Journals | Diary of a Housewife

Island Hopping + Maya Beach in One Day

Tina Pascual
Feb 4, 2020
2 min read

Updated: Aug 31, 2020

7 AM

Excitedly woke up, anticipating our island tour. We were greeted by a knock at the door for our trays of breakfast in bed. Few minutes later, the monkeys came over our balcony, hoping to join us with our meal. We enjoyed looking at them play while we eat (of course, the glass window is close).

8:30 AM

Went at our tour agency to wait for someone to accompany us going to the pier. We rode a bump boat together with about 15 tourists with us. They provided us bottled water and sandwiches for refreshment.

First Stop:

MONKEY ISLAND - Played with the primates that are on the island while swimming at the crystal clear blue water.

Passed by: CHICKEN ISLAND - A chicken-shaped iconic island.

Second Stop:

LOH SAMAH BAY - The bay is full of interesting limestone islets. The famous one is shaped like a mushroom head. This is where we snorkel to meet cute and colourful fishes.

Third Stop:

MAYA BEACH - Of course, the famous Maya Beach should be on the list. It is undoubtedly beautiful. However, we arrived during peak hours of tourists flock. Long tail boats are crowding the shore and visitors from around the world are dancing, swimming, reading and playing everywhere. I should say that the Island is very packed. Else, it is difficult to take a good photo because the people are all over the place. Even so, its beauty is undeniable. We regret not being able to go there very early in the morning where people are not yet on site, but we can only do it if we went by ourselves. By the way, authorities collected a small amount of baht for the island’s conservation fund.

Fourth Stop:

PILLEH LAGOON - The lagoon is enclosed by gorgeous, sharp and tall limestones. It is where we were again allowed to dive and snorkel with another class of fishes.

Passed by: VIKING CAVE - Disappointingly, just a stop. We just passed by while appreciating it. A group of tourist are not allowed to go there as locals do their living (collecting bird’s nest) on the cave. It is said that the cave owns drawings of primeval sailors who may be taking shelter during storms. Nevertheless, it was cool to see such a notable site in the island.

2 PM

Checked-out at the hotel and had a late lunch. Afterwards, we headed for our 2 hours ferry ride to Ao Nang, Krabi.

5:30 PM

Arrived at Ao Nang tired but safe. Ao Nang Beach was really majestic at this hour as the sunset rays reflect the beach's blue water. From pier, we road a public jeep for 30 minutes going to our hotel.

6 PM

Enjoyed our hotel which is surrounded by tall cliffs. Also, a mosque situated in front of our accommodation is a bonus attraction. After a few minutes, we decided to take the hotel's free shuttle going to the nearby town and had some local food dinner in an open air eatery beside the beach.

Thereupon, we strolled at the Walking Street where lots of interesting and cheap shops are.

As a couple, we love long night walks along the neighbourhood every time we travel. We shopped, tasted street food and observed culture. We roam around until our legs are unable to step further.

A Day at Phi Phi Island: Ferry from Krabi to Phi Phi

Tina Pascual
Jan 21, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Aug 31, 2020

8:30 AM

Fetched by a car we rented to take us for a ferry ride at Klong Jilad Pier.

9 AM

Our ferry bid good bye for a trip to Phi Phi Island. We enjoyed a 2 hours scenic ride. The limestone mountains and islets we came across are impressively gorgeous. Looking at the landscape made me thank myself for deciding to visit the place and to finally stand in front of it. Truly, the amazing nature is more beautiful in actual than seeing it in photos. In fact, it made me frustrated each time I took a snap. Any capture doesn’t do justice to the scenery. I strongly recommend to see it personally.

11 AM

We docked at Tonsai Pier. It was hot, busy and crowded. Summer time and peak season of the Island falls from January to April. Since we reserved a hotel at the top of the mountain, we are glad they provided someone to meet us at the wharf and help us carry our luggages.

11:30 AM

We booked at the east area of Tonsai where the action and night life are alive. Hotels are cheaper and restaurants are everywhere. But our accommodation is way up the foot of the mountain which we have to trek for a few minutes.

Our room had a panoramic view of the beach including the iconic sand bar of the island. It made our climb all worth it.

The hotel wasn’t famous and was actually cheaper than the majority around it. Perhaps because of the macaque monkeys that greets the guests early in the morning. The staffs actually warned us to close the balcony before we sleep to avoid the monkeys to feast and party inside our room. Other than that, it was a value for money.

12:30 NN

Surveyed and explored the neighbourhood. Partly, to have something for lunch. When we finally chose an al fresco restaurant, we ordered local food: stir-fried noodles and pork, and coconut and guyabano milkshake to quench our thirst.

1:30 PM

While walking with our full tummy, we saw a stairs going up the mountain. We were curious to find out where it leads. And so, we decided to find it out. Fortunately, it leads us to stages of a viewing point park.

