Have you explored Krabi Islands so far?
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| Krabi |
Perched in Southern Thailand, the Krabi Province is
located on the coast of the Andaman Sea. This magical island boasts of its rich
with flora fauna that make Krabi one of the most sought after destinations, especially
by those who are looking out for romantic getaways. With over 154 small and big
islands in its ambit, the sparkling blue and green waters of Krabi are
also famous for activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, rock
climbing, and jungle treks.
Located at a distance of 7-hour flight, Krabi is well
connected with air links from Bangkok and Singapore. So if you are a
business or leisure traveler to Singapore or Bangkok, a visit to
Krabi will only be a good idea.
KRABI BEACHES AND
ISLANDS
Towering limestone cliffs, soft white sand beaches, small
coves and offshore islands. Krabi's beautiful coastline is one of the
province's most attractive assets. Each each seems to outdo the last, with the
crowning glory being fabulous Railay Beach with its other worldly feel, a sort of
coastal Jurassic Park, accessible only by sea. But the best thing about Krabi's
beaches is that they're never crowded. You'll always find a patch of
paradisaical space for yourself here.
Famous beaches of
Karabi
Ao Nang Beach- Ao Nang is Krabi's vibrant tourist centre. It
has the relaxed atmosphere of a small town, the beauty of a beach resort, the
modern comforts of home, and the friendliness that sets Thailand apart.
Nopparat Thara Beach- Quiet and shady, lined with swaying
casuarina trees, Nopparat Thara is a popular weekend getaway with locals and
visitors.
Railay Beach- The very essence of a tropical paradise; cut
off from the rest of the mainland with no roads and no hassle. Railey's beaches
offer lazy days, adventure forays and chilled-out evenings.
KLONG MUANG BEACH
if you want a peaceful retreat Klong Muang is the place for you. Krabi's
latest beach destination, Muang Klong is the preferred location of Krabi's
five-star and boutique hotels like the Sheraton Krabi Resort, and the Sofitel
Krabi Phokeethra.
Tubkaak Beach
A little further north than Klong Muang, here you'll find
total peace and quiet surrounded by jungle backdrops with Koh Hong and
neighbouring islands in front of the beach.
No trip to Southern Thailand is complete without visiting
the Phi Phi Islands which are surrounded by crystal clear seas and coral reefs.
Just south west of Krabi coastline lie the stunning Phi Phi
Islands, part of a marine national park that's one of the world's most
unforgettable destinations. Phi Phi Don, the larger island, offers sheer
limestone cliffs, fine sand beaches and hidden coves. Not far away, coral
gardens and deeper reefs are sensational for diving and snorkeling. There are
no cars on Phi Phi, just simple small tracks that crisscross the island, so
getting around is easy – simply take a local longtail boat, or walk.
Smaller Phi Phi Leh is uninhabited and made up of steep
limestone cliffs rising sheer out of the turquoise waters. It also features
caves and small rocky coves. There are several bays ideal for shallow
snorkeling, and on the northeast side, the famous Viking Cave, containing what
are claimed to be prehistoric paintings. Phi Phi Leh is also a popular site for
nesting swifts, and workers collect the nests used to make the lucrative bird's
nest soup, a much-valued Chinese gourmet delicacy. Day trips to Phi Phi are
easily available from Phuket and Krabi and offer snorkeling at Phi Phi Leh. If
you are already on Phi Phi Don, it's possible to hire a local boat or join a
tour to visit Phi Phi Leh.
What to Wear in Krabi
make sure it’s short and light. Krabi is extremely humid and stuffy. Thus, a
short pant and shirt will be sufficient.
Beach wear is definitely needed. Bikini, sun glasses,
singlet, hat and short pants are the most suitable gear to wear for the girls.
Things to eat in
Krabi
Krabi is famous for its local cuisine. The place is a Mecca
for sea food & thai food lovers. But beyond this you need to try its pancake.
There are a few flavors you can find there such as chocolate, bananas, peanuts,
apples and etc...
Chang beer and Singha beer are the local beer brand. Its a
must to try. Personally, I love Singha more than Chang because it tastes
smoother. If I'm not mistaken, they're only 45 baht each.
Other than the local phad thai, the small stalls that you
can find by the road side sell a huge variety of food.
While the highlight of Krabi can be easily mentioned as the
bazaar area where they even sell some Indian food and trust us, it is as good
as any dhaba in Punjab.
Krabi is known for the famous Thai massages. You can get a
very good Thai massage, head and shoulder massage, foot massage and facial
massage with a very cheap price in Krabi. A Thai massage for example only cost
25 baht per hour.
Toot toot is the main transporting vehicle in Krabi
like any other places found in Thailand. I find toot toot in Krabi is more
interesting because firstly, they are colorful and secondly, each of these toot
toot will have their own power speaker and they play modern hip-hop songs when
they travel around. It costs 40 baht per ride per person. Of course you can
bargain for a cheaper price if you have a big group traveling together.
Another big hit amongst most tourists here is the jungle
safari which includes the elephant ride.
Krabi Town
Krabi Town is a market Thai town. The river is a hub of activity with fishing
boats and river taxis ferrying both locals and visitors to spots near and far
and the pier to the west of town is the place to catch a ride to the
surrounding beaches and islands. Many visitors hurry to the big name
destinations - Railay, Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi - getting in and out of
town as quickly as possible. But for those interested in a dose of genuine Thai
culture and hospitality, sticking around Krabi Town is a rewarding experience.
