Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog

Continued from Part 5 – Koh Det’s Breakfast Wonders in Ao Nang, Krabi

Okay, weekend again, and time for a travel post. I concluded the Bali 2009 Saga last weekend, hence I can concentrate on finishing the posts on my Krabi-Phuket trip back in January 2010. A little overdue I know, but can’t blame me really.

For I’m born with the procrastination gene. Sue me.

1. Gorgeous sight of anchored boats on Ao Nang beach, but this beach is definitely NOT for swimming

If you’re in Krabi or Phuket, and you shy away from the sun, the sea or even refrain from staying outdoors during daytime, you’re better off holidaying in Timbuktu. Really.

Mentally and physically prepared for the imminent tanning, the gals slapped on sunscreen with the highest SPF (sun protection factor) there is in the market. Kind of amazing how their routine of applying and re-applying the lotion took place almost automatically, at fixed intervals.

But of course, you’d better be well-prepared, for getting sunburn is NOT the most ideal souvenir you’d want to bring home after a long day out on the seas.

2. On our speedboat to Phi Phi Islands, a 45 minutes ride in good sea conditions.

We booked a package from the Let’s Go Krabi travel agent, a few shops away from our stay at Ao Nang Grand Inn on Moo 2, Ao Nang. The package includes :  Pick up services from Klong Muang, Krabi town, or Ao Nang, speed boat to Phi Phi Islands, visits to Bamboo Island, open sea snorkelling at Hin Klarng,  brief stop on Monkey Beach, buffet lunch at Phi Phi Don, visits to Pi Leh Bay, Viking Cave, Lohsamah Bay and Maya Bay (where “The Beach” was filmed). The day tour took about 8 hours, from 8.30am until about 4.30pm.

Usually priced at 1800 baht per person, the price was reduced to 900 baht/RM90/USD25 per person after serious haggling, pleas and dramas. After all, we ARE Malaysians.

3. Scenes around Maya Bay – Even bride & groom-to-be were there for the shoot!

4. Hin Klarng – Open sea snorkelling (gears provided for free) – Just be aware of your surroundings. After all, you would not want to be drifting towards the engine of another speedboat!

5. Viking Cave – A famous cave, but we did not stop over. Just a glance would do.

6. Monkey Beach – Feeding the monkeys? Or being fed by the monkeys?

7. Beautiful emerald waters leading to Phi Phi Don, where we were supposed to have our lunch

8. Buffet-style lunch, but none too memorable. Of course, you can’t be expecting steaks, fresh oysters, and such right?

9. MORE snorkelling AFTER your meal. Erm, with no rest in between, everyone was thankful for the life jackets. Else 50 years down the line, scavengers would be wondering what’s the fuss with the many skeletons underwater wearing life jackets!

10. Stunning Bamboo Island – Hands down THE most beautiful beach amongst the others.

11. If only our job requires us to lie on the beach all day, doing nothing ….. Blissful?

12. Fresh fruits to quench the thirst, and somehow satisfied the hunger pangs. Included in the package, so don’t go denying your pieces of sweet pineapples/watermelons.

The day tour was pleasant, from the helpful guides with comprehensible English, to the brilliant (albeit slightly scorching) weather. Never push your luck and pick a day with gloomy weather, for it may seriously ruin your outing. We reached Ao Nang Grand Inn at about 5-6pm.

13. Sunset-watching on the beaches of Ao Nang …. bring your own towel though, for the sands was not exactly fine or smooth.

14. Clockwise from top left : Tom Yam Seafood, Massaman Chicken, Pad Thai, and Green Curry Chicken

For dinner, we strolled around Ao Nang, and ended up at this shack right before you reach the beach. Nameless, I might add, for the only signboard showed “THAI FOOD”. And this stall sells HALAL Thai-Malay cuisine, with emphasis on their curry dishes. In Ao Nang, as mentioned in this post, resides an admirable number of Thai Malays, hence the heavy influence of Malay style cuisine in the cooking.

The meal came to a mere 450 baht/RM45/USD13 for the 5 of us, as the dishes are priced at merely 40-70 baht each. Dirt-cheap, when compared to the other eateries along the beach. The Massaman curry is one of the signature dish of Krabi’s, resembling a yellow curry with extra coconut milk.

15. Erm, Clash of the Titans previewing early?

16. And we ended the day on a high note, literally “screaming” our wishes (for we did not carry a marker pen, and the guy did not provide one!) by setting a lantern (Kong Ming lantern) @ 100baht/RM10/USD3 each, afloat to the dark, starry skies … World Peace? Nah …..

Ao Nang is a very peaceful town come nightfall. You don’t hear throbbing sounds from the clubs (unlike Phuket’s Bangla Road), you don’t go shopping or sipping Starbucks in shopping centres (unlike Jungceylon in Phuket) and you don’t even get to sample a myriad of street foods at the night market (unlike Krabi town), although there were stretches of hawker stalls here and there.

What you can do is get yourself a good yet cheap rubdown (read : Thai body massage) while listening to the waves crashing on the shores of Ao Nang beach. Or you can sip on some beer at the random cafes/bistros/restaurants around the area.

Rejuvenating indeed.

For the previous chapters, please refer to the following link :

KRABI/PHUKET 2010 – ON THE SUNNY TRAIL

to be continued ……………