I’ve always wanted to do planking but too shy to do so. Since I’m not in my home country, somehow I’m braver, so I did it any way.

Here’s my first ever planking photo taken at New York Public Library @ Universal Studio Singapore! 

Damn *paiseh* coz my sis took ages to snap a photo and darn a lot of people looking. I planked there for so long that perhaps people would thought that I died or fainted. But err… nvm. I’m *thick skinned*. LOL.

Anyway, my plank is just so normal. Look at the rest of the plank photos here! Some people even plank on top of tigers!

After kayaking around Hong Island, we continued our journey to another island – Pakbia Island, which is also part of the Hong Group of islands.

Some photos of many other small island while on our way there.

There’s quite a few mangrove trees I saw while on the way. I’m not sure if those are planted after the 26th Dec 2004 tsunami that hit Thailand or it has been there all these while. Mangrove trees are actually a natural and cheap solution to tsunami. It can help reduce the devastating impact of tsunamis and coastal storms by absorbing some of the waves’ energy

Pakbia Island is North of Paradise Island, and the last northerly island of Krabi jurisdiction bordering to Phang Nga. It’s also renowned worldwide for their beauty and unique scenery.

One thing you’ll definitely realize that it’s a very quiet island. You don’t see many other tourist hanging out at that island, the quiet atmosphere of the beach is much appreciated. Oh, it’s really a small island!

I saw a fire camp there, so, you could actually go there for camping!

I think it’ll be really great, but take note there’s no fresh water there and I don’t remember seeing any public toilets there too.

There’s even a swing there! Imagine a night at the beach, sitting on the swing, swinging slowly, under the moon light with him playing the guitar singing or humming with it. How lovely!

One thing that this beach stands out from any other beach is that there’s a sand-bar which connects the two island together.

I just found out that you could also arrange for your wedding there! The wedding ceremony shall take place on a beautiful white sand-bar connecting two tropical islands.

You’ll be surrounded by a stunning landscape, and a clear blue ocean.

The tropical sun sets against the silhouette of the incredible landscape. Wow! How nice! View this link for more information. Personally, I think wedding by the beach is the best! Of coz, on a nice clean beach, else it spoil the whole romantic atmosphere.

Oh yeah… the water are really clear there. I guess not many people hang out at this beach, which is actually a good thing. So it’ll remain clean and quiet.

We didn’t hangout there for long before we left with the long tail boat to the next island which is Lading island, which has more to explore coz it was hit pretty hard by the Tsunami in 2004.

Okay… My bad. After writing a few post about Krabi then I wrote about events and fashion, and recently my missing dog, which she’s still not found. =( I wanted to continue with my Krabi post, really. It’s just that there were too many photos and gosh… I just hate filtering the photos! So many to choose from. Anyway, I’ve finally managed to filter out the photos and here I am! Continuing the post on Krabi.

So, we arranged for another Island hopping + Kayaking for our 3rd day of tour at Krabi. I’ve always wanted to try Kayaking but didn’t have the chance to do so, so I was pretty excited.

Like the past 2 days, the van picked us up from our hotel at about 8.30am.

The meet up point with the rest of the other tourist is at the beach.

Nothing much, just checking out the scenery around.

Today, we’ll be out to the sea with the long tail boat.

Although it’s just a long tail boat, I’d say it’s pretty fast too, thought not as fast as the boat we taken on our first day of island hopping.

Me enjoying the morning breeze.

Not too long after that we arrived at our destination – Hong Island.

There were actually some crew doing a commercial or movie shooting there too.

Our guide asked us to wear on the safety vest and hop on to the the canoe.

Ready for the sea kayaking!

We try to adjust our kayak speed so that we dun kayak at the same side at the same time.

I was trying my very best to use all my strength for paddle.

Okay, so kayaking wasn’t that tiring afterall. But that’s only becoz I was just cheating. I didn’t really kayak, coz my guide have hooked on a rope to our canoe, so he’ll kayak infront and my boyfie kayak behind. I was pretty much just enjoying the ride and the burning hot sun.

