20 July 2009

krabi getaway!




vince and i searched online for our next adventure after japan. we both love the beach, and wanted to explore a beach we both have never been to. krabi in thailand caught our attention cause the rates were sooo low back in may. low season they say. but upon checking the weather forecast, it said no chance of rain, all sunny skies, temperature in the high 20s.. "book it!"



ahh, krabi.. the less popular beach destination of thailand, the up and coming phuket, the location of the famous phi phi island. getting to krabi from bangkok is exactly like getting from manila to boracay ten years ago. a flight from bangkok to krabi takes an hour, exactly like manila to kalibo.. then a land trip for two hours from krabi to koh lanta island, exactly like kalibo to caticlan.

the sand is not as gorgeous as boracay sand, but the beach is divine. to add to it, krabi feels like its a virgin island. not at all commercialized, charming, and quiet.



being in krabi makes it kind of hard to believe that just five years ago, this beautiful nature reserve was hit by the massive tsunami. the locals speak about it with a lot of strength, seeing it as a learning experience more than a terrible tragedy. all the resorts, restaurants, villages show no sign of the tsunami, except for evacuation route signs like this every few metres. amazing how such a small island can be so organized this way.


. . .



inspired by my friend regina's way of labeling travel photos, i share with you now a few highlights from the trip!



when in krabi..





..learn how other countries preserve the environment! within the two hour land trip to koh lanta, you pass two of these floating highways. well, barges as they call it. you pay a "toll fee" to get your vehicle to the other islands. when we asked why not build bridges instead of these barges having to go back and forth forever, they said its intentional. building bridges will make access to the islands easier, which will make preserving the islands more difficult. overcrowding, problems in waste management, disturbing underwater life, erosion of land on the island, and sooo much more possible terrible consequences to the environment. (lesson: please, oh please philippine government, do something before boracay goes to waste!)





..have a glass of good wine before resting from a long day's travel. you pretty much get to koh lanta in the evening, from leaving manila in the morning. have some wine, with great conversation, and you are all set to have a good night's sleep! (vince and i collect and label all the corks from bottles we have. we hope to fill the jar in the future.)





..enjoy the view! wake up early and have a hearty breakfast enjoying a spectacular view. chat up the thai servers and make them guess your nationality. help them practice their english while ordering food. laugh and just eat up when they end up giving you the wrong order.





..lounge in the pool the whooole day. remember, its "off peak season" so you are the only ones in the whooole resort! we joked each other, "buy one room, take one resort!" there were probably only six other guests in the resort aside from us, and they didn't seem to be pool people, so the whooole pool was ours. how posh!





..still enjoy yourself even when sick. vince suffered from a bum stomach so we had to cancel our "culture day" in krabi. we were planning to go to the gypsy village, the local market, the caves, and the waterfalls, but because he was sick, we had to stay at the resort instead. well, still not bad. how could it be bad?! the sun was shining, the wind was cool, the whole poolside was ours, and we even saw eagles flying above us. no kidding. eagles!! (the only bad part was vince had to eat just bread that day to help make his stomach better.)





..explore the nightlife and chance upon a cool bar! we decided to walk around one night and see if any place catches our eye. and behold, we found, bar-a-cuda!! get it?! barrrracuda?! hahhaha. the thai are so cute. this was a very charming place with cool beachy interiors and steady reggae music playing. plus, the chicken wings are excellent. (during "off peak season" though, all places close at 9PM. yes, as in 9PM. so you gotta start your night at like 6PM. hehe.)





..do more lounging by the pool, but this time, stuff yourselves! something about swimming pools and salty fries that is just magic. add a lovely strawberry milkshake and a clubhouse sandwich and tadaa! life can't be any better.





..trust lonely planet to bring you to a great place! we really swear by lonely planet. we love it!!!! and lonely planet thailand did not fail us. we looked up this place that came highly recommended by them, same same but different. cute name, right?! the thai are really so cute. "same, same," as they like to say! fantastic interiors, friendly servers, and a great menu. the lamb mussamun is the best!





