By Our Regular adventure Solo Treks on weekends in Sahyadri Mountain Range and some long drive, Road trips (Goa and Gokarna) by car, we had developed enough confidence to have Solo international Trips.
For international Trips I had 2 options i-e to go East or West, in west, Europe being far and costlier and various terms and conditions of Visa, I found east is full of clear beaches, bit cheaper and Visa on Arrival facility, so we decided to start our international journey with eastern part of the World.
As never had any international trip exposure nor we had and chat with any experienced Solo Traveller so had no idea of Wondering and we took official leave of just 5 working days (total 8 days, add Saturday and Sunday + 1 day rest on return)
Now the international Destination was Final and it was Thailand.
There are many places to visit in Thailand and I had just 7 days, so I had to be selective in places to Visit.
I googled a lot read some blogs and found that Krabi and Phuket in Thailand are the best option for first time Solo Traveller.
Now everything was planned and we Left India from Mumbai.
We Landed in Bangkok at around 1pm.
Now the time of Stamping Passport, the 1st international outing, for which my Passport was waiting from Years :)
Things needed for VOA - Visa on Arrival
i) ID pic of 4x6
ii) min of 10k TBH/ person
iii) Passport - Having sufficient pages and expiry date should be more than 6 months
iv) min 1 night hotel booking
v) Visa charges - 2k TBH/person (during my time, but some times there are Waivers on Visa charges)
As Thailand is Favourite Tourist destination, it took 2 hrs to stand in que and get the 1st international stamp on my Passport.
Now the Question is how to reach Krabi ? As it's around 800km from Bangkok.
There are many ways (Road and Air), but the most economical way is Public transport from Southern bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) it's around 18 to 20 km from Don Muan Airport.
The Public bus is very luxurious it will cost around 450tbh/person (around 1k rs) and as you will be spending night in bus, so it will save hotel charges.
We got out of Airport, 1st thing we did is purchased Sim Card and booked a cab to Southern bus Terminal.
The Southern bus terminal is very busy place, it is very clean and hygienic, we cannot compare to any of our Govt bus station.
As it was clean and hygienic, so we got fresh there only. Had some food, Fruits and did some shopping.
The cost of food and clothes very cheap, we had bus at around 8pm so spent some time hanging there.
Finally boarded bus and left to Dream destination Krabi..
Before visiting Krabi, our plan was as given below.
Day i) Visit places around Krabi Town
Day ii) island Trip
Day iii) island Trip
Day iv) island Trip
Day v) Places around Krabi
Day vi) Palace in Bangkok
We reached Krabi Town at around 8am..
The climate was awesome, on Bus Stop we hired a bike (250tbh/Day)
Before hiring ensure that all is fine with bike (brake, light, indicators.. etc etc) if possible take pics and video of bike in front of owner.
The hotel we booked was amazing, as soon as we reached hotel, we enjoyed in swimming pool, had breakfast and left for outing on bike.
It was my first international driving/riding, I was excited and nervous.
Excited bcos - 1st time riding outside India
Nervous bcos - If any accident, then am gone, as I didn't have international driving permit nor any medical insurance.
So people please ensure that you carry international driving permit and Insurance.
Places we visited around Krabi Town
i) Wat Kaew Korawaram
It's beautiful Buddhist temple, built around 150 yrs before.
A majestic staircase lined by golden Naga sculptures leads up to the 2,500sqm terrace on which the temple stands. Featuring different colours - white walls and dark blue tiled-roof - than standard Thai Buddhist temples (usually coloured in red and gold) Wat Kaew Korawaram’s ordination room features splendid wall paintings, a large Buddha statue, and some precious Buddha relics. On the temple terrace, visitors can find Wat Kaew Holy Amulets & Souvenir Shop, as well as food and drink stalls.
ii) Khao Khanab Nam
Standing at 100 metres tall the stunning Khao Khanab Nam Mountains are one of Krabi’s most famous landmarks. These majestic natural wonders act as the gateway to Krabi city with the river running between the two limestone cliffs forming a widely photographed beauty spot.
iii) Outdoor riding on beautiful roads, Exploring the village life.
The climate was awesome and roads were beautiful, due to which we planned to explore the village life + village food.
Many people Around here don't understand English, so best way of communication is Google Translator, here we need to speak in English and the Translator speaks in Thai Language, it was just surprising and was very helpful.
The next day we got up early, had breakfast, returned our bike and left to Ao Nang beach.
Ao nang beach is the place from where all Island Trip starts.
In island trips our first trip was 7 island trip.
The trip cost was around 800tbh/person which includes, pick up from hotel, island trips, lunch, Snorkeling, fire show, BBQ dinner and drop back to hotel.
A unique experience.
The 7 Islands sunset tour runs every day.
It departs about 2 PM for a great adventure which includes Daeng Island, here we did Snorkeling
Tang Ming Island
Tup Island - Tup island along with Koh Mor are two tiny islands separated by a sea pathway of sand through the sea bed – it looks so beautiful.