So, I basically just sit back and relax. =)

And enjoy the view, of coz!

When we reach a certain point, our guide told us not no kayak anymore, he asked us to relax and enjoy the view, he’ll kayak on his side and pull both of us. Gosh….

Imagine how much of strength he has, 3 of our weights should be added up to about 150kg!

Anyway, we were suppose to kayak over the whole island, however due to the weather and time constraint, we kayak for half island instead. Bout half way kaya round the island, there’s an opening to enter to the other wide of the beach on the island.

The view is pretty nice I would say.

There were other tourist there which arrive there from their long tail boat.

Our guide asked us to look into water and guess what we sees.

There are lotsa starfish!

Like, really a lot!

I’ve seen and eaten… star fruits like thousand times but it’s my first time seeing and touching a starfish!

I took one up and put it onto my hand and the arm of the starfish will slowly sink down.

If you ask me if the starfish is slimy, no it’s not. There are thousands of tube feet at the underside of the starfish which is something like torns but it’s not sharp which helps them to glide across the ocean floor.

There were also many other tourist which came down from their boat and enjoy a lil sea water.

One group of matsaleh took our attention away from the starfish.

So, why? coz they’re gorgeous looking? Erm… I would say so-so.

They were topless!

3 matsaleh gals proudly showing off their assets. But wow, they’re big! How could we take our eyes off them right?

Too bad I could only use my iPhone to snap the photos and I couldn’t zoom far enough. After we’re done watching them, it’s time to kayak back.

Again, I didn’t really kayak also. ;p

Saw a yacht from far away. Since I have nothing much to do, I just take the continuous shot of it sailing. It’s not like my iPhone has the continuous shot function, it’s me touching on the capture button continuously. It’s just a touch and picture will be captured anyway.

It sails, and sail. Then I saw boobies-lookalike hill.

I wonder if I was overdosed with boobies watching from earlier or not.

Anyway, we were soon pretty close to the yacht.

I have a thing for yacht, I just think sailing is amazing and hopefully one day I get my own yacht and sail around the world.

Soon after that we were pretty close to the beach already.

I checked my legs. Holy cow! My knees are so much darker now! like burnt even though I’ve re-applying my waterproof sunblock several times!

Barbecued knees, anyone?

After the Hot Sping in Klong Thom, our tour guide brought us to a-place-which-I-can’t-remember-the-name but it’s a rubber plantation.

We’re not there to harvest the latex but for elephant trekking instead!

Elephants are the largest living land animal on earth today and typically live up to 50-70 years.

Once we arrived, we saw water for elephant. No, not the movie “Water for Elephant” which stars Robert Pattinson.

It’s water for elephant to shower! We managed to see the handler bathing the cute and huge elephant. =) Then the elephant sun bath to try.

Oh, here comes our elephant and the handler!

If you’re wondering how we managed to get up to the elephant, we climbed up to the boarding tower and get to the seat on top of the back of elephant.

That’s me nervously getting to my seats with the help of my guide.

Woohoo~ Safely on the seat!

Finally boyfie and I are both on the seats on the elephant. Oh yeah, they only limit 2 people at once on the elephant and a handler, which I think it’s good so it won’t further burden the elephants.

Our legs rest on the rough and thick skinned of the elephant.

Here’s the butt of the elephant!

The handler sits on top of it’s head leading the elephant.

And our journey begins!

We were pretty excited and anxious of this journey with the swaying rhythm of the elephant’s footsteps.

It’s quite a rocky ride with each of the elephant’s foot step and we felt that the elephant walks pretty fast too!

Our elephant handler was really helpful by helping us to snap pictures of us enjoying the ride. But too bad I was just using my iPhone’s camera as something tragic happened to my compact camera.

But anyway, the memories are in my head. It’s my first time up close and personal with an elephant.

The 2 Matsaleh gals enjoyed their ride too!

