Trang Underwater Wedding

This year is the 16th year the Trang underwater wedding will take place. This unusual and unique event is the province’s way of boosting tourism while at the same time allowing visitors to take advantage of the amazing marine life in the Andaman Sea. The ‘Trang Underwater Wedding’ is one of the province’s most famous events and attracts divers from all over the world wishing to exchange vows and devote themselves to one another while being surrounding by stunning natural sea life.

It should be known that although it is entitled a wedding it actually has no legal standing. Couples will receive a certificate of participating in the underwater wedding but it is not a legal wedding. Still, it is an amazing way for divers to truly experience a romantic moment in the sea.

The exceptionally spectacular event will take place from February 10th to 12th and involves a traditional Thai wedding as well as the famous underwater wedding ceremony. The Thai wedding takes place in Trang town, while the underwater ceremony commences off of the stunning Koh Kradan.

To find out more about this truly unique experience go to http://www.underwaterwedding.com/main.php

A Yachters Dream

I am always looking for interesting things going on in Krabi, as it is never as exciting as its neighbour Phuket. But this is not always a bad thing, and its beauty makes up for it. Next week this is about to change, as Krabi will come to life as a result of the Bay Regatta, South Asia’s most popular yachting event.

The race starts at Koh Maphrao and then heads south to Koh Yao Noi, Krabi and finally ends on day four at Chalong Bay in Phuket. It is said that 40 to 50 yachts will be racing and are coming in from destinations all over the world, making it Krabi’s busiest international event.

Like most events there will be plenty of parties, with each night’s party happening in a different location, following the docking of the yachts for the night. This year there are two in Krabi, although the first night, which is the second day of the race, is a free day. I am sure there will be plenty of international boaters floating about town to have interesting chats with. The third night’s event will take place at the Sheraton Krabi on Klong Muang Beach.

Those with a love of boats should definitely head that way to see these spectacular ships in actions, or to just mingle with the yachters themselves. For more information on this event or to register to race visit http://www.acyc-phuket.com/bayregatta.htm.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

Monday (the 23rd) marks the start of the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated by many families in Thailand that are of Chinese backgrounds. Although Krabi is not considered a Chinese province those wishing to celebrate this day can do so in nearby Trang.

This year is particularly special as it is the ‘Year of the Dragon’, which is the most celebrated of all the 12 Chinese zodiacs, so I have no doubt that it will truly be a special day. Trang Town will host a parade as well as a festival that is sure to last through the night. Here there will be plenty of food stalls, booths selling clothing and souvenirs at rock bottom prices, and plenty of fireworks. There will also be night entertainment that will include live music and Thai dancing.

In Trang they do things a bit different than other provinces, as they make this day a pure vegetarian day. All of your favourite Thai food will be available but none of it will contain any animal products, although surprisingly it will look as if there is meat inside. This is especially great for those that are meat-free all year as they get to try some amazing food that otherwise they are unable to eat. There will also be plenty of delicious Thai sweets to be tasted.

It is very easy to get to Trang from Krabi by both bus and car. To arrive by bus go to the bus station in Krabi town and take a bus bound for Hat Yai or Trang. By car just drive along Highway 4 and it will take you straight there.

Getting Around Krabi

Last week I wrote about the different beaches in Krabi, but many wonder how they get to these lovely beaches, especially the more secluded ones. So this week I will answer this question by listing all the possible ways to get around Krabi.

The most obvious way, as well as most convenient, is to rent a car. This is easy to do and can be arranged at most tour offices, hotels and at the airport. With a good road map Krabi is quite easy to get around, and the roads here are in excellent condition so there is no need to worry.

Next easiest is by local bus, or songtaew, which is a converted pickup truck. This is the cheapest way to get around but can be confusing for first timers, and a little bit of Thai can sometimes go a long way here. You can also hire a songtaew and driver for the day to take you to all the sights or from beach to beach.

Then there are the regular taxis that can be seen in most major tourists areas. These can be paid by metre or by a fixed price and are the obvious choice for new comers, although not the cheapest. There is also the exciting motorbike taxi, which is fantastic for short distances with few bags.

Getting to Railay can only be done by longtail boat from Ao Nong, as there are no roads here. However, this is very easy to organise and many just show up and find a longtail boat with no problems. The boat ride costs 50 to 80 Baht and leaves when it is full. But of course if you are in a hurry you can just pay for the entire boat and leave straight away.

The Beautiful Beaches of Krabi

Many are aware of Krabi’s most popular Ao Nang Beach, however some are oblivious of some of the less populated beaches in the area. So I dedicate this week’s post to the beautiful beaches of Krabi.

The most northern and least crowded of all beaches is Tubkaak Beach. It is a quiet getaway for those wanting a tranquil holiday, as there are very few resorts and restaurants here and almost zero nightlife. It is a great choice for honeymooners and couples wanting to relax.

Next is the beautiful Klong Muang Beach, which is home to many of Krabi’s five-star resorts. It is a little bit more developed than Tubkaak in the sense that there are a few shopping facilities and restaurants, but it is also popular among those seeking a relaxing and romantic holiday.

Nopparat Thara is the next beach and can be found just north of popular Ao Nang Beach. The beach is part of the Hat Noppharat Thara National Park and consists of a three-kilometre stretch of beach. It is a great place for those wanting to be close enough to Ao Nang to enjoy its amenities without having to endure the crowds, as it is within a few minutes walk away.

The last beach along Krabi’s coast is Railay. This is fast becoming a popular destination, although it has been popular among climbers for many years. It has a fantastic viewpoint, stunning lagoon and impressive cave, as well as a bustling nightlife. It is ideal for those wishing to relax in a hammock, lay on the beach, or enjoy adventure activities such as climbing and hiking.

