This time it's another budget trip for me... to KRABI! In case you wanna know, I spend less than RM1000 for my trip! So, it's quite affordable for a university student like me to have a couple of off days for vacation. In case you wanna know about some saving tips, CONTINUE READING.
Air Ticket
I actually bought a more expensive air ticket than during cheap rates. My air ticket was RM300 per person. So, actually during Air Asia FREE SEATS, you could get much cheaper air ticket like about RM100+ only. Well, if you got it cheaper, then your spending will surely be lesser.
Krabi itself have its own airport, so, basically it's quite easy to get there too.
Transportation
Being a tourist area, Krabi transportation system was considered quite good. We can easily find Taxi, Buses, Tuk Tuk, or even rent a car or motorbike at almost every corner of Krabi.
Krabi Airport is located on the main highway Route 4,
approximately 9km from Krabi Town centre; 27km from Ao Nang Beach and 70km from
Koh Lanta. Therefore, it takes about 15 minutes to reach to Krabi Town and about 45 minutes to reach Ao Nang Beach by car from the Airport.
Before going there, I heard that there were buses going to Ao Nang (Yes, I stayed at Ao Nang) for 150 baht per person. But from the reviews, some said that it will take longer time and will be a little more exhausted. Besides, you have to wait for the bus to come (it's on schedule). So, once I get out from there, I saw that there were Taxi and Buses booth nearby the exit. So, we went to compare the prices.
Buses to Ao Nang: 150 Baht per person (non-express)
Taxi: 600 Baht for a car (max of 4 person)
Duration: 45 Minutes
Taxi to Krabi Town: 400 Baht for a car (max of 4 person)
Duration: 15 Minutes
So, looking at these prices, if you are travelling in a group, taking the taxi is the best choice. However, if there are only 2 of you, I would suggest that you ask other couples to "share" the taxi fare with you. I've ask them, they don't mind fetching people to 2 different destinations, as long as both the hotels are in the same area. Moreover, getting a Taxi saves you more time! It is NOT necessary to get a hotel pick up, because it would certainly be much more expensive (some like around 1000 Baht) AND Krabi is so small, almost all drivers are familiar with where each of the hotel is located.
Accommodation
Similar like any other islands, basically, people like to stay either near the sea or the town. There were basically 2 most popular place to stay in Krabi - Ao Nang and Krabi Town.
Ao-Nang: Beach area, short distance to sea excursion, very happening during the night, lots of restaurants and shops, but night market is very small during weekends. Hotel price slightly higher than other places.
Krabi Town: Far from the beach, but there is a mall there for shopping. Lots of food, and cheaper ones. Friday, Saturday and Sunday got night market. Hotel price slightly cheaper than Ao-Nang.
According to intense searching of reviews and recommendations, finally I decided to stay at Ao-Nang as I think I would spend more time on beach. Here's my suggestion,
--> if you think you do not have much time for the sea and beach, loves hunting food and stuff in the night market, going there during weekends (night market is during weekends), want to be more budget, then I suggest that you stay at Krabi Town.
--> Else, if you wanna spend more time on the beach, more active at the night (lots of spas and restaurants) , lazy to wake up 30 minutes earlier for sea excursion, only plan to go for night market once, then stay at Ao-Nang. Easy right?
My Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive > Ao-Nang to check in > Krabi Town > back to Ao Nang
Day 2: Phi Phi Island Sea Excursion > Ao Nang shopping > Ao Nang Night Market > Massage and Spa
Day 3: 5 Island Sea Excursion > Krabi Night Market > Shopping
Day 4: Pack and back to Kuala Lumpur
Day 1
First thing first, check in to our hotel at Ao-Nang... This is our guesthouse - it's called I-Check-inn! I actually book it from booking.com (the site that I usually book for accommodation), however, you can book straight away from them here!
*I only brought a small luggage like that for 4 days together with a small bag pack. So, save up my luggage cost as well! I din pay for check in luggage.
You might be wondering.. Then how am I supposed to fill up the petrol for the bike/ car? So, not to worry because you could easily find these Petrol Vending Machine! Cool huh? okay... I know some countries do have this thingy (especially Europe), but hey, I hardly find one in Malaysia! I'm not sure about the rates, but I remember I pay 60 Baht that time and I was able to go and come back from Krabi Town from Ao Nang!
