We left for Thailand unexpectedly, which means we didn’t have much time to plan our trip. Thankfully, the South of the country is one of those places one can easily wonder without much worries.
Expect beaches of endless beauty, with calm and peaceful waters. During the day, they are covered by a radiant pristine colour, and as the sun goes down they develop delicate hues. Oranges and purples that keep changing its shade until it gets dark. We rented a car and explored Krabi province and the island of Koh Lanta. But most of the tourists prefer to do it on two wheels, as distances are not too big.
It’s the kind of trip where you definitely want to let go and relax. White sandy beaches will slow you down automatically. And you’ll get caught up by a net of calm, beauty and kindness.
There are plenty of snorkelling options in Thailand. But at the islands, of course, you are more likely to spot a bigger diversity of fishes just by swimming along their beaches.
From Koh Lanta and Krabi, speed boats offer group tours to neighbouring islands known for its diverse marine life and white sandy beaches. Normally the boats leave early in the morning. At that time, the sea is at its best. So it is a very good opportunity to sail the peaceful waters of the Andaman Sea. We even spot a few flying fishes along the way.
Ao Nang is a small town literally engulfed by the tourism industry. But you still might need to make a quick stop there if you want to explore the cliffs and caves of Railay Beachand Phranang Beach. Both of them can only be accessed by sea and long tail boats leave regularly from Ao Nang beach to both Railay and Phranang.
If you want to take a rest from the beach, consider a short hike at the Tha Pom mangroves in Krabi. When the tide is high, crystal clear waters flow through a forest of tropical plants and trees.
Krabi’s Phanom Bencha National Park has one of the biggest waterfalls in the area, the Huay Tho waterfalls. Unfortunately, when we visited, the higher levels of the waterfall where not accessible due to landslides. But if you feel like hiking into the tropical jungle, the Park is still worth visiting, as it has a two hour loop-trail very recommendable. The path is very steep and slippery at some points; so be aware of your fitness level before venturing into the forest.
In Koh Lanta, the Mu Koh Lanta National Park has a 30 minute loop-trail worth exploring. The hike is surrounded by ancient tropical trees and plants. It’s also likely that you’ll have some little company along the way: monkeys. They inhabit the forest and seem quite accustomed to see humans wondering around, so they shouldn’t bother you, unless you bother them. Before starting the trail, take a moment to make a quick climb to the abandoned lighthouse to enjoy the view of the Andaman sea and its calm waters.
The good thing about Thailand is that you can eat very good food almost everywhere. Especially in coastal areas, where there is plenty of seafood restaurants offering tasty and refreshing dishes with the catch of the day.
Following some of the Tai food restaurants that we tried during our stay and that I liked:
In Krabi, Muang area:
The Terrace and
Simanta restaurant.
In Koh Lanta:
L.Maladee,
May's Kitchen and
Beautiful Seafood Restaurant.
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