Ao Nang, Railay, etc.

We were not impressed. The tides were out at least a kilometer, making it a hike through some rubble and plastic and sea slime to take a swim. At the same time the sand was moist, indicating that the tides would eventually reach the edge of the beach, so a sit down was never safe from the tides (and wet!)

In addition, the "strip" was dirty and tacky. 

To top it all off, our hotel, ineptly called "Krabi Forest Homestay," was not in a forest, and not a Homestay. It is a motel! Think Motel 6! In spite of the relatively expensive price tag ($50), no breakfast included. Nikki was freaking that the air conditioning wasn't pulling the temperature down and that, together with terrible beach, prompted me to plan an escape to another location. 

The little blue dot who's you where we are, right in between Ao Nang and Nopperat beaches

Eventually we calmed down, the air conditioning worked, the tides came in. I will say that I would never return to this place. I said that about my last Southern Thailand adventure, outside of Phuket, and now I'm saying it again. Hmmm. It will be interesting to see what Koh Lanta brings.

My first full day, I took off to Railay beach, a place that is only accessible by boat. This is remarkable, because the entire place is developed meaning that all building materials, and food, and water must be shipped in. The beaches, though, are much more beautiful, and one of them (Hat Tham Phra Nang) is purportedly the most beautiful beach in Krabi. I think that is correct, but there were many people there to enjoy the beauty! 

I did do some snorkeling, but there don't seem to be any live reefs here, although some fishes. Swimming out to the rock below is a challenge because the longtail boats drive by, which could potentially kill you. My first day there I did swim out, and only when I got back did the boats start rumbling by, eliminating the desire to swim out there again.

The beach of Hat Tham Phra Nang, which was enormously crowded yesterday with Europeans.

The boat trip to Railay, note that long tail boat in the foreground....this is what we were on. You have to wade into the water and climb aboard the boat. This trip is not for the old or infirm! 

Haven't had any great food here. Last night we went to restaurant that Lonely Planet calls one of the best seafood restaurants in the world. It was good, but not great. Perhaps I ordered wrong.