LUST for LIFE

OK…here’s the first of my postings on our holiday in Thailand during the Lunar New Year festive period. Our destinations were Krabi and Patong.

Left for Krabi on Chinese New Year’s eve (Feb 6) by Air Asia, which flies daily (except on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) to this southern provincial town. The 1hr 15min flight departed from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at 1205 hrs. My sister Angie had requested (Ms) Atchara, the charming owner of @KrabiPura Guesthouse, to arrange for a van to fetch us from the airport. The tour company charged us (group of 7) 650 Baht for the 15km trip to Krabi town.

BTW Krabi Town is about a 2-hour drive from Phuket Island. Despite being a major tourist destination, Krabi is more laid back, retaining much of its pristine charm. Situated near the estuary of Krabi River that flows into the Andaman Sea, the town is a better option for leisure recreation than the neighbouring Phuket. Most tourists who land in Krabi will head for Ao Nang, the coastal happening town and the main departure point for boats going to the nearby offshore islands. Will blog about Ao Nang later, which is a 15 to 20-minute drive from Krabi.

The first thing after we had checked into @Krabi Pura was to look for a makan place. This is what I ate for lunch - Pad Thai - juice down with cool pandan coconut drink.

This is taken along Uttharakit Road. Our lodging house is located a few blocks from this point. It looks rather sedate.

A bus load of tourists with their backpacks stacked at the back, heading to Ao Nang in songthaew, which is a converted pick-up truck. The fare is 40 Baht per pax.

A unique traffic light - one of 4 at this junction - statue of an ancient man holding 2 traffic light boxes. (Canon 350D: F/9; 1/125 sec; ISO 100).

A closer view of the Manut Boram.

Fancy having your meals sitting on floor mats along a 5-foot way? The stall owner has set up a big screen to show Thai movies. (Canon 350D: F/4; 1/6 sec; ISO 1600)

While in Krabi. we didn’t visit any Buddhist temples as they are located some distance away from the town. However, there is a beautiful temple being built at the fringe of the town centre. Came across these young barefooted novice monks making their morning round to collect food from devotees. Buddhists believe that giving food to monks is a way to gain merits. Most Thai men (lay persons) will spend about 3 months in a Thai monastery to experience life as monks. (Canon 350D: F/5.6; 1/60 sec; ISO 100)

Maharaj Market offers a potpourri of colours and activities.
(Canon 350D: F/4.5; 1/30 sec; ISO 800)

Spice Girls…spices are key ingredients in Thai cooking. (Canon 350D: F/5; 1/50 sec; ISO 400)