Our elephant wanted to show how capable he/she is by trying to push one of the big log.

Then we got scared to death experience when it tries to commit suicide by banging the tree.

Nah…that’s all just joking. The elephant did no harm to any of us.

Our elephant was just pretty distracted and busy exploring with its inquisitive nose, probably sniffing for the best grass to eat. =)

The elephant stopped to enjoy his meal once awhile.

The Matsaleh gave the elephant a good rub.

And a kiss too~

Can you see that the elephant is so happy that it’s smiling?

After about an hour ride, it’s towards the end of our elephant trekking. We took a photo together with our elephant handler too.

After getting down from the elephant, we hugged and touched the elephant.

And of coz, a group photo and bought some bananas to feed the elephant before we left.

It’s quite an exciting experience which I will never forget. Elephants are amazing animal and the gestation period is 22 months, the longest of any land animal. They take many years for an elephant to grow and reproduce again. I don’t understand why people need to kill them for their tusk. =( Their tusks are used to dig for water, salt, and roots; to debark trees to eat the bark; to dig into baobab trees to get at the pulp inside; and to move trees and branches when clearing a path. In addition, they are used for marking trees to establish territory, and occasionally as weapons.

Anyway, the next day we went to Lading Island, Pakbia Island and Hong Island for kayaking! So, stay tuned!

After visiting the Emerald Pool (Sa Marakot), it’s already mid of the day and time for our lunch!

I looks rather fat and flabby here. =(

Anyway, I still gotta have my lunch, this dish looks like stir fried chicken in thai sauce.

Stir fried mix vege.

I think this is sweet and sour pork. But kinda stingy, I can count with my 5 fingers. Probably each person gets to each like half a small piece. LOL

Oh..On the way out, I peek through a 4-wheel drive car.

Saw this lil bear and baby pillow inside.

It makes me wonder if this belong to a kiddo or a grown up “baby”. LOL. But I guess it belongs to a kiddo, coz if belongs to an adult, it’ll be too precious to be put at the back of the car exposed out. It’s usually the most precious thing and well kept, but unwashed.

After our tour guide brought us to Hot Spring which is located at Klong Thom. It is located about 70km from Krabi town and near the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. Again, it’s also located right in the middle of the jungle.

Of coz, it’s not like a kilometer walk this time. It’s about 200m only. So, expect some walking.

The signs says that “Natural mineral water naturally spring up”.

Hmm…okay..looking at the place like this and thinking back of the Emerald Pool we went earlier, I was kinda doubtful of this hot spring.

And finally we’ve reach the hot spring.

These are totally au-naturel “bathtub” which are caused by the running water from the thermal springs. The “tub” isn’t that big and after waiting for awhile we finally found a space to submerge in.

Of coz, there’s a few “bathtub” there but I would prefer to go to the one on the higher ground. It’s cleaner coz the water flows from top to bottom.

This is actually more than just a hot spring, it’s also kinda like a jacuzzi as we could feel the rushing of the warm water which works like a massager for us releasing our muscle tension. This is more like the au-naturel jacuzzi.

The bottom of the pool is actually colder, so, you can actually move down after having enough of “hot massages”.

There’s a sign written that “For good health about 20 minutes.”.

So, I guess it’s better to not go too long. Anyway, many says that hot spring is good for health, mainly the blood circulation. You can read up here for the benefits of hot spring.

After the hot spring, our tour guide brought us to the museum (the boring part) and elephant trekking (most exciting part of the day!). So, stay tuned!

After visiting to the Tiger Cave Temple earlier on, we headed to Emerald Pool. It’s great to go for a swim at such hot weather.

There is an park entrance fee of 20 Baht for Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve where Emerald Pool is located. But if you joined the local tour like us, most likely the fees is already included in the tour package. Oh yeah, the area is quite huge and the pool is quite deep into the forest.

So, expect for some walking.

The river.

The mangrove.

