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Part 81: Ao Nang...*
After such a wonderfully relaxing time, and fully recharging my batteries, it was hard to leave Koh phi phi behind - but knowing we were on our way to another paradise beach resort softened the blow somewhat.
On the way back to Krabi town the port was really busy with dozens of ferries lined up along the pier and hundreds of the same impatient tourists eager to get on board the transportation boats - but it was still enjoyable cruising the crystal blue Andaman sea, if not a little choppier this time round though.
I couldn't help but notice a girl who looked like she was really suffering from sea sickness, the look on her face said it all! but her friends didn't seem that sympathetic for some reason; then I maybe realised it was a bad hangover instead.
Suddenly she held her hands up to her mouth, and projectile vomited through her fingers on the deck, right where the luggage was stacked. It sprayed everywhere; not the best thing to see on a swaying boat, I can assure you!
Luckily for her we weren't to far from Krabi, and soon as the ferry pulled up to the port, me and the girls stood back whilst the passengers took turns to avoid the big pile of smelly vomit to get to their bags.
One particular guy who wasn't really paying any attention to his surroundings, slipped up, then hilariously managed to lose both his flip flops, finally ending up flat on his face in the middle of the pile of sick! He was completely covered!!
I didn't know wether to laugh or cry the moment he actually realised what it was - but the poor guy was horrified.
We waited till almost everyone got off the ferry, to avoid any mis-haps, then carefully got our bags, whilst holding my breath as by now the smell was horrendous. Luckily for us we made it off with no slip ups.
I booked a hostel somewhere near the girls beach resort in Ao Nang which I was really dreading after that luxurious hotel in Koh phi phi. It was going to be such a come down for me. Especially when the cab dropped us off first at their luxury apartment complete with outdoor jacuzzi! Once inside, I did notice a large sofa as well but felt I didn't want to intrude on the girls privacy any more - so I didn't say anything.
None of us had done that much research on Ao Nang, so we arrived here with no reservations and little expectations which made it more exciting - and by the time the girls unpacked their luggage and settled in, it was early evening.
This was a touristy destination with its rows of shops selling swimwear and waterproof bags, tour agencies, massage parlours, restaurants and bars etc - but it wasn't overly busy or in your face, quite the opposite in fact.
This was the part of the trip that we would be staying put the longest, and judging by what we had seen so far, with its long beaches; none of us were in the least bit disappointed.
Well, apart from me when I reached my mosquito infested hostel; talk about coming down to earth with a bump. And to further rub salt in wounds, the aircon didn't work either; it was a long night!
Maybe I had it too good in Koh Phi Phi, or maybe I didn't fancy getting devoured by insects - but first thing in the morning I was so eager to check out that I didn't even bother washing in the outdoor shower. Instead walking straight back to the girls apartment and asked if they minded if I was to crash on that comfy looking sofa for the rest of the stay in Ao Nang; and luckily for me again, they agreed.
The complex that the hotel was on had an amazing pool and private beach where you could happily relax all day. Plus being right on the main strip that caters mainly for package holidays, there were dozens of tour operator booths and agencies everywhere. Although a lot of them were not exactly within my travel budget, but if need be I would've happily chilled by the pool or beach, whilst Anna and Lindsay made the most of any of the excursions they decided to do. I didn't want to hold them back in anyway, but Anna insisted I went on the half day elephant trek with them.
We took a small pickup truck to the camp, which was near the borders of the national park at Phanom Bencha through some forestation and villages for around an hour until we reached the elephants, just as it began hammering it down with rain.
I had already been to an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai that focused on caring for any mistreated elephants, and for a brief moment I feared that might not be the case at this particular one. But on a positive note there were hardly any tourists here at all, and the guides seemed really friendly too. Whilst we were waiting for the rain to stop, I got talking to our guide, who was born, raised and lived here all his life. He spoke passionately about his village, feeling blessed and grateful to his ancestors for leaving such a beautiful land for him to live in - and continued to explain to me he never felt the need to leave when there was everything he wanted right here.
Anna and Lindsay went two's up on an elephant in front, and I followed behind. It was worth it just to see my sisters face light up - she looked so happy and was joyfully capturing shots of absolutely anything and everything around us. The elephants gently walked us along a trodden narrow mud path close to a river bank, then through some lush green surroundings.
Phanom Bencha is the largest area of pristine, virgin jungle in Krabi province, and it felt authentic trekking through the over hanging trees. They were so graceful as they carefully stepped down a steep bank gently swaying from side to side.
It's almost impossible to not fall in love with these amazing creatures.
The surroundings were quite similar but a little less picturesque than Chiang Mai.
We trekked deeper into the rain forest at the foot of the beautiful karst mountains, close to the cliffs for an hour in a big loop back to the camp - now it was time to wash the elephants in the river. Again Anna's face lit up as she and Lindsay bathed and scrubbed the young elephant named 'Bundrian' with brushes.
This gentle creature munched through 250 kilos of food every single day! costing nearly $500 a month!
It was hilarious watching my sister attempt to get onto the elephant's back whilst it crouched down - she nearly flew over its head which had me and Lindsay in stitches. This was the happiest I had seen Anna in a very long time and I was really happy she insisted on me going along with them for this trip or I would have missed out on all the fun.
Next it was my turn to climb up onto Bundrian's bare back and now I realised how difficult this actually was to keep my balance but it was so enjoyable.
Then after a brief walk to the camp we took the jeep back to Ao Nang.
We couldn't wait to try the outdoor jacuzzi and that was on my mind all the way home.
It was the perfect way to cool off and relax after such a great day.
Now we were ready for some nightlife.....
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