Poda Island - Very calm and beautiful island
Chicken Island - it can be seen through boat, but cannot go.
Sii Island - Snorkeling
Phra Nang beach - here we went to see fluorescent plankton.
At night we can see some fluorescence in water, it's really beautiful and cannot be explained in words, you need to see it.
Ending day at Railway beach with BBQ and fire show.
Hong Island Tour
It includes visiting 3 beautiful places
i) Lao lading island
On this island there are two small bays with sandy beaches and there are some beautiful views around the island.
The beaches here are not really wide but they are very picturesque and provide some good shady areas where you can rest on a hot day and enjoy the sounds of a gentle sea.
ii) Koh Hong/Hong Island
The spectacular rock formations and The Natural Lagoon make it in the iternary of very tourist.
There is only one way to enter this inner lake; the entrance channel’s width is about 10 metres, therefore you can easily get in with a long-tail boat or a kayak.
Here The water is not deep, it's just about a metre, perfect for swimming.
iii) Hong bay
It's the combination of beautiful limestone mountains and transparent water, which makes its very picturesque.
Phi Phi island..
Phi Phi island is near to Phuket (means far from Krabi) so to reach here from Krabi you need to go via Speed boat.
Our before journey was through Long Tail boat, so we could take many photos boat, but it was journey through Speed boat, had no experience of Speed boat.
When we gathered on boat we had got the front seat, the tour guide said the people sitting ahead just hold the railing and enjoy, I was bit confused by this sentence, but my confusion got cleared within few mins.
The speed boat was so fast, it was beyond imagination, the whole journey was bumpy, to save time this was the only option, the view of Sea, Sky and Mountains was amazing but hands were stuck in catching railings so couldn't click the pics.
In this trip we covered below places
i) Viking Cave
ii) Monkey beach
iii) Bamboo island
iv) Maya Bay
v) Pileh Bay
vi) Lohsamah Bay
Viking Cave - Famous for its limestone cave and wall paintings, but recently there is restricted bcos, earlier birds were hunt for some Chinese soup, now these birds are preserved, so entry restricted.
Monkey beach - The name itself describes it.
The water is transparent, but ensure that all food items and expensive material already packed in bag.
Bamboo island - This is in the last part of this trip.
The island has all Bamboo trees and many hotels, ensure that you don't waste time in hotels and enjoy swimming in the beach.
Pileh Bay - Pi Leh Bay is one of the most impressive sites on Koh Phi Phi Leh. Also known/spelled as Ao Pileh, Pileh Lagoon, Pileh Cove or Pi Ley Cove, it is like a canyon, almost cutting Koh Phi Phi Leh in two. Located on the eastern side of the island, a few hundred metres south of Viking Cave.
Here halt is for around 1hr in this time you can take beautiful pics and do snorkeling.
Loh Samah Bay - again here there is beautiful limestone mountains and water quality is good.. it's one of the best place for snorkeling, I will definitely add happy memories to your trip.
Maya Bay - During our time May Bay was under maintenance, so we couldn't see it. We missed one of the best place in the World.
We done all possible island tours from Krabi.
Still we had 2 more days. Now in this remaining time, we decided to visit Emrald Pool, Hot Stream Waterfalls and same Day leave to Bangkok.
Emarald Pool -
To visit here we again hired a bike, again the road journey was awesome with smooth road surrounded by beautiful mountains.
Krabi Emerald Pool is a unique attraction in southern Thailand. Krabi is well-known for areas of outstanding natural beauty and one place that should make your must-see list is the Emerald Pool in the Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, an unusual lowland forest rich in bio-diversity, complete with a nature trail and a crystal pond.
Entrance fee 100 tbh.
We enjoyed seeing the beautiful Emerald pool, if you discover the forest, there you will come across blue pool, which is very picturesque, but during our entry was restricted, so we missed this blue pool.
After Emerald We left to Krabi Hot Springs as it's nearby so we didn't need long time to reach Hot Springs.
The name itself tells what is it, it's beautiful streams of water then at the end there are cubes where we can sit and enjoy the hot Water.
At the end of the day we reached Krabi, returned the bike and left for Bangkok.
Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha.
It was our last day, we reached Bangkok at around 9 to 10am, again it was Southern bus Terminal, we kept our luggage in Clock room, got fresh and left for Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha temple.
The palace and temple is very beautiful and must be visited when you in Bangkok. Entrance fee is bit higher, but worth. The place is bit crowded so visit early morning. Again there is dress code for men and women, if you didn't carry extra clothes, not to worry, there you can get clothes on rent and you can enter the palace and temple.
Later in the evening we completed our tour and left to India.
Entire Thailand is beautiful, and I visited only KRABI...
What I missed in Thailand ???
Chiang Mai
Phuket
Surat Thani
To visit above places you may need another 10 days, I missed them bcos of less number of days...
Before I end I would like to say
“We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.” ...
You can Explore more only when you think “People don't take trips, trips take people.”
Travel, Explore and Enjoy