..make new friends! meet david and tamesin! newlyweds from kent, england! aaw, they were the cutest. honeymoon-ing around thailand and krabi was their last stop. spent every night with them! (remember? everything's closed at 9PM? so it was drinks at the hotel with them every night.) we had dinner all together in same same but different, and to end the night perfectly, we all rode at the back of the pick up truck on the way home! so much fun!!!!



..and of course, after the relaxing krabi trip, stop over in bangkok before heading home!!!! yaaay!!!!

when in bangkok..





..soak up the sights, sounds, colors, street food, and shopping! the train stop at central has the most kick ass malls side by side to each other. the siam area is also a major winner! if in bangkok over the weekend, chatuchak is a must!





..walk around til you find a hole in the wall resto full of people! you may not understand the menu written in pure thai outside the restaurant, but when its packed to the brim, you knooow its gotta be good! if ordering in broken english plus little thai phrases doesn't work, just point (discreetly and politely of course) to the plates of other people for what you want to order. chicken rice!!!! wow. felt like the chicken meat was gonna fall off the bone. *drool*





..when killing time in the airport, eat at magic food point! oh my. the best and cheapest thai food in the airport! forget those expensive restaurants in the higher floors. when killing time in the bangkok international airport, head to the ground floor, by the bus stations, and enter the magical world of magic food point! order the dark duck over noodles for less than 80THB!!!!



..and of course, in my case, when traveling.. take tumbling shots!



koh lanta, krabi, thailand. by the beach, krabi, thailand. central station, bangkok, thailand.





coming soon, post on recent singapore and korea trip. thank you for reading!

60 comments:

JESSAN said...

My,Krabi here I come! =D

Unknown said...

hello bianca!

yey! u visited bangkok thailand and krabi! sooo nice aight?coz im living and workin here!heehee!

ya.the same same..thats their famous word when they know u as a filipino, becoz of our physical appearance to them..they r nice and polite maxado(=

looove ur shots and ur travels!u shud visit chiangmai also during december! so beautiful din!

the shoopppings spree is so cheap here..heehehee!

enways.have a great day!

shariel said...

so nice...unexplored place...
I have just one thing to ask..how can I reach Mr. Boy Abunda?I have some comments about the show SNN but can't leave a message in their multiply site...how???please help we want the old format of the show..the new format is just same as good old the buzz...
can they stick with the old format which is more on featuring houses of celebrities...bag raids...

Sam said...

great photos, bianca. :)

ella said...

coooolll!! keep posts coming! this is like a travel blog. i love it!

^ have to agree with shariel. i love the old format of SNN! agree agree!

Anonymous said...

anong resort sa koh lanta? the place looks divine.

vap said...

winner ang bikini tumbling shots! :)

another great post bianca!

MJ Chan said...

wow! thanks for sharing your trip with us! keep us updated on your next travels :D

annie marie. said...

wow lucky girl i love your thai trip and that little unknown island amazing....

rika jane said...

Thailand! One of those places I wanna visit! Thanks for posting photos! Love `em!

Unknown said...

wow, a new place to explore in Thailand. thanks for sharin. i do hope they would be able to contain the AH1N1 fear in their country nowadays, since i learned they have the most number of cases. :)

Anonymous said...

went there last april. have you been to tub island? it's my favorite place in ao nang, krabi. the island has a crystal clear white sand beach. there’s also a sandy causeway joining the neighboring island during low tide. the island tour only costs 390 baht (dirt cheap!).

Holly said...

