Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand 2024

Destination: Ao Nang, Krabi Thailand.
Dates: 24 April - 1st May 2024.
Temperature: Heatwave.
Pool water temperature:
Baby bath
Sea water temperature: Climate change

Have been in Thailand 2 weeks but it feels like we have been her for 3 months. The sign of a good holiday.

Left the stifling and smoggy heat of the big bad city and made our way down South for the jewel in Thailands crown - the beaches and islands.

Andy and I discussed whether we wanted to take the sleeper train down to Krabi or fly. I had many romantic travel
memories of taking the train in 2004 and enjoying beverages and meals in the bar car with fellow travellers before resting your head for a long rattly sleep.

Well with one quick google search the Thai Government took that decision out of our hands. They do not sell beers on the train anymore. We flew.

Turned out to be a quick 1h 25min flight on Thai Airways from Bangkok to Krabi.

The air hostesses put on quite the show on this up and down flight when it comes to
meal service. They don aprons and fly up and down the plane aisle throwing a snack bag at everyone. And then rush back up asking if you’ve finished. With mouth stuffed I said “Hmm” This was all done in about 7 minutes. Respect.

We decided on a tourist beach town called Ao Nang which sits nestled between the beach and breathtaking jungle and limestone boulders.

We had read mixed reviews about Ao Nang and so wasn’t
too sure about how busy this town would be. It’s a jump off spot to the islands and tours so we just booked 2 nights at our hotel.

Well we didn’t like it.

We LOVED it.

There are two parts to Ao Nang. The Ao Nang beach stretch is where all the party bars are and overpriced restaurants (by Thai standards but to be expected) and then there is the part that we stayed which is called Hat Noppharat Thara Beach.

This part of Ao Nang was perfect as it was quieter during the day but at night the Landmark Night Market comes alive. Loads of food stalls with seafood cooked fresh, Thai pancakes, noodles, rice dishes, and the usual street fair stuff like potatoes on sticks and cold rock ice cream. Our favourite though was the mango sticky rice from Bee 🐝

Mostly our time in Ao Nang was spent relaxing by the pool
or by the beach. Eating amazing Thai food at our favourite restaurant Abradi every day, having beers and watching bands at the night market and talking about but being too relaxed to plan our next steps. So two days turned into 7. I think we’re starting to hit our relaxed stride which is definitely more our pace.

One thing we did decide on was that 1 month in Thailand would not be enough so we took a trip to the Immigration office in Krabi town and applied for an extension.
Why do 1 month when you can do two?!

The Thai government also offer expat retirees a one year visa for those over 50yo and certain income levels. Something we might consider in the future.

We’re easing in to this nomad travel life. We’re both still not sure if it’s what we want to do full time and we have talked about missing family, friends and routine back home like gym and golf. But we’ll just see how we travel eh.

Where to next?Baca selengkapnya