Waiting for our first meal in Krabi.. So, we went to road-side stalls for lunch. Price for a plate of fried rice or noodle is about 60 Baht, TomYam soup was little more expensive, around 80 to 150 Baht. I wonder why it was so expensive for a signature dish like TomYam in Thailand itself!
After lunch, we went to nearby Ao Nang beach to have a look.
Nothing much on the first day night in Krabi town because the NIGHT MARKET ONLY AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY. And that day was Thursday.. omg! We have nothing to do there but just simple dinner at one of the restaurant nearby. However, we spotted this pancake stall (just beside the main entrance of the mall) is full of people (I mean LOCALS) queueing up to buy pancakes.
So, we stop by and buy these pancakes too. Have to wait for 1 hour for this freaking pancake ahhh...
okay.. It's tastes like "Roti Tissue" in Malaysia, very crunchy.. But quite nice also.. Don't know if it is consider special for you guys..
Day 2
Finally... the long awaited phi phi island... During one of my previous island trip, I once met a French couple who have just back from Krabi telling me how beautiful is Maya Bay in their Phi Phi island trip. According to them... it's like a "paradise" to them.. Okay... So, today is the day I'm going to experience the "paradise".
Phi Phi Island Trip (only Speedboat) usually cost about 1,800 Baht (published rate/online rate) for peak season (November to March). *Don't have to book online. It's more difficult to bargain via online and might end up more expensive too* However, during low season, it could cost half of it or lesser. I got it at 900 Baht (mid season - October). There are only 2 of us. If you have more people, you can bargain more.. maybe about 600-700 baht per person also.. However, the price doesn't have much difference between stalls because there is so much competition. Recommended to go on October or around April/May (lesser rain and price is slightly cheaper because it is still not consider peak season).
The port is very near to Ao Nang, which is about 5-15 mins drive only, but it's further for those who stay in Krabi Town (might take up to 30 - 40 mins drive I think).
First Stop: Bamboo Island
Well, not sure if it's my problem. I didn't see any bamboos there. The weather was FREAKING HOT that day! I really don't have mood to swim or take pictures also.. The sun is BURNING!!! Sunblock doesn't even help!
Second Stop: literally looking at Viking Cave inside the speedboat
The advertisement sound good => "VISITING" Viking Cave. BUT, we are only given a chance to LOOK at the cave at a distance.
Then.. next destination...
Third Stop: Maya Bay
Along the way to Maya Bay, the view was fantastic!!
okay.. gonna show abit how maya bay looks like..
We were given about 20-30mins to walk around only...
Beautiful? Definitely.
Breath-taking view? Yes.
Crowded? Extremely.
Love it? Maybe not.. Too Many People!!!
Worth it? Depends on whether it's crowded or not.
So, this is the long awaited Maya Bay that I was thinking about all day... Personally feels that if it wasn't that crowded, this is certainly a nice place to rest and relax. But that day was really too crowded that I can hardly find a place to sit. The bay was full of speedboats and I can hardly find a place to swim too! In addition, the HOT weather makes me feel irritated and frustrated because it's like burning my skin! Rate it 3 out of 5. But it really depends. That was just my personal opinion, Some of my friends said they love this place too!
Fourth Stop: Literally looking at Monkey Beach
Again, sitting on the speedboat and look at the beach ONLY. Basically, this is really NOTHING SPECIAL! It was just a small beach with a few monkeys there. What??! Fooled by the advertisement again.. haha.. I don't even bother to take a single picture of it. So, don't expect so much on this "monkey beach". You don't even have a chance to go down and feel the sand.
Fifth Stop: Phi Phi Island
Although Phi Phi island is not a big island, but it can offer most of the things other islands can offer such as restaurants, hotels, spas and massage centres, lots of shops and stalls selling souvenirs and clothes, etc.. We also had our buffet lunch here. Everyone was so hungry and ate like a horse. Nothing special on the menu, so don't expect much on the food as well =D In case you expect a lot, you will be disappointed.
Below are some random pictures around phi phi don..
Things here are more expensive than Krabi island of course. So, save your pennies to shop in other places... I forgot the exact time already.. but if I'm not mistaken, we were given about 1 hour 45 mins including lunch time to spend in Phi Phi Don.
After a tiring day, back in Ao Nang, we visited the night market in Ao Nang (aka Ao Nang Walking Street).
Directions: From Ao Nang Beach, go straight to the McDonalds direction until you see a big mosque at your left. Ao Nang Night Market is just the opposite of the Mosque.
