Monday 3 February 2014

Ready, Steady, Stop!.... The New Year sees me back in Thailand again for hopefully more enjoyable adventures. It all starts tomorrow when I need to be at Don Meuang Airport by 6 am for a flight to Krabi. Actually I've been in Thailand for 6 days, but there's been little activity to date. I arrived for the build up and celebration of Chinese New Year but the 'rabbit' has yet to spring into life. In addition, there have been elections in Thailand amongst political confusion. Politics is not on the agenda for this website but transportation is, and that's been a headache here for some time. I do have a swimming pool almost in my backyard though to fall back onto but by this time tomorrow I think the pool will be much bigger!

Day 1, Tuesday 4 February 2014 - Krabi

Sweet and Sour..... I'm awake well before 5 am and there's just one thing on my mind and it's nothing to do with my departure. As I turn on my computer the crowds have barely departed at the Etihad Stadium, most of them disappointed. I was hoping for a miracle and the Lord delivered. The news flashes the score and a rampant City have been undone by a dominant Chelsea. The whole mood of my day hangs on this result and I'm over the moon. This win will hang over the Premier League for weeks if not months to come.
Yesterday while at the pool I secured a taxi for the morning. It duly arrives at 5.30 am. I've managed coffee and toast so it's all set for the main business of the day. I arrive at Don Meuang Airport around 6 am. Since my last visit to Don Mueang only months ago there have been upgrades, not least at security. It's worth reminding readers that the same restrictions apply to hand luggage on domestic flights as they do on international ones. I make my way to Gate 77 where the departure on AirAsia flight FD3229 is scheduled to depart at 7.30 am. It's an effortless run but nonetheless the day becomes compromised when I turn on my camera only to discover I've left without my memory card which is in my spare computer. I just hope I can find one in Krabi. My mood-swing is complete.
On arrival at Krabi International Airport I achieve another first. With the plane hardly full I'm the second to leave, just minutes after parking. I'm out in no time with no baggage to collect but then have to wait for the shuttle bus to fill with passengers and luggage. It's heading for Krabi and Ao Nang beyond. My recent misfortune has a least determined that my next destination has to be Krabi itself. I'm there by 10 am. I do have a recommendation for accommodation which turns out to be a route march but doesn't require any further transportation. Otherwise, it ticks all the main boxes.
Sutharat Apartments..... Sutharat Apartments are as the name suggests just rooms but has everything needed within walking distance. It's located near the Maharaj Market about ten minutes walk from the river. I book for two nights and waste no time in exploring my surroundings, but despite offers for boat trips already, today is about collecting information at least to plan the next few days. After an early lunch I head down to the river calling at travel agents on the way.
My original plan was to rent a motorbike in the morning and head for Ao Nang but soon that plan changes. I postpone it till the following day when I will be in Ao Nang but only to depart for the four-island tour which takes in spectacular islands offshore. Three other issues are resolved. Firstly I've located the motorbike rental shops which I will need later, then the departure point for minivans to Ko Lanta where I'm heading for the later days of this tour. Finally, there's the matter of the memory card for my camera. After trudging the streets of Krabi I'm devastated to learn that I'm going to have to pay double the price compared to Bangkok the equivalent of the cost of flying here. I've no option or there will be no photos this trip. I head back to Sutharat Apartments where I'm due a rest after my early start.
A taste of Krabi..... With most of my plans now in place I can alter my focus and concentrate on this tour. In late afternoon I head back down to the river. This offers a number of photo opportunities including the picturesque limestone cliffs of Khao Khanab Nam, but I'm starting to tire.
At 6 pm the night market food stalls open along the river bank. A good selection of Thai food with its distinctive southern flavour and Muslim influence is on offer. That's just about enough for today as I head back to write these notes and no doubt an early night or so I thought. As the night progresses I just can't sleep. While I have issues, finding the bed uncomfortable, the main problem is noisy neighbours. I've turned in early, but others show no consideration at all as this problem persists as late as 2 am. These misdemeanors are not caused by Thais or those in my age group. I take paracetamol to ease the situation, but the damage has been done and I need an early start.
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