Thailand - Waters of Paradise

Krabi is a beautiful seaside town on the western coast of Southern Thailand, located at the mouth of the Krabi River as it flows into the Andaman Sea. Krabi is known for its stunning scenery of rugged mountains and caves, lush green forests, pristine exotic beaches, crystal clear water, vibrant marine life, and beautiful islands.

There is much to do in Krabi, from visiting the many beaches and utopian islands, getting wet with scuba diving and snorkelling, enjoying the various water sports offered, or trekking through some of the most amazing scenery in Thailand. The most famous beaches on the mainland include: Ao Nang Beach, Railey Beach, Hat Noppharat Thara Beach, Hat Tham Beach, Pra Nang Beach, and Klong Muang Beach. Ao Nang Beach, Railey Beach, and Hat Tham Beach are well for the spectacular rocky outcrops and cliffs surrounding them, and Railey Beach in particular, offers rock climbing gear as well as training for novices. There are also many nearby island groups of most of the coast of Krabi, and Ao Nang Bay in particular has over 80 small islands very close by, all of which are accessible by boat, and most of which are accessible by swimming to in low tide. Hong Island in particular is worth visiting, as it is a beautiful limestone island that is surrounded by a coral reef. Another must visit are the Phi Phi Islands, which apart from silvery sands, crystal clear waters, and coral reefs, offer a variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. If you are looking to get away from it all however, visiting the Lanta Islands is recommended, as they are much quieter and quite unpopulated.

Popular activities apart from lounging on the many beaches in Krabi include such water-based activities as canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, and windsurfing. As mentioned earlier, you can also go rock-climbing, and there are many hiking trails in the area as well. Shopping is also a pleasure in Krabi and and the Phi Phi Islands, with numerous roadside stalls and small shops lining most streets, offering amazing souvenirs, various local handicrafts, along with trendy apparel. Bargaining, however, is a must.

One should also visit the Krabi Hot Spring, which is about 70 km from Krabi town near the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. Located right in the middle of the jungle, it provides the opportunity to relax in one the many hollowed-out bathtub-like pools that have cascading warm spring water running over them. Also in the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve is the Emerald Pool, or Sra Morakot in Thai, which is a natural pool in the centre of the jungle that is fed by a spring, whose water at different times of the day changes to different hues according to the water temperature. One should also visit the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) that is just 3 km from Krabi town, and resides on top of a 600 metre high hill. It can be accessed by 1237 steep steps, and the view from atop is glorious, as is the peace and tranquillity of the temple.

More than just the political, commercial, and cultural capital of Thailand, Bangkok's skyline gives you an idea of its unique personality; which is a vibrant conglomeration of chrome and cane. All through the city, flows the beautiful Chao Phraya River, filled with traders and boats. Bangkok's bustling atmosphere, though distinctly modern, has a sense of heritage found within urban tangle, for soaring skyscrapers can be found alongside tranquil temples. However, the sense of order within this chaos is quite evident, and the congestion of people and traffic is alleviated by the slick overland metropolitan railway, cheap river boats and air-conditioned taxis, all of which allow you to see the city as it really is.

Weather:
Spring: March to May 27-34 C
Summer: June to August 26-33 C
Autumn: September to November 25-32 C
Winter: December to February 23-32 C

Shopping:
Shoppers in Bangkok have a wide choice of areas in which to pursue their search for bargains and luxuries, most of them located within walking distance of the major hotels. Souvenir markets, luxury malls, and Thai handicrafts stalls are all jumbled up together, always giving you a variety. For souvenirs, visit the Amulet Market in Ko Ratanakosin, and the Chatuchak Weekend Market at Th Phahonyothin Lat Phrao. Also try the Orient Plaza and the River City Shopping Complex, which are adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, to find antiques and decorative items. Siam Square is home to many malls and antique shops also. The Floating Market is also a must visit. If you are interested in jewellery, visit The Jewel Fest Club, where quality craftsmanship and reasonable price are assured.

Must Do:
There are over 300 Buddhist shrines and temples within the city, and there is no excuse a tourist to Bangkok can have for not visiting some of these beautiful places. The most famous are Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Trimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). You should also try to visit Wat Phra Kaeo, where the Emerald Buddha (made of translucent green jade) resides. Bangkok also offers an assortment of restaurants that is staggering in its variety. In Bangkok, you are never more than a few feet from a restaurant or sidewalk food vendor and each one of them is different. Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Silom, and Bang Rak are the areas where you can find the best Thai cuisine. There is a lot to entertain you in Bangkok, with some of the best nightclubs, bars, cafes and discos in Asia, liberally sprinkled all over the cityscape.

Travel Tools:
ISD Code: +66
Currency: Baht (THB) 1 THB is approximately 1.50 Indian Rupee (INR)
Time Zone: GMT +7 hours. IST +1:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V