When I said it’s quite deep into a forest, it is. Coz after walking for some distance, the sign shows that there’s still 800m more to emerald pool. That’s like almost 1km already!!! #$%^&*&^%$#@$%^&%#$@!$%

A glimpse of some part of the emerald pool.

I wonder why there’s no one swimming here as I was told it’s quite a popular place for tourist.

It looks as though the place is abandoned and that we’ve been kidnapped to this rural area.

But I know we’re not, coz along the way we saw a lot of tourist walking in and out of the area.

Finally, after bout hours and hours 30 mins of walking we’ve reach our destination – Emerald Pool, which is also known as Sa Morakot locally.

And yeah, it’s true that it’s a popular place. There’s so many people on such hot noon!

I can assure you that this pool is 100% natural.

I was quite reluctant to go into the pool as I saw there’s a lot of algae on the rocks and in the pool. But, that’s probably the main highlight of it. Depending upon the bacteria and algae content as well as temperature of the water, the colour of the pool changes. When the water temperature is high, the pool turns greenish blue; when the water temperature is low, the pool turns into pale-green. Amazing huh?

But, I still don’t understand why some people are so excited and even jump into THIS pool. It’s full of algae!!!

Besides, it’s really slippery, you may need a helping hand to get out of the pool.

So, please be very careful when you are walking on the edges of the pool, you may just slip anytime. It is very slippery due to the high calcium carbonate deposits.

Oh yeah, if you are planning to visit Emerald Pool, be ready to pack your towel, swimming suit/trunk, and wear sandals. You don’t wanna get wet and still wear the same wet clothing going to other places for the rest of your day right?

Our next stop is the natural hot spring in Krabi! So, wait up!

The first in list in the itinerary for second day of tour is the Tiger Cave Temple or which the local calls it Wat Tham Seua.

It’ll be a full day out again so I wore a singlet instead, oh yeah and pair it with the pair on pirated sunglasses I bought darn cheap there.

The arranged picked us up from our hotel at bout 8.30am.

Wat Tham Sua or Tiger Cave Temple is one of the most famous caves in the area. which is located about 9 kilometres from Krabi Town. It is part of a temple complex where monks live and worship within a maze of natural caves surrounded by lush jungle.

Here you can venture it up the hills.

There are two passages, one taking you up by 1200 steps to the hill top. The commanding view all around shall be worthy of taking the strain to climb the hill. The second passage is only 130 steps up and you reach the place where monks live in their small cottages.

Due to time constraints and such hot weather, Mr.BF and I decided not to climb up instead as it’s too energy consuming. Actually we’re just too lazy to walk such great distance on such hot sunny weather.

So, we walk around the area and visit to the temples instead. But, if you have the time and energy, do walk up as opur tour guide told us that the 360-degree views at the top are spectacular.

The temple is quite spacious.

We prayed and got the blessings from the monks there.

The whole area is full of caves and limestone rock formations. There’s this small path which leads to the area where the god of tiger lives.

Oh… Dun expect to see tigers here, there’s none.

The cave temple is aptly named because of the rock outgrowth nearby resembling a tiger’s claw.

I was wondering why do people always make a wish and throw coins in the temples?

Around the temple.

Me praying.

Since there’s no tiger lives here, there are dogs and puppies who lives here.

And I guess they are well fed there too. =)

Oh yeah, and you see plenty of monkeys.

They are every where!

Spot the monkey in this pic!

They’re always eating, eating, and eating.

They could be quite smart too.

Be really careful with your food, snacks, ice creams, and even drinks. Monkeys could be quite cheeky and snatch whatever you’re holding, including your camera!

I guess this is what they do mostly on their free time, other than eating.

The mummy monkey helps to catch the fleas and lice on the baby monkey. Looks damn skillful right? Like some kinda professional.

Saw something quite interesting, it’s grill eggs. The eggs are grilled like how our satay are being cooked.

We have Vitagen here and they have Betagen there. Hmmm.. I wonder if it taste the same.

After visiting to Tiger Cave Temple, our next destination is the Emerald Pool. So, stay tuned!

