Hong Island by Krabi Kingdom

We booked a 1-day tour package which comprised of a trip to 4 places - Hong's Lagoon, Hong Beach, Lading Island and Daeng Island. But the sea was rough and the tour guide decided to skip Daeng Island. We went straight to Paradise Island (Lading Island), in which we managed to find a private spot on the right side of the beach. Snorkelling was fine - there were fishes, but it's never as nice as Koh Samui. The corals were not alive, the fishes were not varied and the water was somewhat murky.

One nice spot was Hong Lagoon. The water was calm and swallow, though the boat didn't allow for much time to rest. Another nice place was the Hong Beach. Many tourists invaded the white sandy beaches and I felt that there was this rush element in maximising our stay on the island. 2.5 hours on this island wasn't enough. For if I had a whole day, I would have just lazed at the beach, walked along the coastline and read a book for leisure. But time is not my side. Will time be on my side when I start looking towards retirement?

Ao Nang Boat Noodle

We spent 3 nights and 3 wonderful dinners in Ao Nang, Krabi. Because we figured we won't be coming back here soon, we scouted for 3 different restaurants to taste the Thai delicacies. Our findings - Ao Nang Boat Noodle came up tops - we had the most food in terms of quantity, we had the cheapest food 440 baht (S$ 17.75) for 2 people and we tasted the most delicious food.

The walk towards the restaurant was a little long; we had to ask 2 locals for directions to ensure that we were on the right track, but it was definitely worth the walk. . The pad thai was enough for one. With a price tag of 50 baht, it was equivalent to any roadside stall, but it was Krabi's best pad thai we ever had. The pineapple rice was interesting filled with cashew nuts. The drinks were cheap; their service was prompt.

Kayaking amongst Ao Thalane's nature

We decided to go kayaking amongst the mangroves. But there are at least seven companies selling similar tour packages. We compared 2 decent tour companies, before deciding to choose a 1/2-day kayaking package. We can't be sure if we got a well-organised tour company. Afterall, these tour agencies act only as middlemen. But we are pretty sure we bought a value-for-money package at 450 baht (S$18.15) per person.

For that price, the tour guide picked us up from our hotel. (For once, we were terribly late.) He offered fruits and drinking water to us, explained how the route would be, kayaked with the 6 of us in Ao Thalane, showed us the wildlife-filled mangroves and sea cliffs. It was a relaxing 2.5 hour journey, except for the last part. He rushed into the narrow passage between the mangroves before the tides could fill them up, thus making the effort of kayaking more tedious.

Nevertheless, I appreciated the journey to experiencing the towering canyons, interestingly-shaped mangroves, marvellous rock formations.

Diamonds and Princesses in Railay?

Railay (also spelled as Rai Leh) is just around the corner from Ao Nang and Krabi town, but is protected by impenetrable cliffs. This completely cuts the peninsula off from the mainland. The only way to get to Railay was by long-tail boats. It was also mentioned that developments - in the form of coconuts palms and lush gardens are neatly tucked away. Though it is true, I also noticed new developments - in cramped and remote corners. I wondered if the current resorts in Railay are even profitable, considering the slow pace of life - where shops close at 5pm - and limited access to this area - where boats return to mainland at 6pm.

Even finding directions in this non-tourist friendly place was difficult. Eventually, after getting lost and asking 2 locals, we managed to locate Diamond Cave (Tham Phra Nang Nai). It costs 40 baht (S$1.60) per person - for a walk on wooden boardwalks through a series of illuminated caverns full of beautiful limestone formations. It was interesting to marvel at the wonders - e.g. how Railay was separated from Mainland by such limestone formations, how such limestone formations exist amidst beautiful beaches or how such caves appear for us to appreciate them.

Diamond Cave is also known as Inner Princess Cave. Through whatever I could understand from their poorly written A4 posters, legend has it that a family met with some crisis and summoned Praya-Nahk, the Great Serpent of the Sea. He heard their prayers and rose to the surface, granting them their wish for a baby girl. However, the serpent had a condition that the girl - who was called Princess - had to marry his son. Years later, the promise was broken and that led to the formation of these caves.

