Buzz
Maya Bay left me speechless with its breathtaking beauty, just like something out of a movie scene. The vast expanse of turquoise sea, the lush greenery of the mountains, it's like stepping into a painting.
During the tour, we'll pass by islands like Bamboo Island, Pi Leh Bay, Monkey Island, and Phi Phi Don.
Particularly at Nui Bay, you can dive down to see coral reefs and colorful fish. Even if you're not a strong swimmer like Thanh, don't hesitate to put on a life jacket and dive in for an unforgettable experience.
Because I was too tired from the previous day's trip to Koh Phi Phi, I couldn't join the 4-island tour. But for those with good health, this tour is highly recommended. I've heard it's quite enticing.
In Ao Nang, there are plenty of roadside eateries and restaurants. My favorites are Lae Lay Grill and Wang Sai (which is part of the hotel's restaurant where I'm staying, so I had a voucher). Due to my sensitive stomach, eating by the roadside often leads to discomfort, but the food looks so tempting. My main goal in Thailand is to indulge in food. Here, they have several types of salt-grilled fish that look delicious, but it's a dish meant for 2-3 people to share. Before you go, make sure to bring digestive medication from Vietnam, just to be safe.
The next day, I booked a tour to Krabi, visiting the Emerald Pool and Namtok Ron (hot springs). The tour price was around 1,000 baht. It's advisable to book tours outside as it's cheaper than booking through hotels by a few hundred baht.
Visiting the Emerald Pool was absolutely delightful. The crystal-clear lake with its green-finned fish nibbling away felt like a natural massage. Since outside food and drinks weren't allowed and we had to trek 1.4km to get there, hygiene was guaranteed.
Due to exhaustion from the trek, I jumped right into Namtok Ron. The hot spring bath was so soothing, lying submerged there eased away all the fatigue. I drifted into a dreamy sleep before I even knew it.
The biggest regret was not renting a scooter to explore Krabi. Being quite a distance from Krabi even in Ao Nang made getting around a bit of a hassle.
I started my journey from Ao Nang to Krabi Airport to head back to Bangkok. Initially, the hotel offered a transfer to the airport for 600 baht per person, but while strolling along the coast of Ao Nang, I stumbled upon a deal to book a ride to the airport for only 150 baht per person, incredibly cheap.
Continuing the adventure in Bangkok, since many of you might have been there, I'll just advise you to opt for hotels close to the city center and your desired destinations. Also, don't forget to bring a comfortable pair of shoes because you'll be doing a lot of walking.
Thanh's total expenses amounted to 7-8 million, excluding shopping expenses. Considering a 5-day, 4-night island trip at that price, I found it incredibly cheap compared to my initial expectations.
By Le Yen Thanh
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourSeptember 29, 2016
