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.

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!

By the way, the place I stayed was a little far from the area where the abundance of restaurants and shops situated (I mean the area near McDonalds).. Of course, there are also some restaurants near the place I stayed, but I just prefer to go further for food! haha.. So, we rented a motorcycle since it was just 2 of us. The rental are consider quite cheap, with starting from 200 Baht per day (but with the smallest CC lah.. if I'm not mistaken, they called it Scoopy..  We took the 250 baht motor with a higher CC because we planned to ride to Krabi Town later.


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!


Pineapple Fried Rice- 60 Baht


Thai Tom Yam - 100 baht


Pad Thai - I forgot the price.. around 50 to 80 baht I guess..


After lunch, we went to nearby Ao Nang beach to have a look.
So, this was the look of Ao Nang Beach...


Along the beach of Ao Nang..
After walking around Ao Nang, actually my plan was to go to the tiger cave and then to krabi town before going back to our hotel. However, the weather wasn't very good and it rained a little. Therefore, we take a rest in our hotel before going out again. When the rain stops, it's almost evening, so, we changed our plan and only go to Krabi Town that night. We went there by motocycle, which takes us about half an hour. I personally don't recommend to go Krabi Town by motorcycle because it's a bit far. And secondly, travelling back from Krabi Town to Ao Nang is a little bit dangerous at night since some roads are dark and quiet.

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.


Sorry, no good quality photos..but still can see the aunty face lah..

So, we stop by and buy these pancakes too. Have to wait for 1 hour for this freaking pancake ahhh...


cost about 30 baht for each plate

banana pancake looks like more worth right? same price 30baht only.. and still got banana to eat. hahaa..
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).




Some pictures at the port before departing..

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!

Indeed, the water in Bamboo island was crystal clear!! but no fish at all..


Bamboo Island looks something like this..



Small hut situated in the heart of bamboo island... If you are thirsty, can go and buy some overpriced beverage here..


Goodbye Bamboo Island. Btw, we were given about 20 mins to "snoop" around only.

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.

something like this... okay lah... the cave looks a bit scary also.. so, everyone just observe it enough already.

Then.. next destination...

Third Stop: Maya Bay
Along the way to Maya Bay, the view was fantastic!!
 They slowed down a little for us to take some pictures...


 Heading to Maya Bay..



I took all these photos in the speedboat itself.. so, some might turn out a little bit blur.. but it's okay...

okay.. gonna show abit how maya bay looks like..

Maya Bay is surrounded by steep limestone hills. There is only one way in and one way out by the boat. So, it's like a 'hidden treasure" in the middle of the deep blue sea.


 Wanna take pictures also must sacrifice a bit.. the weather that day was actually FREAKING HOT!!!


basically this is the overview of Maya Bay..

See... it's really really crowded!!! >_<





 bad camera.. blur photos..

Don't underestimate this small island.. got snack bar and toilet also..

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..
 Welcome to Phi Phi Island..



 massage and spas centres..



 lots...

 and lotss..

 and lotsss..

of stalls....

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.

 Ao Nang Night Market looks like this at the entrance.,

 My main objective to come here is for food. So, I will skip all other stalls..







Really very hungry.. we had some street snacks here before going for our dinner at a nearby restaurant.

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)*

The itinerary for the 5 island package...


Get up early - Beach Look!

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..

 Inside Longtail boat..

 Arrive in Railey Beach..

 The sand here is so soft... (a bit crowded also)


along the white sandy beach..

 limestone cliffs..

 I saw there are good reviews on climbing these limestone cliffs but I don't have so much time to do this. We were given less than an hour to be here..Therefore, some people prefer to rent a longtail boat and spend a day in Railey beach to do these activities...




 Outside Phranang Cave...





Btw, people don't stay in Railey beach, There are no hotels on the beach.. So, you could either come to Railey beach by a package or rent a boat and spend a day here.

Second Stop: Poda Island

 Packed lunch... (included in the package already) - But don't expect so much..


Poda Island View.. Quite similar to Bamboo island, it's very small, water is clean and clear, weather freaking hot...



A closer look!

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..



 Under the sea..

No underwater pictures...touchscreen cannot function in water..

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!


limited photos as I am busy swimming.

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.
 Thailand famous Mango sticky rice.. 60 Baht


and not to forget the famous pancake again..

 this stall.. remember hah.. located just beside the entrance of the shopping mall..

 some random stall selling handmade jewellery..

 my favourite grill and fried food!!! =D from 10Baht onwards..

And this special Thai delicacies - wrap fish in salt and cook it. A must try when you go to Thailand!


 another my favourite..

 coconut ice cream -30 Baht..

 Didn't tried this but it is so adorable!!!


 can't stop taking pictures of it..

And Thailand version Keropok Lekor.. I swear Malaysia version is much much much better.. Not recommended.. This one is hard and tasteless..

 Uncle cooking Pad-Thai.. saw many people queuing up.. so we must follow the trend too!

 Taa-daa.. Cost about 50-60 Baht.. forgot the exact amount already..



end of story...

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.