I only wished that these caves could be (i) more tourist-friendly by having English posters & directional sighs, and (ii) more photography-friendly by having more lights at prominent locations to allow us to enjoy the nature's beautiful piece of work. Would 'Praya-Nahk' be able to grant these wishes?

The Long-tail Boat to Railey

Much was said about Railey. Though it is on mainland, it cannot be reached by roads. What it also meant is that Railey has no motorised vehicles in its vicinity. (It sounded somewhat like Venice too.) Railey is shielded from the rest of Krabi by huge limstone hills. Protected away from noise of any popular beach resorts, Railey gives the feeling of a private beach. Hence, we have to take the long-tail boats to get there. Long-tail boats depart from Ao Nang Beach to Rai Leh West. It costs 200 baht (S$8.10) for a return trip - 20 mins per way.

There are 3 amazing things I learnt from this simple boat ride. (i) The boat needs to be filled with 10 people before it will leave. We wanted to head to Rai Leh on the afternoon of our 1st day. But as the day gets darker after 3pm, it becomes an increaing pain to wait for people who want to go to Railey in the late afternoon. Time intervals between each long-tail boat is an uncertainty. Exclusive beach - indeed it was; more so in the low season.

(ii) There is no pier. The boat ride was a simple one; it was interesting because it was our 1st time taking a long-tail boat; it was fasticating to see the tall limstone formations as the boat ferries us across. But to enjoy the boat ride, everyone has to walk out into the sea, immerse themselves in 60cm of sea water before getting onto the boat.

(iii) The last boat leaves Railey at before 6.00pm. We didn't want to undergo the possibility of being bumped out of the last boat nor spend the night at Railey. Hence, we headed back to board the 2nd-last boat at about 5.20pm. That boat was over-filled with 14 people, but all of us returned to Ao Nang safely before night falls. What was interesting was why ferries services stop early. Was it because the beach was exclusive? Or was it because the boaters needed to rest & head home for dinner?

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I feel engergised after attending the course - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It was a motivational, soul-searching course conducted by an energetic and experience trainer. Then again, most trainers usually make participants go on a high after the course.

During the course, I asked myself many questions - to reflect on my current activities & to ask if I can make a paradigm shift in order to be a more effective young man. But the most important thing I learnt is not the knowledge from the books, the wisedom from Steven Covey or the pointers from Michael the trainer. To be a highly effective person - requires significant efforts to build new habits and lose old ones. I can say that I have learnt a lot. Though to have said that I have become a more effective person, I can also comment on that statement 7 weeks later. Hopefully, I take 1 week each to review and implement each of the recommended 7 new habits I will pick up.

Dream Cones vs Haagen Dazs

It was our 1st afternoon at Krabi. We decided to plan ahead for our next 2 days, hence we carried out some shop-to-shop research & purchased our next 2 days of tour packages. With that accomplished, we decided to explore the streets of Ao Nang.

On a hot and humid day, we walked past Haagen Dazs as one of our 1st few shops. It was crowded, thus we decided to have a look. One of the most basic ice-cream dishes costs about 290 baht (S$11.70). Maybe it was cheaper than the retail prices in Singapore. Maybe it was a day in which tourists decided to splurge. But we didn't see it that way.

We walked on & settled at the next ice-cream shop - 3 stalls away from the branded ice-cream shop. Calling it 'Uncle Bear', it sells Gelato at an affordable price. We bought a 2-scoop ice-cream for 130 baht (S$5.25). Definitely, it was cheaper than Haagan Dazs. Definitely it fitted our budgets whilst we took a break away from the scorching sun.