Spa or massages is one of those must thing to do when you’re in Thailand. Ever since I tried my first spa at Bali, I’m quite crazy over spa and it’s cheaper compared to Malaysia.

Since Tropical Herbal Spa & Resort is just beside the hotel I stayed (Aonang Goodwill), I walked in the day before to make a reservation.

If I’m not wrong, I took the package called Southern Discovery which includes the following:

• Floral Foot bath
• Tropical Herbal Scrub
• Herbal Bath
• Deep Tissue Massage

• Refreshment

It’s quite a back to the nature kinda feeling. You see lotsa greens at the resort area.

Checking out the gal’s body while passing by the pool area.

Nice figure! *envy envy*

The reception area

We were seated and have our foot being cleaned up which is the Floral Foot Bath.

After that, we were brought to the room for our spa treatment.

The place for massage

The massage area window

The place is kinda airy, it’s pretty cooling. But felt kinda insecure though coz we’re half naked covered with only a piece of cloth and the window is open, with only a thin curtain.

But anyway, you’re at overseas and no one knows you.

We then lie on the bed and the masseuse then continue with the Tropical Herbal Scrub by rubbing the scrub all over our body.

After the scrub, then we sink into the bath tub for the Herbal Bath which has lotsa flowers in it.

The bath area is also half open air, there’s side walls but there’s no roof at that area. I felt like I’m bathing in the jungle but with water heater >.<

During the herbal bath, they serve warm ginger tea.

And they serve fresh fruits too!

Wah..damn shiock! Get to enjoy a floral bath with refreshments! Felt like a queen!

After the Herbal Bath, it’s the moment that I’ve been looking forward to, the Deep Tissue Massage.

Mr. BF lying half dead preparing for his massage.

It was already dinner time when we finished our spa treatment.

Once upon a time… there were this gal, who stands beside the wall….. and… and… and… someone took a picture of her. – End of Story -

Okay, was just talking rubbish. But I do think this picture look kinda scary. Maybe coz of this blurry phone camera and the lighting of the place, and my stupid pose.

The massage was quite good but it’s quite pricey for me. The package is priced at 3,150 Baht, maybe coz the spa is located in the resort, usually it’s more expensive. Try it if you have extra moolah to spend there. Of coz, they have other cheaper services too.

But comparing the prices here and spa in Bali, I find that spa in Krabi is a lil more expensive than Bali.

Island hopping and snorkeling is something that you should not miss when you visit over to Krabi. Remember I told you about the tour packages I bought from a stall infront of 7-11? If my memory serves correctly, I bought a 3-days tour packages which include of snorkeling at a few places, kayaking, sigh seeing, hot spring, elephant trekking for only about 3000+ baht which I think it’s extremely worth it.

We decided to arrange for snorkeling on the first day.

There’s a pick up service about 8-8.30am from our hotel and transfer by speedboat to Phi Phi Islands about 45 mins.

Oh yeah..u can actually choose between a longtail boat or speedboat, of coz speedboat will save you a lot of time.

Our Captain

and our very sun-tanned boatman.

Hey, he’s very friendly!

According to our boatman, our captain is quite a hero. During the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004, he drives his speedboat and go against the huge wave of tsunami with  a boat full of people and tourist and survive. I gotta tell you, it’s not an easy task and he’s a hero coz you need the right skill to be able to go through this.

Oh yeah there’s this family of Matsaleh who sits beside us, the dad looks damn macho.

Then hor, the sons looks damn lengchai with the sunglasses. And I know how much does the sunglasses cost coz the pirated Ray-Ban is sold in Krabi also. But somehow, when Matsaleh wears it, it looks so authentic. =,=”"

Fetch another group of tourists here.

We passed by the very famous Chicken Island.

There’s a lot of chickens there centuries ago and they all died of starvation. I’m just joking. It’s not because this island is full of chicken nor the chickens died of starvation, it’s because the rocks form like a shape of chicken on that island. Probably there’s no chicken on that island anyway.

