Our Journey Begins
Our adventure began with an afternoon flight leaving Bangkok bound for Krabi. After landing in Krabi, we were collected by our private transfer bound for Ao Nang.
Krabi
Krabi, the capital of southern Thailand’s Krabi Province, is a resort town near the Andaman coast. It lies in an area of limestone karsts and mangrove forest. Known for its spectacular rock formations on both land and water, Krabi offers a blend of natural beauty and modern amenities.
Ao Nang
Ao Nang is a resort town in southern Thailand’s Krabi Province. It’s known for a long Andaman coast beachfront and access to dive sites off the nearby islands in its bay. It’s also a center for long-tail boat tours to the beaches of limestone islands such as Ko Hong, Ko Poda, and Ko Gai (Chicken Island). Other boats make trips to Railay Beach, a well-known destination for rock climbers. Ao Nang offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern amenities. It boasts a stunning beach, lively markets, and a bustling nightlife. The main strip is lined with restaurants, shops, and travel agencies offering tours and excursions.
Ao Nang Beach, Thailand
BlueSotel
We checked into our accommodation at BlueSotel, a modern hotel located in the heart of Ao Nang. This was our second visit to Krabi and BlueSotel. We loved the location and amenities the first time, so we returned. BlueSotel offers spacious rooms with contemporary decor, a very large pool with a swim-up bar, spa, and some rooms with pool access. The hotel also provides lots of sunbeds and umbrellas, a gym, a kids’ playroom, a restaurant, and a bar outside on the street.
Located around BlueSotel, there is an abundance of restaurants which will satisfy your tastebuds ranging from Thai food, Indian, and an array of western options. A convenient 7/11 was nearby catering for any necessities. For convenience, there are a variety of laundry facilities that will wash, iron, and fold your clothes for a very reasonable price. Various transport options were available, including Tuk Tuks, scooters, and Baht Busses.
Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
A visit to Ao Nang Landmark Night Market will tantalise your tastebuds and accommodate any souvenirs you may wish to take home to family or friends. The markets offer a variety of food stalls serving delicious local and international cuisine, shopping stalls with clothing, accessories, and crafts, and entertainment such as live music and Muay Thai boxing exhibitions. To get there, we took a TukTuk, which cost us 150 baht each way.
Railay Bay
A visit to Railay Bay is a must-do when visiting Ao Nang, which involves a short boat ride (longtail boat) to a pristine beach that is great for swimming. The cost of the trip was 200 baht for a return. Railay Bay is renowned for its breathtaking limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back atmosphere. We took some time to soak in the water and relax, admiring the scenery of the massive limestone cliffs. We then wandered through the walking street where we had a magnificent Thai feast and a cool beverage to cool down. The area offers various activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, and snorkelling. Relax with the magnificent rock cliffs surrounding you whilst enjoying a swim in the crystal-clear water.
How to Get to Railay Bay
To get to Railay Bay, you can walk or take a Tuk Tuk to the Ao Nang Longtail Boat Service Club. At the service club, you can speak to the attendant behind the desk and pay 200 baht for a return trip on a longtail boat. They will provide you with your return ticket.
After purchasing your fare, you will wait in a small waiting room until there are about 8 passengers ready. Once the group is ready, the staff will transport you by Tuk Tuk a few minutes down the road to the Do Do River Bridge, where you will board your longtail boat. Be cautious when boarding as it can be quite steep to get down to the boat.
The boat ride to Railay Bay takes about 10 to 15 minutes, passing by the impressive Centara Grand Beach Resort on the way. Upon arrival at Railay Bay, the drop-off point varies depending on the tides. Be prepared to carefully climb out of the boat directly into shallow water as there are no docks.
To return, simply present your blue ticket and wait on the beach for the staff to gather enough passengers for the trip back to Ao Nang Beach. The service runs from approximately 8 am to 6 pm, but it’s advisable to check the schedule the day before and confirm the last return trip to avoid having to stay overnight.
Ao Nang Longtail Boat Service Club
Do Do River Bridge
Ao Nang Beach, Thailand
Koh Lanta
We left for Koh Lanta mid-morning and were collected by our private driver for the 2-hour drive to Koh Lanta. Arriving at the ferry, we knew we were not far away. Koh Lanta is a serene island paradise known for its long, sandy beaches, lush jungles, and vibrant marine life. It’s the perfect destination for those looking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in nature.
Arriving at our accommodation, Alama Sea Village Resort, nestled on a mountain overlooking the sea. Our 2-bedroom villa with pool access was a delight once we had climbed the 120 stairs to get to our room. A 15-minute walk had us at the beach with various beachside restaurants overlooking the turquoise water. Our days consisted of lazing around in the magnificent infinity pool. At night, we would leave the hotel and walk down to the beachfront and have dinner at the Why Not Bar, which was at Kantiang Bay.
To get around Koh Lanta, you need either your own transport, like hiring a motorbike, or you can catch buses, but they are not that frequent. Taxis are also available.
After Koh Lanta, we drove to Krabi airport in our private car to fly out to Cambodia.
Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap
Siem Reap
Landing in Siem Reap early on a Saturday, we transferred to Apsara Residence Hotel to be greeted by the amazing staff with a refreshing fruit drink and a traditional Cambodian sweet. Our accommodation at Apsara Residence Hotel was beyond expectations, from the amazing room to the tremendous courteous staff. A visit to Pub Street is a highlight for anyone visiting Siem Reap. Pub Street is lined with restaurants and bars catering to all kinds. Traditional Cambodian Tuk Tuks are readily available to transport you around the city, and the polite drivers are only too happy to have a chat and tell you about their country. A quick city tour for several hours at a reasonable price is highly recommended. It is amazing how cheap the beer is in Siem Reap, paying as low as $0.50 USD for a cold glass of beer, which is welcomed on a hot day. Getting from Siem Reap airport to the city takes about 45 minutes to an hour and costs about $30 USD if you get a car from the airport.
We fell in love with the people and the chilled-out vibes the city had to offer. We felt very relaxed and at home here. The people of Siem Reap are some of the nicest we’ve met. We enjoyed visiting the smaller family-owned and run restaurants, which still offered great food, good prices, and lovely owners. We loved Siem Reap so much that we extended our time here.
Angkor Wat
Early morning rise by the sounds of an alarm had us eagerly waiting for our driver to take us to the amazing Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We eagerly waited for the sun to rise over Angkor Wat, and we were not disappointed. Shared with a large crowd, a whisper could not be heard as all sat in silence to watch the sun rise over this spectacular temple. After the sun rose, we then made our way to explore the temple and climb the stairs for amazing views. Our driver took us to various temples, including Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Bayon.
