Day 1:-9th

To take a trip to Krabi was the best decision made by myself and Bharath. Best season, cheaper flights than Phuket & Bangkok. After all we need a relaxing break with the kid. Just as the summer vacation began, we prebooked our flights and hotel with absolutely no other prior travel plans.

Utthaan got to know about the destination the day we started and was surprised & his excitement tripled.

 It was 3:30 PM flight on 9^th April to Krabi from Bangalore and we reached there at 8:30 PM. Booking a cab by grab wasn’t tough but the driver was too late to arrive & was extremely slow with his driving skills which tested our patience. At last checked in Centara hotel and thanks our pre travel knowledge, there were ample number of Indian restaurants just opposite to the hotel. Satisfied with our dinner, we were straight on the bed.

Day 2:10th

Waking up fresh with a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel , we headed towards Along beach just a km from the hotel and enquired about the nearby beach /Island destinations. There were quite a lot of them to opt and we booked our tickets to the most popular Railay beach.

It was a 10 minute boat ride and yes, it was an eye catching view all over the island. The towering limestone cliffs offer incredible climbs with breathtaking views.also known as Rai Leh, is a small peninsula between the city of Krabi and Ao Nang in Thailand. It is accessible only by boat due to high limestone cliffs cutting off mainland access. These cliffs attract rock climbers from all over the world, but the area is also popular due to its beautiful beaches and quiet relaxing atmosphere. Accommodation ranges from bungalows and medium-priced resorts in East Railay to a collection of luxury resorts focused on West Railay, though one, Royavadee, spans both waterfronts and also has a beachfront restaurant at Ao Phra Nang. The four main areas of Railay consist of Phra Nang, West Railay, East Railay, and Ton Sai. Ton Sai caters to climbers and the backpacker set and is more rustic than the glitz of West Railay and the shops and restaurants of the East Railay boardwalk.Heat was on the upper side and sun god didn’t show mercy on us. 

With Mango juice :)

My Favorite-Thai green curry

After playing for a while in the beach and sand, we were up to the famous mango juice, sticky rice & Thai green curry. Relaxed for a while in the shore and took at ferry to Along bay. 

Night walks

The streets of Krabi welcomed us in the evening for a wonderful stroll and the live music in the local restaurant was the highlight.

Day 3 :11^th

Another day to another island! Yes, we chose Tonsai this time and this island was another spectacular treat. So calm to revive our energies. 

Utthaan and Bharath were busy playing and myself off course clicking scenic pictures. To our luck, we came across a team of rock climbers and enjoyed them climb to the peak. Their strength & stamina was worth the applaud. The clouds were turning darker and we finished our lunch in a restaurant beside the seashore and to our bad luck there were no boats to Along beach, so had to pass by Railay beach before touching Along beach.

 We had a walk by the beach side and had a tuk tuk ride to the way back for the dinner. Later it was time for the very famous Thai foot massage to end up the day.

Day 4:12^th

We decided to keep the next two days for just relaxing , shopping and strolling around.After the breakfast, myself & Utthaan headed towards the pool while Bharath was upto a body massage.

Entire day was spent in the hotel arena while evening was gathered up with walks and shopping followed by dinner at the Govinda’s restaurant and live music by the streets.

Day 5:13^th

The most exciting day it was ! We got to know that it was Thai new year also known as Songkran –  It is a traditional Thai New Year festival celebrated every year from April 13th to 15th, known for its all-out water fights and various cultural activities. Songkran is a time for cleansing, renewal, and celebrating the new year, with water playing a significant role in both the festivities and the cultural traditions. I just finished my Thai body massage and decided to celebrate the new year!

Key Aspects of Songkran:

• Water Fights:

The most iconic aspect of Songkran is the large-scale water fights that take place in the streets and public spaces. People use water guns, buckets, and anything else to playfully splash and soak each other. 

• Cultural Significance:

Songkran is more than just a water fight; it's a time for reflection and renewal. It's believed that washing away sins and bad luck through water symbolizes a fresh start. 

• Temple Visits and Rituals:

Buddhists visit temples to pour water on Buddha statues and the hands of monks as a sign of respect and to receive blessings. 

• Family Gatherings:

Many Thai people travel home to spend time with family during Songkran. 

• Music, Dance, and Parades:

The festival also includes various cultural performances, music, and parades, adding to the festive atmosphere. 

What next, we walked around the main street to buy our water gun and started water splashes on the locals. It was a great fun and all three of us enjoyed a lot roaming around the streets for 3 hrs straight. The entire nation was drenched with water and totally loved it. It was quite a tiring day as well. We opted for a masala dosa and samosa for the last dinner in Krabi as we were quite missing the local food !

Day 6:14^th

Wishing we could stay back but had to bid adieu and take a u turn to Bangalore in our morning flight. Krabi was well spent with a different Thai vibe altogether. Hope to see Krabi again !