There’s so many small island or rocks around and I totally lost count of it.

The scenery is fantastic, it’s really breathtaking, you will regret if you never join for this tour.

We saw people kayaking too!

I’ll tell you about my kayaking experience soon! =)

We saw a yacht there too. How I wish I could sail a yacht one day.

I think the first place that we went for snorkeling is Lohsamah Bay.

Resting on the boat.

Heading to next destination!

Passed by the Viking Cave on our way to the next destination.

The water is so crystal clear and that we can see the corals clearly.

We head over to Maya Bay, the film location of the movie ‘The Beach‘ starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The place is packed with people. Maybe everyone wants to be like him.

We explored the island.

Not really, we were actually looking for loo.

And we found it!

I would suggest to explore around, it’s quite a nice place for photography.

With so many trees around, I’m like Jane in bikini waiting for my Tarzan.

Jane waiting for Tarzan to bring back dinner at Tarzan’s house hut.

Looks like Tarzan has a plantation.

We found a place that not many people go to.

Out of curiousity we climb up the stairs too.

Tadaaa! Nice scenery!

How I wish I could stay there for a night, enjoy a cuppa drink and enjoy the wind and scenery.

At the side of the rocks, there’s a hole. I’m not too sure what is that for but I think that’s the place where people learn on water rescue.

I think since the tsunami, they’ve put up a sign for Tsunami evacuation route sign.

On another note, I hate this pic actually, I look so freakin fat.

Very very cute lil gal.

The scenery from Maya Bay.

We had our lunch at a restaurant on Phi Phi Don Island.

Then, it’s snorkeling time again! This time we snorkel at the open sea at Hin Klarng.

And Mr. BF got “attacked” a school of fish.

More like attacking the piece of bread he was holding.

The tour of the day has ended and we arrive back at our hotel about 4.30pm. I’m really satisfied with the snorkeling trip, the scenery is amazing and it totally took my breath away.

Back at our hotel, we changed and went for the spa which we have booked a day before and headed out for dinner. More information up next!

So, STAY TUNED!!!

No. We don’t eat bamboo there.

They name it Bamboo Restaurant becoz the hut, the tables, and chairs are made from bamboo. It’s quite a nice concept and I kinda like the environment, like very relaxing lo.

I like their menu even more >.< It’s like attending identify spelling mistakes in english class when u’re looking through the menu to order for food.

I could guess that their FIHS is likely to be FISH, but I seriously got no idea what’s FINIEY. Can anyone tell me? is it a type of fish name?

They serve FIRED NOODLE, should someone order this when they got fired from work, or was it becoz they burn the noodle like how smoke salmon is prepared? Okay, I guess FRIED NOODLE is more like it.

They serve Satay with Pinut Soup. I couldn’t imagine how this dish should be prepared but it doesn’t look very appetizing in my imagination. Besides, what is Pinut? Pine nut? So, the short form is Pinut? Satay with Peanut Sauce is more like it.

We ordered for a cup of watermelon juice and pineapple juice. Drinking these at such environment kinda shiock, imagining that I am somewhere in Hawaii. lol

Pattaya

Tomyam soup is a must in Thailand!

BBQ/Grill fish skew

I think the fish was so-so only, but tomyam is nice =D

After the dinner we headed back to Aonang beach where all the shops are and look for a place for massage. A massage in Thailand is a MUST, there’s no excuse for not trying out the massage there. But I think the massage in Thailand is not as cheap compared to Bali but definitely still cheaper than Malaysia.

Besides, the massage there seems more authentic in a way. Is it becoz grass is always greener on the other side?

We took the shoulder and feet massage for about 30 mins or an hour which cost about 250 baht if my memory serves me right.

I love the ginger tea that they serve after the message. Feel very comfortable after drinking that and had a good night sleep.

Basically our first day we din do anything much, just chill around and checking out the area. =) We headed out to the sea the next day! Stay tuned!