Thailand Part IV (The End)

Now to the part that most people go to Thailand for, the beaches. From Chiang Mai we flew to Krabi in the South part of Thailand. This was a bit of an adventure because the day before we were to depart we discovered our flights were messed up. Not only were Susan and I on different flights, we were booked on different days! Fortunately we were able to get it somewhat worked out. We still weren't on the same flight but we did travel on the same day. Notice I didn't say we flew to the same city. Susan had a 15 minute cab ride from the airport to the hotel. Mine was an hour and a half. But, no harm, no foul.

What did we do in Krabi? Not a lot. Spent a fair bit of time walking on Ao Nang beach, swimming in the Andaman sea and chillin' at bars along the beach. One day we rented a scooter to explore a little farther afield and visited the NaTin Spicy Garden. There we met a retired French Pharmist that had lived in Thailand for years. He took us for a walk around his garden and explained what each plant was and what it was used for, whether it be spices or used in the production of medications. It was a fun and interesting visit.

Leaving the garden I made my only mistake on the scooter. In Thailand, one drives on the left side of the road. I left out from the garden and met someone that was in the right, that being left, head on. Fortunately neither one of us was moving very fast and he seemed to find humor in the dumb tourist that wasn't sure what side of the road to be on. No collision, just embarassement on my part.

Now for a few pictures.

Our hotel had an interesting pool. If your room was on the first floor you could walk out of your room to a "canal" where you could swim to the main part of the pool.

Longboats beached at the end of their tourist runs to a selection of islands. We did not do this but would if we go back.

Hat NopparatThara Beach was a short scooter ride from our hotel but we also walked it a time or two. This beach isn't as nice for swimming which is why it isn't near as crowded as Ao Nang.

The view from one of the bars we'd stop at for an afternoon cooldown.

We didn't find as much street food here, its's much more touristy and had lots of restaurants. Amazingly, a lot of Italian restaurants. Just down from our hotel was a cart that sold fruit filled crepes for breakfast. We made that stop every morning.

That pretty much covers our trip to Thailand. We flew back to Bangkok for one night and then home. It's a long flight but it was so worth it.

Now it's back to Texas and what we've been doing around here.

Take care.
Brian