Amazing Phi Phi & Bangkok

“What’s your new year’s resolution ?” My wifey asked me around this Christmas season. I said “ What do you suggest me to do ? ” with this question; we started teasing each other and debate ended up with conclusion rather a resolution of “ Lets Go someplace each year on her birthday ”

Though ,She won the debate ;-) But I gained the more since off course I would be accompanying her for the tour ;-) and would get great opportunity to take good photos.

So ,thought started with Europe ( Paris, Rome, Venice, Athens, Santorini, Zurich…. But not chosen EU because of weather. Almost all major cities have apprx Zero degrees in last week of  January)  later started exploring Dubai, Abu dhabi, Hong Kong. Even I searched for Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos.. ( We had virtual/digital world tour in 10 days or so ;-) )

After much R&D we decided to go to Phi Phi islands in Krabi province of Thailand. We both like beaches/scenery and Thailand was also within budget (less load on my pocket)

We have taken many quotations from many tour operators for finalising itinerary ( We have taken quotations from local tour operators ,viator.com ,Expedia.com, visitacity.com) & finally decided 3 days each in Krabi & Bangkok. We booked hotel near Ao nang beach, Krabi ( Near to krabi market via booking.com) and a hotel next to Baiyoke sky tower in central Bangkok (very close to Bangkok metro station via expedia.com) though we thought of booking Airbnb in Bangkok but got good deal in hotel so we have decided to go for it.

I had international tour experience in UK, Germany & Netherlands (But all these were official tours ,so itinerary was not much in my control) Since this is our first international holiday tour we have done a lot study for sightseeing and things can be done in Krabi & Bangkok. (Though I could do less things in Bangkok since it’s a tour with spouse ;-) ;-) )

We decided not to choose standard tour packages (though few of them were affordable) they were so structured and very common. Also We both feel that exploring a city is also a kind of experience that too in a country where you don’t know the local language.

For Forex we have taken the cash from bookmyforex.com (They offer good exchange rate amongst other Finances also they give home delivery)

We thought of renting a bike in Krabi for exploring costal roads.For her Birthday ; I booked a complete day tour to Phi Phi Island from Ao Nang beach. (1300 bahts PP via krabitrek.com)

We have planned suffix days of 26^th Jan 2017(first long weekend of this year), Flight was Air India @ 1 45 AM from T2. We were at airport few hours before. Once we submitted the luggage we were quick through security & immigration. Flight dropped us in Bangkok in 4 hours & once we landed we went to VISA on arrival kiosk (Tip of VOA: there are two lines first one is for 1200 bahts for quick VOA & second line is for normal VOA in 1000 baht ; So you could save 200 bahts straightway) We had connected flight to krabi ,so we went for quick one. They stamped VOA in no time and we went for Krabi flight.

We landed in krabi around 1 PM. We took 150 Baht PP taxi to go at Ao Nang. They dropped us to hotel lobby in 30 mins or so..

“Krabi cha da” was our resort. Our room was so cool ,We have cliffs and sea view from our balcony. Only receptionist was good in English rest all only talk in Thai or maximum few words in English like OK, Yes, No, Welcome (But it’s a fun communicating with them specially while ordering food through their restaurants)

  

After freshening up we went to roam around hotel area & Ao Nang beach. on return we had yummy Thai street food.

Next day was Phi Phi day, Driver was in lobby exactly on 8 AM. He dropped us at Nopparat jetty from where we took pre-booked speed boat for phi phi island.

We straight way get in speed boat to grab first seat to have a good view while going. It was 4 island tour (Bamboo beach, Piley lagoon, Maya bay & phi phi don)

All places were absolutely amazing. It’s a Andman sea, Turquoise colour water, White sand on beach, green colour cliffs in middle of sea was extraordinary cool stuff. We clicked many pictures in camera almost all places were picturesque.

We did snorkelling near phi phi don, That was also nice experience. Much better than havlock and tarkarli. we reached back to jetty around 5 PM and headed back to hotel in same jeep.

On the way back we took next day appointment for spa.(It was first time experience for me ;-) so we opted for this) again we had street food (Thai phai noodles & coconut water) (tip: Very less vegetarian options in krabi, though there are few Indian restaurants in that area) We both believed “When in rome, do as the romans do” so our first option was local thai food.

Next day, we had a relaxed day comparing to first two days. After breakfast we went to hotel swimming pool and the uniqueness of that pool was, It was on the top floor offering splendid view.

After saying “Bye Bye to krabi” We took flight to Bangkok & Bangkok diaries started..

We took Air line metro rail for travelling to hotel.( tip: its cheapest and fasted option to roam in Bangkok, So always book your hotel near any of the metro station) we reached hotel Citin Pratunam in 40 mins or so from airport.

This area is exactly similar to Chandni Chowk ,small gullies with lot of shops around. After checking-in ; since we have energy to roam around; we went to Chatuchak market. Again we took BTS (Rachprarop- Phaya thai- Mo chit) On return we went to Indian hotel. In our hotel area all you find is Thai people-Chinese people & Indians.(This year Chinese new year was on 28^th Jan ,long weekend for them too) Also many Indians can be seen.. After each 10 mins you’ll hear hindi on Bangkok streets.

Next day was Tiger day, We booked Sriracha Tiger zoo visit. we hired a car in 1500 baht ( Bangkok- Sriracha is 120 Kms far), it turned out to be adventurous tour. We clicked a pic with real tiger. Though it was tamed tiger but we had that feeling while seating next to big tiger. There were half hour shows for elephants, Tigers and crocodiles. After all these shows we were back to Bangkok around 3 PM. Then we went to Siam Paragon mall & MBK mall (it’s a huge mall similar like Phoenix, Worli) we saw sea ocean world there, many species of fishes were there. all the way from Sharks, Glow fish, Star fish ,Octopus, dolphins..

Next day was History day, We went to Grand palace (King lives there) ,Wat pho & Wat Arun (these are budhha temples)

in evening we went to Chao phraya dinner cruise. (tip: Cruise starts from river side. To reach there the cheapest options is to take BTS from any station-get down at saphan taskin station -walk a bit -take orange flag boat from jetty and get down at river side) it was the evening of the tour,.. on cruise they offer welcome drinks, a lot food options, many desserts and dance floor.

Next day was shopping day, we did shopping in Pratunam market ( Its very tiring feeling to have a shopaholic spouse and whole complete day for shopping)

We again took air-line metro for Suvarnabhumi airport & had pleasant flight for back to aamchi mumbai.

It was wonderful 8 days in Amazing Thailand.

- Zestified Vishal