The first stage or Viewpoint No.1 was an 8-10 minutes climb. As soon as you reached the top, there will be a cheap entrance fee in exchange of a colourful garden. This part is generally good for children and the elders. It is more of an amusement park and photo taking spots. Also, you will already see a good view of the sandbar that divides the 2 beaches.

Going further up was another 10-15 minutes walk. While we were hiking, the rain poured down. But since the view was enticing, we carry on until we saw a cottage. This signalled us that we were already at the second stage or Viewpoint No. 2. Tourist flocked at the shaded resto, some didn’t mind getting wet and are happily taking pictures. This viewpoint was astounding enough.

Before we took our first step to Viewpoint No. 3, we were warned that the trek is not cemented and it only fits people who knows how to hike and are properly attired. Since it rained, the path is muddy. Tourists we met along the way said it will take about 20 minutes more for us to get there. Because of these considerations, we declined to go further.

4:30 PM

We started going down to the street level and advanced at the beach. We sat there while entertaining ourselves with the view and watching the sea rise higher. Also, we considered swimming until it was dark for us to see each other.

6:30 PM

Walked back to our hotel to freshen up and prepared for dinner.

7 PM

Went out to dine. However, due to the partying crowd and noise, it took us a long while after we settled down for a local food in a small yet quiet eatery.

8 PM

Had fun on the streets. We shopped for souvenirs, watched the tourists enjoy, familiarised ourselves with the norms and tried street foods.

9 PM

We didn't have specific itinerary prepared for the next day. So we just booked a tour package going to the surrounding islands and the famous Maya Beach. Thank goodness, travel agencies offering sets of routes are everywhere on the streets.

10 PM

Blissfully put ourselves to sleep.

KRABI, THAILAND: Half-day Itinerary at Krabi Town

Tina Pascual
Jan 10, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Aug 31, 2020

12:15 AM

Arrived at the Krabi International Airport.

We pre-booked a car to take us from the airport to our hotel located at Krabi Town. Since public transportation in Krabi is uncommon and hardly available, we paid 500 baht or 17 usd for a 20 minutes private car ride. Nevertheless, our trip had multiple astounding views already. There were small sharply-shaped mountains scattered all over the area and their road traffic displays are fun with its monkey sculptures all over the street signages.

2 PM

Went out to stroll at Chaofah coastal park right after we arrived and freshened up at our sea view hotel.

From a distance, we can already see one of Krabi’s iconic symbol, the distinctively beautiful, Khao Khanap limestone mountain. It is shaped like a tooth and it protrudes from the water. We were already contented seeing it from afar when we came across a tourist information center. From there, we realised that we can actually hire a boat going to its cave.

3 PM

We booked a long-tail boat to take two of us to Khao Khanap Nam Cave. While waiting for our skipper, we decided to take our late lunch at Krabi Street Night Market (which actually opens at noon time) located just across the information center and overlooking the Pak Nam Krabi Bay. We had some barbecued chicken and pork.

Soon after, we hopped on the boat at the nearby Kong Kah Pier.

4 PM

Arrived at the Khao Khanap Nam Cave. We paid 30 baht or 1 usd each for entrance fee. We were then greeted by macaque monkeys. My anxiety towards them made me looked straight in the eyes of the aggressive one. Perhaps my eye contact made him feel agitated. So, he started to make bizarre noises and swiftly grabbed my wallet. I shouted out of fear and anger but he became more violent. Luckily, he went away when the staff came into my rescue and scolded him.

Though, I was relieved, it wasn’t a good experience. I started to think the “what if’s”. What if I wasn’t able to retrieve my money? What if the staff didn’t came to save me? What if the monkey had scratched or hurt me?

Anyway, the cave’s entrance is accessible via a man made cemented stairs. Like many other caves, it has an opening at the top where the light came in. What is unique in this cave is seeing few real ancient human skeletons. It was also known that during World War II, the Japanese soldiers had occupied the cave for shelter. In addition, there are displayed model sculptures that depicts the everyday life of cavemen.

5 PM

We travelled further to a floating restaurant and we considered it a tourist trap. Nevertheless, it was interesting since we don’t find something like this from where we came from. Though the foods and drinks are overpriced, we ordered a mango juice as a courtesy.

Afterwards, we strolled behind the restaurants and realised that there was an interesting floating mini residential area.

6 PM

Went back to the town proper and wandered along the alley to search for a unique restaurant to dine. Most of the eateries and shops are vintage in style. Like, many Asian stores, it is also where the owners resides. If they’re kind enough, they allow tourists to take a peek of their humble abode.

We decided to have dinner in a restaurant that almost looked like a museum of the 70’s. It displayed a fascinating classic pieces that brings a nostalgia to our birth year.

7:30 PM

Walked towards Krabi Town Night Market where locals and foreigners flocked for cheap food and loud night. Out of curiosity, we ate in one of the stalls to taste a typical Krabi dishes. What we had is not outstanding though, but its good to try for experience.