Yet it wasn't crowded. Yet we felt that it was a much better deal. Maybe the value of ice-cream is relative. Our gelato is relatively cheaper than Haagan Dazs, whilst the latter is relatively cheaper than a similar ice-cream experience in Singapore. If relativity is the key, then what determines the result of any comparison is probably how we choose to benchmark it. In my eyes, it was Dream Cones - 1, Haagen Dazs - 0.

Planning for Krabi International Airport

As I entered Krabi via its international airport, I noticed an aiport that is clean and spacious. Developmental work has went into it and I was pleased that the Thais got this part of airport planning right.

Planning Starts a Decade ago
Through literature research, the statistics of Tourism Authority of Thailand has noted that most of the tourists come to Krabi by car. There was a limit of Krabi Airport then as it could not accomodate 400-seated aircraft, such as the Boeing 747-400. Hence, tourists then travelling by Boeing 747-400 from abroad had to disembark at Bangkok International Airport before continuing their trip to Krabi by road. .

Thus, the Ministry of Transport then was assigned to developed Krabi Airport through the Development of Civil Aviation. It launched the Krabi Airport Development Plan and constructed it during 2003-2004 at the cost of 743 million THB. Till date, as I went through the immigration counters and the baggae claim areas, it still looks brand new.

Development Continues Even in 2012

Even though the terminal is not congested, Krabi Airport started using another new terminal for domestic flights since April 2012. Calling it Terminal 2, it serves all domestic flights including Air Asia and Bangkok Airways. For all international flights and Thai Airways International flights, the current terminal will be used, which now calls itself Terminal 1.

Though I questioned why the expansion came at an early phase, this advanced planning of the Thai Ministry has given the airport much room for expansion. Structurally, the check-in counters are situated all on the left-hand side of Terminal 1. This results in synergy and manpower savings. However, with only 10 departing flights a day, I wondered if much manpower savings can be derived from operating 2 new terminals simultaneously. Maybe their upcoming peak season (Nov onwards) will prove me wrong.

Extending the Runway Capabilities without upgrading the Taxiway

I noted that the the asphaltic concrete runway was extended to a length of 3,000m and a width of 45m - capable of landing a B747-400. However, the parallel taxiway remained at a length of 1,209m and width 23m. What this means - is that their development reflects an expected growth to handle bigger, long-haul flights, but the taxiway system still under-developed reflected a low aircraft movement. Aircrafts have to remain on the active runway for a relatively longer period - due to the short taxiway located only on 1 end of the runway, without any rapid exits. 

Bandung: Kawah Cibuni (Cibuni Crater)

Besides the more commercialised 'Kawah Putih' in Bandung, there is one more crater in Mount Patuba called Kawah Cibuni. Not many people have visited this place or even heard of it. To get there, you first have to go to the Kawah Putih area, then keep on going until you pass a huge tea plantation area. After a few kilometers, you will be able to see this place on your left. There, you will see some overlaying stones with a touch of sulfur, some hot springs, and a boiling volcanic dirt pool.

Thankfully, we are not required to find our way there ourselves. Whilst this crater is not tourist-friendly, it also gives us the ability to appreciate the beauty of nature. The mini-van stopped at what seemed like a old guard post. From there, we walked about 1,000m to the crater. Surprisingly, it wasn't a tiring walk upslope. We enjoyed the walk - quiet, enchanting and yet simply rustic.

We had lunch at the only eatery together with our tour guide - Mamum Rustina (ajimara@yahoo.com). Whilst he bought food for us, he brought his 'packet food' and chatted with us & the stall lady. Lunch was simple, but the thought of dining in a crater made it a different experience. To see the simpler side of life brought joy into me. Children playing soccer on a small flat area along the volcano's steep slope, a small girl wanting to play with the children, a old lady hanging clothes to dry amidst the air filled with sulfur.

Walking in the crater - was the most amazing sight I even experienced. Maybe I know that it was indeed a lifetime experience, where I smelled and touched sulfur, experienced hot springs, walked through a hot mud lake, saw a cold mountain stream merge with the hot volcanic water.