Those of you, who have followed my blog for a while, know that I’m not a big fan of group excursions. I don’t know whether it’s a work-related injury from my time as a tourist rep, but one of the worst things I know is to be driven around like holiday cattle, without the right to decide when to swim, sunbathe or go to the restroom.
In Ao Nang, the best restaurants do not necessarily have air conditioning and linen napkins. I have previously written about the small food stalls near the hotel, from which we’ve bought our lunch almost every day.Another place with really good food is the small restaurant E-San Seafood & Thai food. Calling it a restaurant is maybe an exaggeration, considering that you’re sitting on blue plastic chairs under a porch roof without walls, but the food is some of the best I’ve had in Ao Nang.
Back again from my Patpong detour I had enough of Bangkok, so I started browsing Hotels.com to see what Krabi had to offer hotel wise. I settled for a posh looking Sofitel resort for 2500THB/night.
The price was less than half of the price to stay there during peak season, so even though I am not usually a resort person (too expensive and too predictable), I decided to go for the resort.
I got up early this morning and went to the airport for my Krabi flight with Air Asia. Air Asia is a Malaysian based low cost carrier and the flight was conducted in an old B737-300. I did not really notice the service standard on board, as I was sleeping tight just after the wheels left the ground.
I was a bit concerned about what the weather would be like down there, because September is in the middle of the rainy season. It turned out, I had absolutely no reason to worry: The sun was shining from a clear blue sky, as I walked out from the airport terminal building around noon. I took a taxi to Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra and after a 45 minutes ride, I stepped into the lobby of one of the most beautiful resorts, I have ever seen.
Since my suitcase was a bit too heavy for the 16kg Air Asia baggage allowance, I decided to leave it at the baggage storage at Subvarnabhumi (Bangkok Airport). I only brought my backpack with the most necessary stuff with me to Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra, so Standing in the lobby of this gorgeous hotel, I felt slightly under-dressed in my flip flops and the dress I had bought at Chatuchak Market.
While I was waiting for the staff to find my reservation, I was served a cup of tea in the lobby, which had a gorgeous view over the lush pool area and a glimpse of the sea. I was then escorted to my room, which was absolutely stunning with a balcony and sea view.
A fruit platter was waiting for me in the room, and it had this very strange fruit, which I have never seen before. The skin was hard and rough, but after peeling it, the inner part of the fruit was very tasty. But enough about the fruit, -I was there for the sun! I changed to bikini and went to the giant pool area.
I was only sharing the pool with a couple from India, so I could really splash around. Feeling a bit hungry, I ordered one of my favorite Thai dishes, spicy glass noodle salad, from the pool bar. “You want it spicy?” the chef asked, and I nodded. Of course I want it spicy. I’m a seasoned traveler, used to Thai spicy food.
After the first mouthful, my tongue was burning, and I felt the heat running to my face.
“Are you okay?” the chef asked and I nodded. I am a seasoned traveler used to Thai spicy food…..or not!
“Your face is all red” the chef noticed in a concerned voice, and the waitress hastened to serve me a glass of ice water.
Ok, next time, I’ll have that non-spicy…
Though non-spicy is not good either. Read about my lunch at Som Tum Der i Bangkok when I had a papaya salad without any chili at all
Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf and Spa resort, 200 Moo 3 T. Nongtalay, A. Muang Krabi
