Day 3: Phi Phi Island Hopping @ Krabi (1 Sept 2014)

So today was the hubs birthday and I let him decide on which island hopping he wanted to hop on and he chose Phi Phi Island. As usual the transport picked us up from the hotel around 9 am and proceed to drop us at the jetty or more like a bunch of speedboats and long tail boats near to Noppharatara beach. We are going for 7 locations around Phi Phi Don and a few island, actually three island only.

Once we got into the speedboat, thank God I bought the motion sickness pill and swallow a few before the journey start. Or else, the whole journey I will spend vomiting and I don't think the other passengers will be happy about that. First stop was Bamboo island and we spent about 45 minutes here. Basically, the whole journey is touch and go island hopping. We didn't snorkeled the first half of the journey but only started after lunch which was a bad move by the guide. He dropped us not too far from the beach in Phi Phi Don and it was VERY choppy. I went down to the sea and only manage to stuck my head into the water for 5 seconds and that's it. I had enough as I kept having water going into my mouth and kept grabbing onto hubs. Since his birthday, I decided to just stay on the boat and let him enjoyed his snorkeling activities.

After we done with snorkeling, we went back to the hotel for a short swim and nap before dinner by the sea and then Ao Nang for the massage and shopping. Didn't shop there as much as Krabi night market as the deal was not that good. We ordered 5 seafood dishes and freak out when the food came as it seemed a lot but then again Mr. Hubs whacked everything clean on plate. Glad that we found the Ao Nang seafood restaurant and managed to see the sunset.

So basically that sums up how my hubs being spoilt to the max during the four day retreat. Day 4 was spent soaking at our pool, fully maximising the pool and the room and went for our last Banana + Nutella pancake.

Now I want my own birthday retreat!

Day 2: Sea Kayaking & Night Market at Krabi (31 August 2014)

 

Back from my retreat at Krabi, or more like spoiling my hubs to the max at Krabi. It's for his birthday treat which is suppose to be a surprise but since I need him to lock down his leave, gotta let him know earlier though the location remained secret till the final week.

Day 1 is just spent taking the flight into Krabi and lazying around the hotel area as we reached Krabi at 5pm. We checked into Small Hotel near Ao Nang beach with a pool accees room, another surprise I planned for him since I know how much he loves swimming. Never regret the decision although it's slightly more expensive but worth it.

So before the trip, I have been researching on activities in Krabi. As we had only two full days, I decided to go for sea kayaking or more like mangrove swamps kayaking and island hopping to Phi Phi Island. If you asked me, I will definately prefer kayak more than the island hopping.

We actually booked the trip via a local agent in Krabi and it costs us 3500 baht for one full day island hopping and half a day for kayaking. The reason for me not having a full day kayaking as we were in Krabi during the weekend and we decided to drop by the weekend night market at Krabi town.

So off we went for the kayaking trip on day 2 and we took the Ao Thalene route which we kayak a bit at the sea before entering the lagoon and into the mangrove swamps. We were very excited after sitting in the truck for 45 mins before reaching the destination. There were another 5 Malaysian girls in our group and we were joined by another French couple who resides in Malaysia as well. We were extremely lucky as before we flew off, I had checked the weather forecast and it's suppose to rain the weekend we were there.

Once we got into the kayak, we began pedalling, hubs behind and I was in front. But somehow we still manage to paddle to the wrong direction and went all over the place instead of following our guide. We crashed into the pier, almost crashed into a motorboat and stranded in the mud, all happened in the first 20 mins of our kayaking. Finally we managed to steer the kayak to the right direction and followed the tour guide. The first 15 minutes were just around the sea and once we entered the lagoon, we were stunned. It's a different environment altogether, and we just sat back and relax and let the current carried us into the swamps. After a while, we were drifted to the mangrove swamps but we did not need much energy to paddle. It was the best time for us relax and listen to the surroundings. I especially love the fact that they restrict motorboats from going in or more like nature restricted that as the water is quite shallow and muddy. After that, we paddle back to the pier and went back to the hotel.

At night we hailed a taxi or more like a truck that shuttle from Ao Nang to Krabi town which costs us only 50 baht per person, much cheaper than the tuk-tuk that offered 300baht per trip.

We love the night market very much as there were plenty of food and in the middle of the square, there are chairs and tables for the patrons to have thier dinner and entertainment. Hubs as usual went crazy over all the food and souvenir shopping while I went overboard with the sleeveless tees which cost 100 baht per piece.

After that, we took the same truck back to Ao Nang in front of the 7-11 shop which cost 60 baht per person at night.

Bangkok in 5 Days

This trip was end of last year and frankly speaking, I know some have actually gone to Bangkok multiple times but this is the first time I was in Bangkok and in Thailand. Coincidentally when we were there, Bangkok was having some rough time with protesters on the street. I guess somehow we were lucky that these protesters decided to take a break during the New Year and let us, the tourists to have roam freely on the street.

Grand Palace

We flew in to Bangkok via Airasia and landed in Don Mueng airport. When we asked the counter staff for the transport to the city, she pointed out that we should take a cab and the fee was around THB 900 that time which was equivalent to RM 90! Me being the super kiam auditor decided to follow some foreign Mat Salleh backpackers and see where they went to take the bus. I read before that there is a bus to the BTS station- Mo Chit. Finally, we found the spot and luckily we took the A1 bus as it cost us only THB 30 each which was orange in colour. The station is just outside of the airport. As we were staying at Bangkok City hotel which is near to Ratchethewi station, we decided to take the subway to the station from Mo Chit subway station. The hotel that we stay is superb, 3 start quality with super cheap price. For a King size bed room, it cost us only around RM130 per night with breakfast provided. The breakfast was nothing to shout about as it was mostly American. But the location is so convenient that we walked to Platinum Mall and nearby almost every night! And not forgetting lots of massage parlour along the way and plenty of yummy street food. Not going to show much of the photos of the hotel. Can just refer to the link provided.

Damnoen Floating market

What I am sharing will be mostly on the itinerary for the 5 days we had in Bangkok.

Day 1- Arrival and we didn't do much except to walk to Platinum Mall and had our taste McD samurai pork burger. Ok ok..a bit expensive and that was the only time we had it. Thn we had supper at some of the shops along the way back to the hotel.

Day 2 - We went to the Grand Palace area, Wat Pho but missed out on Wat Arun. Instead of taking a cab as most cabs refuse to take us there, we took a subway and then change to boat. Will blog about the details in another time. Then at night foot massage which only cost THB 200. The shop is located just outside of the hotel on the right side. The staff there were in orange uniform.

Day 3 - Floating market and etc. Why I wrote etc because before getting to the floating market, we were brought to the elephant camp for ride, some jewelry shop, snake show. And we only spent like 1 hour at the floating market. Felt cheated with the day tour package we booked.

Day 4 - Chatuchak. Spend almost a full day here since it's Sunday and the market is at full swing. First time, seen my hubby became a shopaholic and bought almost 10 pieces of polo tees at the market. Well, they were cheap and good quality. As for me, I manage to grab a Grade A Prada, haha. Too bad, no money to buy the real one. After that we went to Siam Paragon to get Naraya as I was kiasu to see so many people buying so much from that shop. After googling, only then I realised it's a Thai famous brand. Not bad quality though. Tonight we went to full body massage at the same shop for THB 200.

Day 5 - Just sleep in at the hotel as our flight is at 2pm.

So, how's the Bangkok trip? Now I can understand why everyone crazy about Bangkok shopping and food. I think I am addicted and vow to go back at least every year.