Krabi- It is all green, transparent and white!

Krabi is an archipelago of about 130 islands south of Thailand. It’s all you can soak up white sands, clear waters and greenery. 

Crystal clear water, Krabi, Thailand

The cliffs add beauty to the glassy waters as if they came up to the surface of the sea right then. 

Long tailed boats take you to these many islands. Koh Phi Phi islands, the most popular of them all. With a population as less than 50,000 most of them speak Thai and English.

We stayed at Aonang which is popularly called the Krabi town itself. Few minutes stroll on the effervescent streets we reach the Aonang beach from where all the boats leave to various islands.

The Aonang beach itself has its disparity when there is high tide when you can almost stretch your hands out to touch the emerald waters and in low tide mostly by evening you can see the underwater life plonked on the shore waiting for the next tide.

Jelly fish on the shore

I love beaches. I've lived all my adult life researching on best beach destinations of the world. Krabi tops the list of clear waters in different hues of green, blue and pure white beaches, corals and colourful fishes. 

Corals

Dusk at Aonang Beach

We reached Krabi by noon from Bangkok after days of shopping to two golden days of relaxation. 

View from the aircraft

Quite shocking to realise that a sandwich handed over to me saying it was chicken transformed into freezing cold fish sandwich. Otherwise pleasant Thai airlines weren’t quite pleasant on the domestic front.

The view from the aircraft was breathtaking as we could spot small islands dotted in deep blue sea and the coastal area lined by white waves lashing on the shore.

The tour operator promptly received us at the small dingy airport and briefed us on the small island. Special mention was to try the non vegetarian food at the island. 

Carved soaps

We reached Aonang Cliff beach resort which was a four star property 5 mins walk away from Aonang beach. We could see the beautiful cliff from the resort. Both sides of the tidy road was decorated by shops which sold aromatic oils, carved soaps, bikinis, beachwear, diving equipments, 24x7 stores which sold beverages, snack, toiletries, massage centres, restaurants and curios. 

View from the pool, Aonang Cliff beach Resort

Aonang Beach

 After a short nap we decided to walk around the streets. The music at the restaurants and beach facing cafes (mostly reggae) set the mood for us to walk in the humid small town of Aonang. The massage parlours listed the various massages offered and handed out brochures which looked like a replication of the same one everywhere.  

Aonang beach

Even restaurants had pictorial menus and prices listed. A person was prearranged to welcome each person walking on the street to come dine at the restaurants. A bikini offered at 500 baht can be bought at 300 baht. Enjoy the bargaining at Krabi and chit chat with the locals there. 

The next morning we had signed up for the four island tour which includes Phra Nang , Chicken island, Koh Tup and Poda island.

We were picked up in a buggy version of the tuk tuk by barracudas tours. At the beach we got into long tailed wooden boats. It was a task to go aboard these from hip deep ocean on to rusty ladder onto the boat. The sights were amazing with the color of the sea changing like nature’s chameleon. The cliffs of various shapes towering on either side made it feel like an illusion ride through a beautiful painting. 

Long tailed Boat

There is always an urge to click photos of the scenery on either side still we realise it's hours long beauty.

1)  We walked on the shore of the first island till one end which is a cave and adventure enthusiasts climbing cliffs. Rock climbing is an important sport in Krabi.Phra nang had a cave and a deity who was offered flowers. Young children made sand castles, couples in love kissed as waves shook them, many others basked in the sun. I walked hip deep in water. We sat under a tree enjoying the shade and absorbing the beautiful sight in hope that it never ends. 

Chicken island

2) We went to chicken Island with cliff bordering water resembles a chicken in crouching position. Here the boat would dock for us to do snorkelling. We could pick up our snorkelling equipments with mask and pipe attached to each and life jackets. I was almost engulfed in a huge life jacket. The first dip and I felt as if my body was sucked down into the currents. I panicked regardless of the fact that I could swim. I wore the mask and looked down to see curious coloured fishes swimming around my feet. The sea bed was far far away and I didn't want to let go of the ladder. My mother wanted to capture my snorkelling experience in water but I just didn't want to let go of my hands. 

I climbed back adjusting my gigantic life jackets to realise I had lost my breathing pipe of the equipment to the mermaid under the ocean. 

3)  Tuk island we had lunch. In a box of rice was served chicken and boiled veggies. We can on tree roots on the surface of sand as we gobbled up our lunch. I enjoyed my swim in cold water on warm sands. My nail polish scrapped on the corals and this was the best possible way of losing it. 

4)  Poda island was the fourth where we swam again changed into dry clothes and slept on the sands under shade. I had fresh watermelon to hydrate myself from all the salt around. 

As we came back to Aonang, I was 5 shades darker and my heart was 10 times pleased.

Choosing a good massage parlour and a restaurant will be the most difficult decisions of your lives for the options you are spoilt for choices. The funny part is that we can bargain even for food. 10 to 20 percent discount can be easily got for dining in at the shacks. 

Tom Yum soup with Shrimps

It is a must to try the spicy Tom yum soup and their fried fish with a gravy of your choice ranging from lemon grass, chilli, paprika and coriander. 

Steamed fish with chilli and coriander

Wine is sold by the glass at 90 baht and a variety of local beer like Singha and Chang can be bought. Fried rice served in pineapple is another common dish here. 

By the evening the beach withdraws to low tide and you can see a variety of sea animals on the shore like crabs, jelly fish etc . 

We got a whole body aromatic massage at new life spa for two hours and absolute bliss and a body as light as feather free from muscle knots and spasm.

Most clichéd as it may sound, Krabi deserves a second visit maybe some time when I find love.

How to reach there – We took a domestic flight from Bangkok by Thai airlines. Bangkok airline and Air Asia also connect BKK to KBR. There are direct flight from India to Krabi if relaxation is the only motto of your trip.

Things to do – Island hopping to see various landscapes, massages, rock climbing, Phi Phi Islands, snorkelling, kayaking

What to eat – Eat local food notably their steamed fish with a flavour of your choice – chilli, lemon, lemon grass, coriander

Sightseeing – Four island tour, Koh phi phi, Hot spings, emerald pool

What to pack - 

Diving equipments

Sun screen 

Swim wear and change of clothes as you may have to stay wet all day

An ocean pack (water proof backpack)

Water proof casing for your phone/camera as well

Things to Note  - 

·        Drink lots of water as the sea can be very dehydrating

·        Soak yourself in sunscreen

·        Take good care of your belongings

·        Bargain a lot

·        Check safety measures of all adventure sports before signing up for it