, then you can skip step 2. Just walk in. Most happening place is AoNang. Second is Noppharat Thara. Third is Khlong Muang where Sheraton is. I recommend AoNang / Noppharat. (Srisuksant, HolidayInn, BestWestern, AoNang Sunset, etc)
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Noppharat Thara Beach - low tide |
Step 3:
Pack your backpack. Proposed compulsory equipment: non-expired passport, swimming trunk, polarized sunglasses, sunblock with SPF100++(you'll regret if you don't), easy to dry slipper, travel adapter/powerbank, dslr and a hat.
Step 4:
Buy Thai Baht. I bought RM600=THB5,700++. (100baht=RM10.50). Some says better change in Krabi. Don't get it wrong. I change RM150 there and got only THB1,300++ (100baht=RM11.54). Do the math.
Step 5:
Check in your flight one day early. Print your boarding pass at home or at AirAsia kiosk (beside Marrybrown). You may enter the gate between boarding time - departure time. At least 20mins before departure instead of 1 hour early for check in.
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Noppharat Beach-while waiting for speed boat |
Step 6:
Fly highhhh~~ Once you arrived at airport, pick your transport. There are counters just at the exit of international arrival. Taxi = 600baht/RM60. Bus = 150baht/RM15. I recommend bus for real backpackers. The bus will send you to your hotel lobby. Everyone. One by one. The driver will ask 'Where you stay?' before you board the bus. He'll take note and send everybody. With this, you may compare hotel to hotel for your next vacation maybe. Airport to AoNang = 45mins by bus.
Step 7:
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Our ride in AoNang |
Decide how you'll move around. If you are in group, better take taxi/van. You may go to AoNang seasides to book where I think offered the most reasonable price. You just walk the aisle and choose your tourist information shop. There's a bunch. If you are in small group, you may take Tuk-Tuk. Price is 700baht I think. But.....If you are travelling alone/couple, mostly recommend to rent a bike. 200baht/day=RM20. You may go anywhere you want to go just like I did. I went to Khlong Muang, a beach I hardly recall the name but a lovely apartment is build there (The Pelican), and move around AoNang from cliff to sea a few times a day, and Noppharat Thara is where I stayed (very close to jetty-Phi Phi Island). and I did all of these in 2 days with a SinChan motorbike! Really happy! But you must leave your passport (it's a procedure) and you don't have to worry because they'll provide you a receipt which you can rely on if anything happen.
Step 8:
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Long tail boat at Maya Bay |
You can move around AoNang/Noppharat (at Jetty) to survey the best price offered for island hopping, trip to PhiPhi Island, Hong Island,etc. Just check out as many as possible the tourist information kiosk, bargain and made up your mind. While survey for trip, you can do shopping as well. Price for island hopping is 700baht. Phi-phi island 900baht-1000baht. Hong island 1000baht. I recommend Phi Phi Island with AoNang Speed Boat Tour or Barracudas Tour. If you are a hardcore, you may take the long tail boat. Else, please take the speed boat.
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Angry Bird-our tourist guide to PhiPhi Island |
Step 9:
Please go try the massage. Very the cheap the best the syokkk habiissss. RM20/hour for Thai massage. Full body hokey? Aromatherapy RM40/hour. Tertido2 kau.
Step 10:
Food? Halal food is everywhere. Non-halal also everywhere. Breakfast can be found along the beach ade gerai2 pagi makcik2 jual. Lunch at cliff view area McDonald, Starbuck, Subway there's a lot of halal restaurant. Dinner you may try Bamboo, Lemon and ChaDa which offers seafood & thai food. Also near to cliff side & McDonald as well.
Eat pancake until you muntah too. Very delicious. Pancake stall can be found along the way between AoNang road to Noppharat Thara. Ade macam bukit skit kat area tu. Betul2 depan Best Western hotel. Recommended Pancake Rotee Yaminlah.
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Peanut butter choc-cheese banana-cashew choc-banana nutella |
Step 11:
Go to Phi Phi. This is a must do. Once you book your ticket, they will pick you up at your hotel and bring you to Noppharat Thara to naik speed boat. Hoyeah hoyeahhh. Balik pun dorg anto don't worry lah.
Step 12:
Book your airport transport for your return. Jangan tak nak balik pulok. Taxi 500baht. Bas pagi2 tak dok.
Step 13:
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Maya Bay - stunning |
Go shopping. I shopping sampai tertonggeng. I love Krabi T-shirt range from 120-150baht. Please bargain everything you want to buy.
Step 14:
Return kunci hotel. Bayar. Balik. X reti2 nak balik ke.
Conclusion:
1. Avoid rainy season. (August-November)
2. Eat pancake
3. Go massage
4. Go Phi-Phi Island & Maya Bay
5. Eat lobster & tom yam
6. Language : Thai, English, Malay
7. Rent a motorbike
8. Go down Aonang street at night and join Cabaret Show if you can.
9. Go to Krabi Night Market if you have extra time
10. Shop a lot.
Till next time. Bye!