Krabi, a place, not a disposition

Posted under Thailand 2008

Up before breakfast and off to Phuket town. Going to catch the local ferry to Phi Phi island, then another ferry to Koh Lanta. Now Koh Lanta is pretty laid back for the most part. Sort of a back-packers paradise if you are of this generation, or a hippie hide-a-way if you were never able to let go of the sixties. Both groups are there. This would rather narrow the potential accommodation somewhat, — unless you have Chad’s Angela as your booking agent. She managed to get us rooms at the Lantham Resort, and what rooms they were. Whole resort is built on the side of a mountain so the views are spectacular, but one has to get up and down from these rooms. The getting down part is quite easy as gravity tends to assist, but the up part is a little more trying. Now for those folks not in the peak physical condition of our hardy little group, the resort would move you in both directions in their own little tuk-tuks, but for those of us in top form, a vertical stroll was in the offing. When the sound of me gasping for air got too noisy, I would casually grab hold of something and gaze over the landscape as if enjoying the view. This bluff may have worked, other than I did the same performance at night when you couldn’t see a thing. I’m certain that it was the sheer magnitude of the undertaking and not my physical condition that required this procedure. Laid back and relaxed for a few days, well except for Bonnie, who would awaken to some church group, who would sing at all weird hours of the day. Actually was a mosque, and they were calling the faithful to prayer. I guess Bonnie missed out, and she never did get a burkah. Off by car to Krabi.

Another ferry crossing and a highway jaunt would take us to a Sheraton Resort outside of Krabi. Another Angela arrangement. Good work Angie!! Two thumbs up on the fancy digs. I may start traveling with you, and leave Granny to baby sit. On our road trip portion of our travel, we stopped so that I could admire a rather impressive snake skin. I had serious thoughts of packing it into my suitcase, or better yet, Bonnie’s, and bringing it home, but the snake was still using it and seemed cranky enough as it was. Could be how they named the area Krabi. At any rate, he seemed particularly put out that traffic would not let him cross the road. That or the fact that he had no legs and had to spend his entire life dragging his belly in the dirt. I’ve only been doing that for a few years and it ticks me off at times. It turns out that it was a King Cobra, about 15 feet long. The best I could do was take his picture, but even then I couldn’t get him to smile.

Great rooms, swimming pools, pool bars and restaurants — what a regimented life we lead. Interrupted our busy schedule to take a “long-tail” to Railay beach. Really laid back there but quite scenic. Some of the wildest rock formations we have encountered. Great, vertical snaggle-toothed limestone rock formations forming sort of mountains on the land, and islands in the surrounding water. It is like everything in between was made of soft material and over time, washed away. A very popular spot for rock climbers, and I lived vicariously through their efforts. I do much the same thing with bungy jumping.

Can’t believe that these past 10 days have disappeared so quickly, but here it is time for Troy and Chad to head back. We had truly a wonderful, memorable time, and it seems like they just arrived. Can’t say enough good things about their wives and families as well, to have encouraged them join us here. It is all something that we soon won’t forget.Troy and Chad will catch a plane to Bangkok, and we will catch one to Koh Samui. That will be another story. Take care to all.

T