I adore your shots! Pang coffee table book! :

Krabi kinda reminded me of the movie The Beach because of how you described it. Now Tin is inspired to dress me up in bikini and take tumbling shots of me, too! ;p

mabz16 said...

nice photos! great tumbling shots! =D

Superjaid said...

wow!great shotz!especially the tumbling shots..cooL..Ü

C. said...

wow! amazing place! can't wait to read your next entry about your Korea trip. :)

irish said...

thanks for taking us also to your trip.. love it! (esp the tumbling shots!) stay safe!

♥peachkins♥ said...

looks like you really had a great time there! I am soo jealous! I'm a beach person myself

katedadz said...

love the photos. and the tumbling shots! amazing!!!!! :)))

Anonymous said...

Kakainggit naman mga pinupuntahan nyo ate Bianca, sama naman minsan.

ella said...

hi bianca. it's my first time to drop you a message but i'm always reading your blog even if i'm no longer in manila. i love the way you love your life and the places you've been to were amazing. you inspire a lot of people in all places. Godspeed!=)

Ria Arana said...

i love reading about your travels! wish i could also be there someday :) i also love the article in SSM about you, mariel, and toni!

christine margaritte said...

I really wish I can aLso traveL anywhere I want to just like you. But I know time will come when I can do that freeLy and carefree :)..

Tanong lang po, bakit di mo pinu-post pics ng boyfriend mo? Curious din kami though nakita ko na din siya sa isang picture kasama ka pero well, masyado ka nga palang "private person" :)

Anyway, GoD bLess na lang po!! Enjoy LIFE :)

shariel said...

thanks ella for agreeing with me..I hope bianca gets to send the message across to Boy...

I agree C. ...waiting for his Korea trip too...

MJ said...

i have of plans of visiting thailand this year. i'm more than glad na you're able to post about thailand. hihihi.

tama si maganda ate biancs, post ka din minsan about kay vince :P ayeee!

your last stumbling shot is awesome. very carefree (tingnan mo naman ang crowd sa likod, hihi).

Anonymous said...

Hi Bianca! I really love reading your blogs about your travels. :-) But if you don't mind can you make your pictures a lil bit bigger. For us to see it clearer. That rhymes. Hehe. Anyways, thank you! I hope I can also explore the world like you're doing now. Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

you know what? this is one of my most visited sites na here sa internet! before, i often go to facebook, google and friendster, but now? haha. YOU are DIVINE :) I LOVE YOU for everything. you're just the coolest! :P



-stroberichiscake@gmail.com

shumii said...

woohooo! love the place =)

markymark2099 said...

Hahaha that handstand in Central station was a classic!! I can only imagine the people around you thinking 'what the heck is she doing?!'

jayne :) said...

wow. (jaw drops XD..)

hi bianca. it's my first time to leave a comment here. i've been visiting your blog for four years now. :)

i salute you for having the time to share a bit of yourself despite your busy sked. i'm definitely a fan of your blog. and a big fan of yours. ;p

tnx for being an inspiration and an icon to the youth. good luck & God bless!

PS. i hope you could include a photo of yourself and vince on your next post. more power to the both of you! tc. :D

-kay♥

Anonymous said...

hi bianca!

i've heard about san blas in panama. do check it out. i think you can rent an island and get to know your fellow tourists by swimming to their islands (or something like that).

Babes said...

Hi bianca!
MABUHAY!
I love how you blog your travels, esp JAPAN, I'm so inlove with that city, I haven't been there hanggang airport lang, I can't wait for your Korea travel, I'm so spazzing kasi you got to meet YG family esp 2NE1, I'm the dorkiest fan ever!
I saw your interview at 2NE1 TV, nakakatuwa ka talaga! hehe. Keep it up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1SMx0Xyiag

Anonymous said...

i speak on behalf of all your male fans and say, "damn, that vince is one lucky guy!"

Anonymous said...

so u are back! i saw u in naia first week of july.. my good guess is that u went to korea.. cause both asiana and korean air are departing around that time. keep travelling!

