KL HOUSE AONANG :: Accommodation @ Aonang : Krabi : Thailand

Small, charming, silent at times, nice for a day’s walking tour.

Krabi Town is full of old buildings, bars and restaurants, local

exotic marketplaces and food stalls at the old Chao-Fa pier

where to sample the local food. The Krabi motto is:

"lively town, lovely people".

Krabi’s simple people are definitely proud of their town and of their warm and generous character.

Hop on a longtail boat at Chao Fa pier and visit Khao Kanab Nam, the unique pair of hills facing

each other on the opposite banks of the Krabi River, symbols of the town; or embark on a journey

to Koh Klang, an island next to town on the mouth of the river, where you will experience lives

lived by the local fishing communities or charter a boatman for a visit to the mangrove backwaters.

Wat Tham Sua temple Located just 9 km from Krabi Town

the Wat Tham Seua, or Tiger Cave Monastery, is one of

south Thailand’s most famous and interesting forest temples,

as the monks live, meditate and worship within a maze of

natural caves in an overgrown jungle valley. Many Thai

women live out their oldage there as nuns. Explore the inner cave used by monks for meditation.

Climb the 1,237 steps up a limestone tower to see the statue of the Buddha and the “footprint of

the Buddha” embedded in the rock, and to enjoy one of the best viewpoints of the area. Take the

circular walk through Krabi’s rarest of all features, a pocket of primary lowland forest, a circular

rocky basin enclosed by high cliffs. Here, along a pathway used by monks to meditate and amongst

a number of magnificent trees you can be amazed in front of the largest flared root base of any

tree remaining in Thailand.

Wat Klong Thom Museum features various kinds of beads, stone tools, and stone and earthen

ornaments in animal shapes of approximately 5,000 years old, uncovered during archeological

excavations. Fire dancing, part of the beach culture, is a popular evening activity on the beaches

of Koh Lanta, performed by acrobatic boys who swing burning torches around their bodies, creating

sparkling artistic pictures.

Ao Nang, at 20km from Krabi Town, is the most developed of

Krabi’s beaches, a long stretch of white sandy beach with

limestone mountains as a backdrop. It has a wide range of

accommodation and services and the main shopping street

features restaurants, bars, pubs, souvenir shops, dive

centers and tour agencies, massage centers and spas. This is the hub from which to plan your trip

at sea and to the nearby islands on a typical longtail boat.

Noppharat Thara beach, just around the corner from Ao Nang, is 3km long yet still undeveloped,

with only a few resorts and bars. Attractive because of its natural setting, this is where local

youngsters and families gather at sunset and at weekends. Savour some local Muslim snacks at the

beach stalls, or fill yourself with seafood in the local restaurants at the very end of the beach, near

the Noppharat Thara National Park headquarters. At low tide, walk out together with millions of

small crabs on the sandy pathways to the small islands near the beach.

Railay beaches are split and separated from Krabi and Ao Nang by monumental limestone

mountains. Railay has two sides, east and west, and its settings are simply marvelous: crystal clear

water, pure sandy beaches, lush mountains, rocky islands emerging fromthe sea. Railay can only be

reached by boat, a 15 minutes ride from Ao Nang or 30 minutes from Krabi Town. Enjoy a cocktail in

one of the beach bars, visit the Phranang Cave, challenge yourself on a rock climbing course, hike

the limestone massif to a lagoon and a viewpoint, or simply chill out. Neighbouring Tonsai lies at the

base of a cliff which divides it form Railay West. Tonsai has a shallow beach with slow gradients

out to sea which is profoundly affected by the tide.

Klong Muang beach is a further 20km away from Ao Nang; it is the up-market side of Krabi, the

place to be if you are after a peaceful holiday. Catering to families and couples, it is here that you

really get the so deserved repose, surrounded by pristine nature.

Tubkaek beach is another real place to hide away; long, clean and peaceful, the area has breath-

taking views over Koh Hong islands archipelago, and charming sunsets. From there you can venture

inside the National Park and try a walking trail to a viewpoint and a waterfall. Koh Lanta beaches

have a wide selection of resorts for all tastes and pockets. Lanta Yai island has long stretches of

gleaming white sandy beaches and shallow emerald waters. Lined with tropical vegetation, a

private spot is at Lanta Yai. never more than a short walk away on a southern beach.

Hot Springs of Klong Thom, natural Jacuzzis in which to lift

away tensions and relieve body and mind with the mineral-

enriched waters falling into rocky ponds.

Sa Morakot (The emeral ponds), the Emerald Pool, is a

natural wonder: a pond of turquoise water with an average

temperature of 30-40C, fed by a hot spring in the middle of the jungle.

Phi Hua Toh Cave, in the nearby Bor Thor area, surrounded by mangrove swamps and reachable

by boat or kayak, is where to see pre-historic rock paintings depicting animals and humans.

Tarnbok Khoranee National Park, in the north of the region, consists of limestone mountains,

verdant tropical forest, caves and beautiful islands. It is well-known for its different species of

trees growing around a large natural crystal clear pool, and for the hundreds of birds’ species.

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, at 20km from Krabi Town, comprises waterfalls, streams,

lush forests and caves. It is home to all kind of flora and wildlife and to the highest mountain in the

region from which it takes the name. One of the features of the park is Huay Toh Waterfall where

water runs down onto several huge pools.

Susaan Hoi (Fossil Seashell) is a 40 million year-old seashell cemetery; once a large swamp where

freshwater crustaceans proliferated, today home to 40 centimeter thick, shell encrusted limestone

slabs, a geological uniqueness not far from Ao Nang. One must find a broken edge to see the shells

clearly, since all of those on the upper surface have been walked on and worn down by the

elements and are hard to identify.

Limestone mountains or karsts, characterize most of the inland Krabi area, the most spectacular

being the massifs of Sai Tai.

Hop on or hire a longtail, the local wooden boats with their

picturesque prows. Sail away to Koh Poda, surrounded by

turquoise waters, or to Koh Kai, shaped as a chicken and

therefore called the Chicken Island, from where a walk on a

sandy pathway connects it to Koh Tub. Make a longtail boat

or speedboat trip to the Koh Hong archipelago, a group of limestone islands with hidden caves and

lagoons perfect for kayaking or snorkeling. Join an organized tour to amazing Koh Phi Phi islands,

full of marvelous bays, limestone cliffs, waters rich in marine life, caves where swallow nests are

harvested, and much more. Visit Koh Jum , Koh Siboya small, unspoiled tropical hide-away that

have a unique atmosphere. These islands still have no electricity and no cars and give visitors the

time to relax and re-charge their batteries. Or venture out on Koh Lanta, the developing island at

the southern end of the province home to sea gypsies communities, where you will meet nature

and tradition. A National Park area that comprises many different islands surrounded by coral reefs,

such as Koh Ngai and remote Koh Rok.