Thailand | Wet Krabi – Oh well!

Day 1 – Raining Krabi

This was a very last minute trip – I bought the ticket the day before! Thanks to AirAsia cheap flights and my Enrich mile points I was able to get my return tickets for RM500! It was a bit costly but it was worth it for a long weekend getaway. To top that up I was having a Groupon voucher for a 3D2N stay at the Emerald Garden Resort for two which includes breakfast and an island trip for only RM298.00!

Being typical me, I was slightly late and I have to take the ERL to KLIA2 and spend RM38.00! Tips: Taking the bus to KLIA is only RM10.00 and all bus departs every half an hour from KL Sentral. First shuttle will be as early as 0300H and the last shuttle is at 0100H. I was supposed to be on the AK860 1630H flight but the flight was slightly delayed! So, I ended up early at the airport.

Early at the airport due to the delayed flight 

The flight to Krabi was only 1 ½ hours and I arrived Krabi at 1740H local time (Thailand is one hour behind). The weather was very disappointing – it was raining and wet everywhere. This is not what I have imagined Krabi to be. Tips: The best months to visit Krabi will be from November till April and the wettest months will be September till October. Basically, I visited Krabi at the wrong time.

Krabi from mid-air

The hotel had arranged for an airport pick-up for me and when I got into the car the driver informed me that I will not be staying at Emerald Garden Hotel because it was under renovation and instead there are putting me at Mecure Hotels Krabi Deevana. Honestly, I was shocked and stunned. I was telling myself first the rain then the hotel and what is next? My trip was about to be a disaster!

Traffic and rain. What more to ask?

Mecure Hotels Krabi Deevana was located at Ao Nang which is around 45 minutes from the airport. The hotel looked very fancy and exclusive. Check out the pictures below! Later that evening I went to the lobby to enquire on touristy activities and to confirm my island hoping trip for the next day. Nothing much I can do as it was raining the whole entire time. The hotel was kind enough to provide their guests with an umbrella and I walked towards the main road to have an evening walk along Ao Nang Beach. It was only a 5 minutes’ walk from the hotel. There were many shops selling souvenirs and beach attires. Although it was the low season, there were still many tourists. Besides that, there were many food outlets and tour agencies along the way.

The reception 

The welcoming drink 

My room with a king-sized bed all for myself!!

The balcony from the room 

Check out the toilet 

Ensuite toilet 

The signage at night 

The pool at night

On my way to Ao Nang Beach

Shops along Ao Nang Beach

After almost 2 hours, walking under the drizzling rain I decided to have dinner at Rakan Halal Food. This was a hawker stall which is just a 2 minutes’ walk from the hotel. I had chicken tom yam, som tam, boiled rice and a mango shake. To be honest the price was rather overpriced (THB200) and there wasn't any WOW factor.

At the Rakan Halal Food stall for dinner

Later that night I went for a Thai massage at Lucky Massage which is just opposite the hotel. There were many options here in Krabi for those massage fan ranging from THB200 to THB1000 but I cannot be bothered due to the weather. I tried two types of massage (full body and foot) which is only THB450!

Day 2 – Rain, rain and rain!

I woke up early for the hotel’s breakfast buffet. There was nothing great about the breakfast just the normal continental breakfast. Weather: RAINING! The island hopping trip was cancelled due to the weather. Apparently, all the longboats were not able to get out to sea. JUST GREAT! I inquired the hotel management for other options and they offered me a dinner set meal. It was a total disappointment.

Breakfast

After almost 2 hours of heavy downpour, the rain stopped. I quickly seized the opportunity and walked my way to Ao Nang Beach. It was the gloomiest walk ever! Strong wave hits the shore but I bet it looks very pretty during a hot summer day. After almost an hour walking the beach, it rained heavily. I have to seek sheltered at a shack for almost 1 ½ hours.

Just too gloomy

Dark clouds, strong wind and waves

Me trying to enjoy the beach 

The heavy rain 

I spend half of my afternoon doing some light shopping and having coffee at Movenpick - a small little cafe situated along Ao Nang. I had a cappuccino and a red velvet cake for THB165. The coffee was affordable and it tasted better than Starbucks. Tips: McDonald's and Starbucks are really expensive here in Thailand. A meal set ranges from 160 - 220 THB.

Sawadeekrap 

Cappuccino and red velvet for a wet cold afternoon 

On the very first day, I was in KBV the first thing that caught my eye was the tied dye T-shirt. I spend the whole afternoon looking for the most attractive and of course the cheapest T-shirt I could find. I found a shop with a ladyboy named Kit and she gave me a rainbow coloured tie-dyed for THB300. It was still raining and I chatted with her for a bit.

I spend my remaining afternoon slumbering in the room and enjoying life.  It was raining the whole afternoon and at around 1700H I visited Argus fitness for some track running, weights and floor workout. I also went to the pool for a swim - yup under the rain!

Argus Fitness Centre

Later that night, I walked along Ao Nang beach just enjoying my last night in Krabi. The rain finally stopped and I was fortunate to see the strong wave of the Andaman Sea. I managed to get a pretty fair deal for another tied dye T for only THB200 and a singlet for my sister and another printed T both for only THB350.

Street food

Strong wave at the beach 

My shopping haul for the day

Back at the hotel, I went for my Thai Dinner Set Meal. I opted for the Southern Thai Set Menu 2 which includes spicy freshwater fern with squid, sour curry with fish fillet & top of coconut in southern style, deep-fried beef with salt, chicken soup with turmeric and steamed rice. Overall it was okay. I ended the night with another foot massage and manicure at the same massage parlour.

Lucky Massage 

Self-pampering 

With the owner, the masseur and the manicurist 

Day 3 - Shuttle bus and business class

On my last day, the sun was out! This trip was obviously not on my site. After breakfast and an early morning walk along the beach, I arranged for a tuk-tuk pick-up to catch an airport shuttle bus. Tips: This is a very cheap alternative to the airport for THB60.  I was scheduled on the MH771 1250H flight bound for KUL. I was given a VIP treatment for my business class seat thanks to my Enrich points at Krabi Airport. In my years of budget travelling, I have never been on a business class seat. That was really a great experience.

The airport shuttle bus 

This is how it feels to fly on business class seats 

Bliss

On my MH771 flight bound to KUL 

In a nutshell, this trip has its cons more than its pros. I did not really do any touristy activities primarily because of the weather. However, I believed there is always a next time and I am definitely still putting Krabi in my checklist!