Anonymous said...

hi bianca! do you have a travel agency where you book you trips? tips naman dyan how to plan a trip =)

Rosanna said...

you look like you had so much fun! i'm jealous :)

shariel said...

yeah thats Vince i slucky..I hope I could see you both in an interview??...

I hope you really tell Boy Abunda about the format of SNN..hey guys support me in here..come on!!!

nhosaj said...

aantayin ko nlang ung mga pic mo sa korea kc sigurado ako may mga pic ka nila DARA sana nga ehh may solo pic ka ni BOM PARK

Anonymous said...

I'd love to travel with you someday

mark said...

hi bianca... napadpad Lng...ajejej!

love you Of being so adventurous...

love reading
uR latest posT...

aheheh!

Gracey said...

i've been to thailand as well. fell for bangkok & phuket ♥ a lot of great locations to do island-hopping. (thumbs-up) :)

Anonymous said...

you should be a real photographer... : )... by the way, can i ask you a favor??

could you show us your photo with "Vince"??? please...

tnx...

-xuper p.-

celine said...

nice pictures, esp. the tumbling shots :D i love all your blog posts and tweets! take care & GoD bless :)

Mav said...

Saludo on your tumbling shots! :)

aileen said...

hi bianca!

i always enjoy reading your travel posts. todo kwento at ang ganda ng pictures! as in laging "WOW!"

sana nga kunin kang host ng discovery travel & living. :)

shasta logan said...

Hi Ate Bianca! Idol ko talaga mga blog entries mo. Woo :D I pray to read more of your travels next time...Sana next time din, isama mo naman ako. Hahaha. God bless. -shasta

keisha said...

hi Bianca!

when can i find cheaper rates regarding good destination places? i really want to travel this coming break. thanks:)

dada said...

Hello miss Bianca. :)
I'm a fan of your blog. hehe.
Grabe. kainggit ang pag-tour mo sa different countries. Haha.

Papost naman ng pics mo when you went to Korea to interview Sandara. Grabe, nainggit ako dun. Haha. Fan din kasi ako ng BOF. And also some Korean groups there.

More power. god bless! Thanks. :)

Anonymous said...

great photos bianca,
u have a great experience there!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Bianca! I make tumbling shots too! or at least I try. lol! You must be a former gymnast, your legs are so straight upside down. mine is always bent. booo!

anyway, i have an OT comment, would you be interested to endorse GK's Food Programme? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Pdo6DKGYg
you seem like a life advocate. :) pls let me now. you can reach me by my email, iconsmarketing@gmail.com. thank you! hope to hear from you soon. :)

Melissa

amidalea said...

wow...super coolness..another escapade for the "wander" girl.

hehehe...i love your dress at the event earlier!!!super lovely.. ^__^

lea

Anonymous said...

Wow, so nice! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hello bianca. nice blog. i'm luis, we have the same birthday =)

sweet said...

you really did make a tumbling shot in bangkok??

aww...I miss reading your blog...how I wish I was able to see you in Bangkok, but thanks for the idea, now I am planning my trip to Krabi hehehe!!!

http://pensandlens.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Bianca! I know that expecting you to reply is something far-fetched, but I'll still give it a try anyway. So you see, I'm leaving for Bangkok again in a few days. Like HK, Bangkok equates to shopping and that's all I do whenever I'm there. I just want to ask what else I can do or where else to go :) Thanks!

Dahlj said...

that thumbling shot is just simply coool!!!

SHOWBIZ'NIPPETS said...

Hello Bianca! You're an amazing young woman. Is that you tumbling in the pictures? Love yah!

Showbiznippets loves yah!

Gerald said...

Ah yes, krabi Rawi warin! Dude, I miss this place so much super laid back as in...rented a scooter with my gf explore the whole island and went island hopping also... saya!

koking said...

hey miss superbiancs. wer is your SG and Korea blog?

Anonymous said...

hi bianca! i'm planning on going to koh lanta.. may i know the name of the resort where you stayed? thanks!