A short three hours drive from world-renowned Phuket is the quiet and scenic province of Krabi. Like the nearby province of Phang-nga, it is also endowed with lush jungles, limestone karst cliffs, waterfalls, natural pools and hot springs. It is also home to some of the most beautiful islands in the country.
Krabi has retained its small town charm and its natural gifts are still pretty much unspoiled by modern developments. Hotels, restaurants, bars and other tourist facilities are concentrated along the stretch of Ao Nang beach – Krabi’s busiest section. However, Ao Nang remains pleasant to the eye due to its stunning backdrop of steep karst cliffs and outlines of nearby islands scattered along the horizon of the ocean.
Island hopping can be arranged from several tour facilities in Ao Nang or you can approach a longtail boat skipper for a personalized tour if you want. Some of the most popular islands for day trippers are Ko Poda, Ko Gai, Ko Tub, Hong Islands and Phra Nang Bay on Railay. Railay is not just considered as one of the most beautiful destinations in Thailand but also a perfect spot for rock climbers.
However, Phi-phi Islands remain the most popular of Krabi’s offshore island attractions. It is famous for the exquisite indigo-blue lagoon in the movie, “The Beach”. The island is stunning and gorgeous, however there is no escaping the thousands of tourists converging on its shores and hundreds of boats docked on its waters during high season. It is best to time your visit during the low season if you want to enjoy the island.
For long walks on the beach without the noise and the crowd, the serene stretch of Nopharat Thara Beach is idyllic. If you wish to visit the nearby islands on foot, it is best to schedule your walks when the tide is out.
For a different perspective, take the longtail boat tour of the Krabi river estuary and treat yourself to lush riverside flora. Also, watch for wildlife sightings as you glide along the river.
Krabi is also home to a Shell Cemetery that looks like a large slab of concrete as wide as a football field jutting out to the sea. If you look closer, you’ll notice that the slab of concrete is actually fossilized shells that are believed to be 75,000 years old.
For a perfect overlook view of the province, head to Wat Tam Sueu or the Tiger Cave Temple. On site, you’ll pass by a caved sanctuary and a long 1,200 step climb along chedis and Buddhas to the viewing point at the summit of this towering karst pillar. The climb is exhausting but the view from the top is definitely a worthy reward.
Finally, nature trippers will delight in the tropical rainforest trails of Krabi’s national parks such as those in Huay Toh, Than Bokkharani and Kho Phra-Bang Khram. Krabi’s emerald pools tucked in the middle of the jungle are a must see. After your exhausting trek, treat yourself to the rejuvenating hot spring waters in the many swimming holes along the way.
Sunee is author of this article on Hotels in Thailand. Find more information about Phuket Hotels here.
No comments:
Post a Comment