No matter which beach you choose I am sure you will leave Krabi in awe and will have plans to return to this beautiful place again in the future.

Happy New Year!

As everyone knows, tonight is New Years Eve, and the resorts are all preparing for tonight’s festivities. Many resorts have a compulsory Gala dinner tonight, but there will be plenty of other things happening on the beaches and the streets throughout the province.

Those looking for a place to celebrate will find numerous options, with beach bars on all beaches getting ready to host a party. Most of these will come equipped with fireworks, fire dancers and plenty of alcohol to last throughout the night. Some may even have a DJ or live music. The bars throughout the towns will also be in full swing tonight, so you don’t have to be on a beach to find a party.

Although not as loud and busy as our neighbour Phuket, there is sure to be a place to please all musical tastes tonight. Whether you are in Krabi town, Ao Nang, Railay, Phi Phi or Lanta I hope you have a safe and happy New Years Eve.

Staying Fit Over the Holidays

I believe I mentioned a few months ago that I am pretty health conscious and that I do my best to stay fit and healthy all the time. This is especially true during the holiday season, as I, like many others, like to indulge. Sometimes a little too much. So I thought I would dedicate this week’s post on ways to stay healthy over the holiday season.

First, the most obvious is to go for a swim, a walk along the beach or even go on a trek in a nearby national park. Scuba diving is also a great way to burn calories, as is mountain climbing, which is a favourite to many visiting Railay. Many resorts also have fitness facilities onsite for the use of their guests, although in some cases they are only equipped with the bare minimum. If you find yourself in this situation there is no need to fret, as Krabi has some great fitness centres that are open to the public.

Another option for staying fit over the holidays is to do some Muay Thai training. This famous national sport is offered in numerous places throughout the province and is super hard work. Those wishing to push a little further can even try Krabi krabong, a Thai martial art that involves fighting with weapons.

Regardless of which you choose, any of these activities are great for keeping the holiday calories at bay. But the number one thing to remember is to have fun! After all you are on holiday.

Original Thai modern art in Krabi

Being brought up in a fairly artistic family I am always inspired by original artwork and love to visit local museums and art galleries whenever I get a chance. This is no exception in Krabi. I often find myself at the recently opened Krabi Contemporary Art Museum gazing at the beautiful artwork that fills its walls. Here the work of some famous modern Thai artists can be seen, and some paintings are even for sale. For those looking to buy an original piece to bring home this place is definitely a must.

The museum also features the work of local Krabi artists and sometimes even a few international ones, although they always strive to promote Thai artists first. This coming year the museum will feature paintings by German artists Ursula Spraul-Doring and Monika Koppold, and the exhibit will take place between January 24th, 2012 and February 24th, 2012. The opening ceremony for this show will be held at 14:30 on January 24th and all are welcome to this event.

Krabi Contemporary Art Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 and can be found on Isara Road in Krabi Town, which runs between Thanon Krabi and the Krabi River. For more information on this lovely museum call Tel. (66) 075 630 061 or email krabiartmuseum.2551@gmail.com.

Diving Around Krabi

Thailand’s diving season has begun attracting millions of tourists from all over the world wishing to get a glance at the spectacular marine life that lives in the Andaman Sea. Although the nearby Phi Phi islands are more popular among divers, those staying in Krabi don’t have to stray far as there is some good diving that can be done directly from Ao Nang.

There are seven dive sites that are accessible from Ao Nang and are still part of the Koh Phi Phi National Marine Park. Koh Yawasam is the closest site and is known for its shallow coral, making it ideal for beginners and for snorkelling. It is the best place to spot red saddleback anemonefish and also houses plenty of other reef critters. Koh Si is the next site to visit and is where schools of butterfly and angelfish can be spotted, and it is known to be the best snorkelling site in Krabi. Divers will also enjoy it here as it is home to snappers, seahorses and black-tip reef sharks. Koh Hah is the third closest site to Ao Nang and is for the more experienced diver. Here over 60 species of coral can be spotted as well as seafans, barracudas and leopard sharks.

Most divers coming to Thailand skip Krabi and head to other more popular dive havens along the Andaman coast but this is not necessary. With all of Krabi’s other beautiful sights and attractions it is a destination that all divers should try not to miss.

Khao Kop Cave

Krabi is well known for its amazing scenery, and other than its beaches this is one of the province’s biggest draws. But few tourists wander outside of the popular tourist area to explore other amazing sights, such as in the neighbouring province of Trang.

Trang has always been one of my favourite Thai provinces due to its untouched natural beauty. While in Krabi it is very easy to take a trip to one of Trang’s most popular sights the Khao Kop Cave. This amazing natural attraction consists of a stream that goes through the cave for around four kilometres.

To get inside and explore the cave visitors must take a boat trip along the canal and into the cave where they will be surrounding by spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. When exiting the cave visitors will notice that it resembles a dragon’s belly, and the most exciting parts of the journey is the 350 metres where all passengers must lie flat in order to pass through the hole and back to the outside world.

This trip is easy to do on your own or with a tour company from Krabi. To go on your own it is best to rent a car and drive south along highway 4. After entering Trang province drive for around 30kms to a seafood restaurant and a turn off going right, which will lead you to the cave. Once arriving there will be ample rowboats and a guide will take you through. The fee for one boat is 200 Baht and can hold a maximum of six people.

For more information visit visit http://www.tourismthailand.org/what-to-see-do/sights-attractions/info-page/destination/trang/cat/37/attraction/5731/pa