Chapter fifty one - Krabi

Day 193: Krabi, Thailand 09/04/2012

For the eagle eyed readers out there, you may notice that the day numbers don't follow on from the previous chapter. This is because I cannot count and the days have been out for months.

So, up very early for the bus trip to Krabi and after a quick run to 7/11 we are joined at the bus stop by the Plymouth lads, who are heading to Koh Tao. We get the minibus to the ferry point, grab a quick breakfast (asked for poached, got scrambled) and depart the island with a literal boatload of tired, hungover, douchey looking young travellers. We naturally fit in here. The boat leaves the dock and the heavens open, soaking everyone on the open deck, including us. Everybody takes refuge under whatever shelter they can and eventually the sun comes out and dries up all the rain and incey wincey spider...

Some outstanding scenery to be seen on the way into the mainland and we are greeted by some odd looking dolphins playing in the shallows (Irawaddy dolphins no less - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Orcaella_brevirostris_1878.jpg). We then take our seats on the bus damp and tired and sleep most of the way to Krabi. Wake up to find we are almost there, a couple of hours earlier than expected. The people touting for business at the bus stop put us in the direction of a half decent looking hotel and despite thinking we had treated ourselves, it is a bit rough round the edges. After a mammoth afternoon nap for Gem, we have a very ropey tea and then skype the folks at home.

Day 194: Krabi, Thailand 10/04/2012

After a very good night's sleep we watch a bit of Real Stories (the only English channel) and laze about. We then take a trip into the town (Ao Nang) and despite the stunning natural surroundings, our first impressions are not good. The whole place is overpriced, the touts and stallholders are very pushy and the whole town has a bit of a chip on its shoulder. We have an overpriced pizza/pasta combo for lunch and then book our ticket out of here. On the way out we see all the bargain food stalls we should have visited. Grrr!

Head back, have a quick dip and back into bed for some more Real Stories as the heavens open outside. Decide on a takeaway and gorge ourselves on our last night in Thailand. Pad Thai, chicken and cashew nuts, spring rolls, corn on the cob, banana and chocolate pancakes and a snickers are demolished. Pack then sleep.