The bar scene in Krabi is fairly relaxed, reflecting the
easy-going southern beach culture. Nicely lit, bamboo beach bars are the most
common place to hang out in, with plenty of cushions, pavilions and even
hammocks to ensure you won't leave again in a hurry. A few tunes, the sound of
the waves and a view of the stars is all you have in the way of entertainment;
although some Krabi bars will put on fireshows or live music in the peak
season.
For a more energetic and active nightlife, you need to make
a trip to Phi Phi Island. If you're the kind of person who enjoys guzzling
'buckets' of local whisky and Red Bull and falling over on the dance floor, you
will be in your element here. Phi Phi - where this sophisticated cocktail was
invented - holds nightly parties in super-sized beach bars, as well as in clubs
in the village. DJs; fireshows; magicians; Thai boxing; and ladyboy cabarets:
nothing is spared in the quest to entertain the tourists.
Here, bars can stay open all night - there are no police on
the island; elsewhere, most bars shut, in theory anyway, at 1am. In practice,
most beach bars and other tourist nightspots are rarely forced to close - so if
they have customers, they will continue to serve them.
There are no real go go bars in Krabi you will need to go to
Bangkok, Phuket or Pattaya! Go-go bars, with shows and scantily-dressed dancers
do not exist; female company can be found rather in Thai karaoke bars or
regular bar beers.
Some of the happening nightlife happens at Ao Nang /
Nopparattara Beach, Railay Bay, Phi Phi Island, Koh Lanta
"If you love vacationing at beach destinations,
then one thing that you can pick from Krabi are the ocean bags; these are like
a good one to two liter capacity bags that can be folded when not in use. One
can also indulge in trinkets that you spot in the bazaar and also buy artifacts
like the frog that crocks exactly like a frog when patted on the back."
Fabrics & Textiles
Brilliant colors and distinctive designs have made Krabi's
batik cloth famous among tourists. Inspired by the natural surroundings, the
sea and marine life, they are hand crafted piece by piece. Batik shirts,
sarongs, skirts, bags and handkerchiefs are also popular souvenirs, You can see
them being produced in the Ban Na Tin community center, on the way from Klong
Haeng to Klong Muang.
Clothing Thailand is one of the world's leading
manufacturers of ready-to-wear clothing. Fashion boutiques are found in every
shopping mall, while cheaper clothing such as T-shirts and jeans are available
at bargain prices from street vendors and stores alike. Custom tailoring is
also very affordable and tailors can produce most styles promptly. Then of
course there are the 'designer label' copies, that frustrate the designers
themselves but are a dream come true for many bargain hunters.
Silk Probably the most famous of all the kingdom's handicrafts, Thai silk is
available in a range of colors, patterns and plys. It is sold by the yard or as
ready-made clothing and souvenir items. A unique style of Thai silk is Mat Mee,
a tie-dye silk traditional to the North-East.
Gemstones
Coloured gemstones such as rubies and sapphires are readily
available. Many other varieties of coloured stones can be found here as well.
Handicrafts
Nielloware Practiced in southern Thailand for hundreds of
years nielloware is the craft of decorating gold and silver objects with
delicate etched designs filled with a metal inlay. Nielloware trays, boxes,
vases and other items are often strikingly beautiful and because they are
created from precious metals can be of great value. They are excellent examples
of souvenirs unique to southern Thailand.
Seashells: Seashell products rank among top-five most
purchased souvenirs. They are made into ornaments and gift items including
necklaces, rings, bracelets, brooches, mobiles, lampshades, photo frames, etc.
The best places to buy them is at the Susaan Hoi, or Fossil Shell area, but
there are selling stalls also in the vicinity of the Tha Pom entrance, in the
Ao Thalane area.
Thousands of products, both contemporary and traditional are
on offer, made from bamboo, cane, silk, wood, paper, ceramic etc. From things
for the house, to bags and jewellry, all make great gifts, as well as unusual
souvenirs of your trip.
To guarantee quality as well as support local cottage
industries and traditional Thai craftsmen and women, always try to buy from
genuine handicrafts shops, rather than those selling a generic range of ‘Thai’
products - many of which actually come from Indonesia or Nepal.
It is also possible to visit workshops directly under the
government's 'One Tambon, One Product' scheme. In Klong Haeng, there are
centres for coconut shell products and batik work and in Ban Khao Klom, a
women's co-operative produces handmade paper objects from the leaves of
pineapple plants.
Where to Shop?
Ao Nang / Nopparattara Beach, Lanta Island (Koh Lanta), Railay
Bay, Krabi Town, Phi Phi Island
Getting there
there are no direct flights. Preferably take the Bangkok connecting flight so
that you can shop at Bangkok as well.
The Best Time to
Visit
The best time to visit Krabi is between the months November
to April when the area's climate is less hot than usual. During this period the
island gets a lot of dry winds, so giving dry blue skies and starry nights.
Then, down on the beaches one can enjoy nice sea breezes. From June to November
the area gets a lot of rainfall, more on average than the rest of the
country. During this period the island gets a lot of moist winds, so giving a
mixture of dry days and wet ones. The sea stays at a warm 29°C all year round.
Visitors however, coming in this period will find it cheaper.
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