It is nostalgic to write this blog, as my stepping stone, the first blog was for and from this country.. Thailand. The name of the blog too was inspired by this place...
Known for wrong reasons by the human race, Indians more, to be precise enough, this country is one of the most beautiful, safest, tourist friendly and light on your pocket too. 'World is my playground' followed by 'My Thai' and "under water sea bed" walk were the initial startup three blogs I had posted..
With my yearning to travel, thus on several travel portals I started my soul searching, exploration mode of another sort.. Turkey couldn't somehow manifest, then came Bali, Kashmir etc. etc.. finally instinctively I got inclined again to this place.
http://triknitty.blogspot.in/2016/07/pattaya-diaries.html
Travel tip: to write in, in the beginning of article itself!! The place is extremely easy to travel, you can block your rooms online, book tickets, land in, prepaid cabs are easily available at the airport. In major cities every 200 meters there are travel desks/ kiosks which offer sight seeing options giving pick up and drop from the hotel. You will end up saving a lot, use that for private transport or upgrading your hotel.
Going Solo again that too to Thai; my second Solo Thai trip, an amazing exciting experience which I was looking forward to.. with even more confidence and exhilaration. I am thrusting on the fact 'Solo' as many trips I have done, could be work or leisure, but Thailand as a country itself, I was getting weird feedbacks...
This time I opted for Phuket and Krabi with island excursions as the major highlight of the trip. Phuket and Krabi fall on the same coastline.. Andaman Sea in this eastern part of Thailand holds more than a hundred islands and being in Bay, the sea is not to rough, hence safe for adventure. One can also choose either of the towns if not both, Krabi I will give preference to stay at.. four nights minimum. This will also again save lot of your time and money. As the island trips overlap.
Day 1: Take Thai Lion flight, Mumbai - Bangkok - Phuket (a budget airline with minimal in-flight service)
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| Food Court at Bangkok Airport - 4th Floor |
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| Chicken Steak with Japanese Sticky rice |
In Phuket, Kalim and Patong are the main beaches which form the heartland with myriad options of hotels, spa, pubs, night clubs with live music and various street food options to chose from.. Patong is the most popular and safest beach front because the coastal line is U shaped giving it a bay like formation, furthermore, the depth of water remains low at large distances too..
Day 2:
Phi Phi island trip: An early morning takeoff wherein you have to leave the hotel by 8 am. One can opt for Pier or speedboats. The limitation with the pier is that the passengers cannot get off to the smaller islands due to restrictions in anchoring.. however, while going around one can spot small patches of beaches, rocky caves and different landscapes all together. Tail boats do take you upto the beaches for those who are enthusiastic and more adventurous, of course, you also need to spare more time for it. Within close vicinity of the island, the boat halts for those who wish to snorkel and gaze under the ocean for a beautiful colorful different world altogether. Later we headed on to the island.. after having lunch at Princess Resort and spending some time on the Charlie beach, we reached back to Phuket.
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| Float with life jackets or snorkel, choice is yours.. |
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| Speed boats zooming by.. |
Evenings are recommended to take a walk on the beach road and explore on gastronomical delights.. ranging from freshly made fruit pancakes, handmade ice-creams, ice-cream waffles, seafood, fruit smoothies, cocktails, and mocktails. Various bars offer happy hours discounts on drinks during daytime. Indian restaurants are also found in plenty.
Tip: Pick up a hot coffee and cake or sandwich from departmental stores like Seven11 or Family mart which will help you save some currency and fill your tummy as well.
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| Waffle Ice cream |
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| Umpteen eateries and cocktail wagons on Patong Beach |
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| Pubs and Restaurants with Live Bands |
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| Waffle and Dragon Fruit Ice Cream with Pineapple.. choose ur fruits!! |
Day 3:
Other excursions in which the families generally go in for are: FantaSea Show, another highlight of the Thai capital, Dolphin show also one can opt for whereas Buddha Temple is a part of city tour. Elephant rides are also available in the half day sight seeing excursions; but depends upon inclination, as India is full of such rides..it is advisable to save your day and rather see FantaSEA.
The tour operators also line up a visit to Gem Factory, Cashew nut outlet and Honey bee farms.
The tour operators also line up a visit to Gem Factory, Cashew nut outlet and Honey bee farms.
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| Non Stinging Bees |
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| Cashew Factory |
Krabi: From Phuket to Krabi, by road it takes approximately 2.5 hours and by sea route i.e speed boat it is only one hour ride.
