6 Days to Hadyai & Krabi, Thailand
25 - 30 Sep 2013
We took the KTM night train from KL Sentral to Hatyai leaving KL at 9:30pm and arriving Hatyai at around 12:30pm the next day.
The KTM sleeping coach was quite comfortable and the journey was smooth. The train fare is RM60 per person.
Day 2 (26th Sep 2013)
We arrived at the Padang Besar immigration centre at about 9am. The Malaysian and Thai immigration are located in the same building.
We stop at the Padang Besar immigration centre and waited for an hour for the locomotive from Bangkok to arrive to pick us up again. Only two KTM coaches enter into Hatyai. We arrived at Hatyai train station at about 12:30pm.
Upon arrival at Hatyai we checked into Sakura Hotel which we have booked online for about RM100 per night for a twin room. The hotel is about 10 minutes walk from the train station. We then went for lunch at Sizzler, which is well known for its buffet salad. Total bill for 6 persons comes to B1651. After lunch we booked our return van trip to Krabi for tomorrow for B70 each person. We then booked our hotel stay in Hatyai on the 29 Sep for B700 per room night. Thereafter, it was free and easy time in Hatyai
Day 3 (27th Sep 2013)
The van picked us up at Sakura Hotel at about 9am and we arrived at Ao-Nang beach at about 3:30pm.
We stopped at this R&R area on the way to Krabi
We checked into Ao-Nang Sunset Hotel and went out for our late lunch in the afternoon.
View of Ao-Nang beach from the Sunset Hotel
After lunch it was shopping time along the Ao-Nang Beach stalls
Ao-NangSunset Hotel is at a strategic location near the beach, restaurants and shopping district.
There are many such road side hawker stall near the hotel
Our dinner at the restaurant which is a short walk from Sunset Hotel
We had local Thai beer with our dinner.
Colorful fridge magnets
We booked our one day tour from one of the many tour companies along the beach. The company that we booked our tour is in charged by the Lady Boy on the right. The other two are his friends who are also Lady Boys. From their look you would think they are real ladies. Their real identity is revealed when they talk to you! Anyway, we had a friendly chat with them. The day tour cost as B600 per person. This is the off peak rate. Normal rate is double that.
Souvenirs shops along Ao-Nang beach
Ao-Nang beach front stalls at night. There are many tailor shops here that can sew a suit for you within 24 hours. Myself and my nephew made one suit each for B2100 per suit, which is about RM200. We were told to collect by 9pm tomorrow night
Day 4 (28th Sep 2013)
The tour van picked us up from the hotel for our day tour at 8:30am. Our first stop is the Hot Spring.
In the south of Krabi province in Klong Thom district (around 70km from town and near the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve), are nature’s own hot-tub Jacuzzis, The water here comes from thermal springs, originating deep underground in volcanic chambers. Located in the jungle, this site features naturally hollowed-out ‘bathtubs’ in the smooth stone, filled to the brim with fresh running spring water at a pleasant 35-40C.
The Hot Spring is located in a jungle setting and is about 1km walk from the main road
My wife and nephew Christopher
The walking path to the hot spring are lined up with bamboo trees
You can see the hot steam from the river water
The mineral salts contained in the hot spring water are said to ease a number of ailments, including rheumatism, sciatica and skin complaints. Although these medical claims are unproven, the effect of simply lazing in hot water up to your chin, watching the clouds go by, certainly has positive health benefits.
The water was quite hot but is bearable.
A visit to the Hot Springs would not be complete without a trip to the nearby ‘Crystal Pool’ in Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. Also known as Emerald Pool, this is an astonishingly hued natural pool found in a clearing after a short walk through the forest, that is filled with pure spring water – although at ambient temperature. Swimming is possible here.
Stream leading to Emerald Pool
My nephews Anthony and Christopher
Elephant ride is an optional tour that some of the people in our group took
After the visit to the Emerald Pool we went back to Krabi Town for our set lunch. The restaurant is also operated by the tour operator. After lunch we continue our visit to the Tiger Temple.
Out last stop for the day is the Tiger Cave Temple. Set in a beautiful forest, the temple is in fact a famous meditation centre. You can walk around the nature trail in the Khiriwong Valley, with its maze of caves, visit the main Tiger Cave and bell tower (the largest in southern Thailand) and, for those who are fit enough, climb the 1237 stairs to the mountain-top shrine for a view that will really leave you breathless. At the bottom of the mountain there is a temple that you can go inside. Apparently a tiger used to leave there hundreds of years ago.
This is the beginning of the steps to the mountain top. Unfortunately we were not fit physically to climb up to the top. The steps are uneven at some points and can be as high as one foot. You really need to hold on to the railing tightly. We managed to climb probably two third of the way before we descended down.
View of the temple at the bottom of the hill on the way up
We were at this point before we finally gave up.
Another view of the temple on the way down
Entrance to the temple at the foothill
This is probably one of the biggest gong in Thailand
After the tour the van driver took us back to restaurant in Krabi town where we had our lunch earlier. We left some of our belongings in restaurant and venture to the town centre on our own. We walked along the river bank to visit the famous landmark in Krabi town, which is a giant bronze crab.
The giant crab, which is the symbol of Krabi
After that we walked to the Krabi night market, which is opened from Friday to Sunday.
The unique traffic light in Krabi town that has a giant on top
A group of children playing traditional instruments in the night market to raise fund
Krabi night market, which sells mainly local delicacies and souvenirs
Krabi night market viewed from the restaurant where we had our dinner.
After dinner we walked back to the restaurant to take the tour van back to Ao-Nang beach for B500, which we have bargained earlier.
My suit was ready as promised by the shop keeper.
Day 5 (29th Sep 2013)
This morning we decided not to have breakfast at our hotel. We walked further down and had buffet breakfast at Timber House Hotel for B200 each. After breakfast we walked along Ao-Nang beach before we checked out from the Sunset Hotel hotel and depart for Hatyai at 10am.
We arrived at Hatyai at 4pm and checked into Ocean Shopping Town and Residence. We then walked to Kim Yong market to buy cashew nuts and other tidbits.
Day 6 (30th Sep 2013)
We had breakfast at Kim Yong market and then checked out at 9:15an. We then walked to the bus station to board our bus back to Kl. Arriving KL at 8:30pm.
Kim Yong market
One of many vendors at Kim Yong market
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