*Only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday*
Well, I'm not sure whether you guys understand the direction, but I've tried my best.. haha.. If you plan to drive there, and still don't understand what am I talking about, then I suggest you to ask the locals there.
A little disappointed with this night market because it's really very small (I mean EXTREMELY small). Only a few stalls and I only took less than 10 mins to see all the stalls there. Not very recommended to come here also. If you are planning to settle your dinner here, forget about it =D
Later that night, we went for a full body massage!!! Massage prices is almost standard in each shop. They don't allow to bargain much... so, if there is only a few of you, forget about bargain... Eg. I hour full body massage = 200 Baht
Day 3
My main motive to Krabi is to go out the sea. So, again, we went sea excursion on the third day. This time, we went for the 5 island trip. If you are in a budget, you will definitely choose this one for your sea excursion trip coz it's one of the cheapest among all.
4 island / 5 island package (both are the same): 800 Baht by Longtail Boat (published rate, peak season)
I got it at about 350 Baht per person. Again, more people can bargain more to get cheaper price.
*This package also available by Speedboat. Price is slightly expensive but can reach the place faster (around 1200 Baht)*
First Stop: Railey Beach + Phranang Cave
I personally love the longtail boat tour compare to speedboat tour. I can enjoy the scenery sitting on a longtail boat... Speedboat is a bit too mainstream also.. haha..
Second Stop: Poda Island
Third Stop: Snorkelling around Si Island
Snorkelling equipment is provided, unless you are those very hygiene person wanna get your own snorkelling equipments can bring your own equipments. I only used iphone to take these pictures (with a waterproof cover), so, the quality not so good lah..
I forgotten how long we were given for the snorkelling.. but confirm it's less than an hour.
Fourth Stop: Literally Looking at "chicken island"
Looking at chicken island from a distance.. AGAIN, REALLY NOTHING SPECIAL...
One photo is enough! It's called chicken island because the limestone looks like a chicken's head. =D
Fifth Stop / Last Stop: Tub Island
More time is given for this island for us to swim and walk around the beach.. But I forgot to take pictures of how the surrounding looks like. I was very hot that time and all I wanted is just jump into the sea and swim!
I think we were given about 45 mins to 1 hour to hang around in Tub island. Then, finally, back to Ao Nang...
*Comparing both 5 island trip and Phi Phi island. Basically, I love 5 island trip more than Phi Phi island. Maybe I put too high expectation on Phi Phi island in the first place. And also, I prefer longtail boat than speedboat. Speedboat is very huge that can carries about 40 people in a boat. It is almost all cover up and I can hardly see the view outside. Longtail boat, although travels much slower than speedboat, allows me to look around and feel the breeze of the sea.*
Next time might wanna try other islands such as James bond island and Hong Island for kayak-ing! haha!
At the evening, we went to TESCO LOTUS to buy some stuff back (eg. Snacks and Thailand Junk Food). It is about 15 minutes drive from Ao Nang Beach. Anyway, we go there by motorcycle again =D Malaysians really love to get those Thai-local junk food and bring back to Malaysia.. I don't know why, but I'm one of them too..
At night, we go to Krabi Town again... This time for the night market there. If it is one friday, saturday and sunday, there are many taxis going there charging about 150 Baht person (to and fro). There are cheaper alternatives also. But this comes in a package to bring you there and back to Ao Nang. So, it's easier for us also.. we don't need to find taxis/tuk tuk back.
Krabi Town night market is much much much more better than Ao Nang walking street! Such huge difference!! So, will just post some random food post and the surrounding in Krabi Town night market.
and not to forget the famous pancake again..
This is just part of it.. actually they have a stage and performance too during friday, saturday and sunday.. But I didn't manage to take some pics of it.. and the stalls here are much more that Ao Nang walking street. So, if you stay in Krabi town during weekends, you can have your dinner here! I would definitely stay in Krabi Town if there is a next time, I prefer food hunt than shopping during the night! =D
Day 4
Breakfast, hanging out around Ao Nang street and go home. Goodbye Krabi =D
Gonna say I'm quite happy with this trip.. get to enjoy and at the same time I only spend about RM1000 per person (includes all sea excursion trips, air ticket, food, accommodation.. etc)...
By the way, it's never too late to plan your trip even if you have landed in Krabi. There are sooooo many packages there... And you can find all the brochures everywhere in Krabi island.
4.53am
(Malaysia Time)