Day 4:
Krabi is a quaint little beautiful small town with pristine beaches lining the coastline and natural beauty is there in bounty.
Four Island tour is a major attraction again where a group is taken on large-sized motor boats or speedboats. The islands have serene beaches, azure waters... a great family get- away, the beaches especially like I mentioned earlier are pretty safe, with waist deep water only at stretches, cause of clusters of islands. Do not forget to carry your swimming glasses, which will enable you take a sneak peek into the colorful world, as one can easily spot fishes... some glass like transparent also, you need to concentrate for this as they are quite rare ones.
Carry your life jackets, those given in the boat, so even more safely you can get to float on turquoise waters. Chicken, Poda, Tub and Mor are the names of four islands. Apart from snorkeling, swimming, mountain climbing etc. There are cave temples also, one such is dedicated to a Pirate Princess is Phra Nang and is famous worldwide.
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| Princess Temple |
Tip: Don't forget to carry an extra pair of shorts or clothes and some munchies. the regular tours offer half day excursion with lunch; however the enthusiasts can extend it to a full day or a charter trip by paying a higher price.
The range begins from B 450/- https://krabitrek.com/tours/tour_krabi_4island_boat_trips.php is a very useful website for details and there a plenty of kiosks on busy streets to assist you for bookings. ( if not, get it booked by the agent)
Day 5:
Hot Spring and Emrald Pool- Blue pool, both of these are inland naturally made environmental wonders. Taking off at 8am again where the pickup from the hotel is given by local tour operators.
Hot water spring is a natural waterfall with clean and hot water carrying sufficient minerals which are believed to have therapeutic properties, there are many small pools or naturally corroded rock hollows where you can just sit, soak and relax; those who wish to swim can take a plunge in the river just a few meters ahead where the same waters merges and changes its form. About an hour's time is given which is good enough to explore...
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| Hot water spring |
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| Way to emerald pool |
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| Emerald Pool |
Emerald and Blue Pool are another natural pools formed deep into the forest. Just about a kilometer trek through tropical rain-forest jungles, silently speaking their own beautiful language of co-existence, sunlight peeping in from dense cover of arms of trees, mineral rich water feeding the roots, pure air flowing through, birds chirping and finding their own way.. Nature teaches you the best lessons.. after the beautiful trek on a wooden bridge made throughout for tourists, you arrive at the pool, green in color which is imparted by the natural algae. Since its a natural rocky bowl, the entire space is quite slippery hence one has to be steady and strong-footed, tread carefully enough to avoid any injury.
Further ahead, which only a few tourists opt to venture out (as they get busy swimming in the emerald pool itself).. you have to walk, which I just went ahead on bare footed. This was one of the most memorable, a lifetime experience for me.. as I was surrounded by only my own company and silence; touching the rocks underneath, soft soil, huge roots demonstrating their strength and age, not a single prick did I get was the most amazing fact on love of nature!! Keep walking the path and then you witness a silently lying, tranquil and still water body reflecting pure sky blue colour, with no sky on top.. amidst the trees in the silent forest, this is an absolute natural formation, of water that seeps in from around and underground and further overflows into a gurgling river going down, feeding the Emerald pool.. spending some time, gazing the wonderful natural wonder.. just taking deep breaths, filling myself and merging into that magnificence, capturing the beauty in my eyes, soak my soul (as physical dip is restricted) and carry back priceless moments. I could not capture any pictures as left my bag, footwear and everything besides Emerald pool and just walked!!!
The beachside is lined up with shops cafes and eateries to spend time or buy knick-knacks too.. there are safe massage parlors.
The beachside is lined up with shops cafes and eateries to spend time or buy knick-knacks too.. there are safe massage parlors.
At times for the most memorable moments, you do not really have a cam to capture, God gifted lenses are good enough!!
And sharing those in black and white through the same lens...
Happy Reading!!
Happy Reading!!
Places to stay:
Ramada in Phuket
7Q Hotel in Phuket
Deewana Krabi Resort, Ao Nang Beach
Ao Nang Paradise in Krabi has a series of hotels/ Resorts dotted as per your budget.
Ramada in Phuket
7Q Hotel in Phuket
Deewana Krabi Resort, Ao Nang Beach
Ao Nang Paradise in Krabi has a series of hotels/ Resorts dotted as per your budget.
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