Thailand

We arrive to Ao Nang around 10:30am and the sky here is crystal clear and the weather not as hot as it was in Phuket. The first thing they had us do was transfer from the big boat and into a longtail boat, our first longtail boat ride so far. The motorized boat took us into Ao Nang, where they transferred us yet again, into this huge wagon with a steel cage, apparently for support--though I doubt it'd support us in the case of an accident. They continue taking us into the town of Ao Nang, dropping people off in random spots. Since H and I didn't really have a place to stay yet, we got off somewhere in the middle and proceeded to walk on foot (with our backpacks) in the hot sun to find a guesthouse for the night. We must've gone to about 10 different places before H found a decently priced one, the 'For You Guesthouse', our lodging for the next two nights in Krabi.

H: Poor Christi was tired and had to use the RR so of course she wanted to stop and the first place she could and rent a room. And although I'm sure because it was hot and we were tired, it SEEMED like 10 places, we actually went to about 4. Good thing we did. The guest house was about half the price of the first places we looked at.

Christi writes:

After walking around in the heat and humidity, sweaty, irritated and hungry, I was going to kill someone if we didn't find lodging real soon!

Our guestroom was pretty neat, but the ceilings were slanted so the only time we could fully stand up was when we were in the middle of the room. I can't tell you how many times I hit my head against the side during my entire stay.

The 'penthouse' is basically, the roof of the building converted into a bedroom, and the patio area leading to the roof was converted into a restroom. We had one of those showers right over the toilet, but the view from our restroom was amazing. Not too often can you shower with the sun beating down on you, while you are looking out into the water.

After unpacking, resting for a bit, and walking around the shops, we decide to hit the beach and go for a nice long swim.

Krabi definitely is a lot calmer and slower paced than Phuket. We both agree that this is definitely our favorite spot so far. The beaches are still beautiful, probably more so than Phuket, and there are less tourists here too. Also, we didn't see too many prostitutes out here either. There were some, maybe a handful that we could tell, but not like it was in Patong.

After swimming, we walked to the Family Mart around the corner from our guesthouse and bought some bottled water and snacks for our hotel room. It was interesting to see all the different flavors of chips that Thais deem delicious.

Even more surprising-- what they put on the labels of their cigarette packs. Really disturbing images, but I can see the scare tactic used to dissuade people from buying them.

We went back to our guesthouse and showered, then napped! When we awoke, we went downstairs to have dinner (as guests of the hotel, we get 10% off!). We ordered the Menu no. 4, which for the price of 280 baht, you get shrimp cakes, Tom Yum Goong, rice, and ground chicken with lime, basil and chili. As I was drinking the Tom Yum soup, I bit into a piece of green onion. My mouth started to burn and tingle when I realized that I had just chewed on a piece of Thai chili. My mouth was on FIRE. I've never had anything so spicy in my life ever! As soon as I spat it out, I downed the rest of my Singha, H's Singha, a whole bottle of water and my mouth was still burning. H ordered a fried ice cream, knowing that the only solution to put out the flames was dairy, but that took 30 minutes. By the time it arrived, we had started talking to Helen and Paul, the couple sitting at the table next to us and by then, the spiciness had begun to subside.

After dinner, we walked around and I needed to barter for a top and a pair of shorts. I lost one of the two tops I had brought with me, must've dropped it on the street after the beach, and I wasn't about to wear just one shirt for the remainder of the trip so, I desperately needed to buy another one. Whilst shopping, we see yet, another Christmas tree.

After shopping and walking around for a bit, Hassan and I decide to go get some beers. We run into Paul and Helen again! Ao Nang afterall, is a small beach town. We decide to join them for a few drinks. While we were there, the Thai bar waitress came over and gave us all massages, while referring to Helen and Paul as 'Mama' and 'Poppa', H and I as 'Brother' and 'Sister'. The Thais like to refer to the older couples as Mama and Poppa for some reason. Hearing that must propel one into old age, wouldn't you think?

I knew before coming to Thailand that we'd be seeing strays everywhere we went. So far, its been true. But, I was surprised to see how well fed they are! A good surprise.