Fringe at the Ginge...
As is common in this house, Trip Advisor was the oracle used to narrow down some accomm. in Southern Thailand. Between the generations searching independently, the Red Ginger Chic Hotel was common on the list. It proved to be a gem. Located on the fringe of the tourist hub bub of Ao Nang, it had everything but was removed from the hullabaloo of Ao Nang Beach. Thankfully we had the gals with us, and so could answer with collective truth, the questions posed on the signage.
15 metres outside the front entrance as we were at our tailors and a longtail boat to Railay Beach was close by as was a passable soy latte and the like.
15 metres outside the front entrance as we were at our tailors and a longtail boat to Railay Beach was close by as was a passable soy latte and the like.
Just over a week in Ao Nang near Krabi is not nearly long enough. Just when we found the perfect massage venue that offered superb service at a price worthy of the treatment but still cheap compared to home, our time was up!
Boosabakorn Spa I salute you. Sure, it wasn't 300B for an hour, but then you weren't in a small shopfront venue getting definetely that for which you paid! Anne and G found it as their Xmas Day treat whilst Ellen and I were diving. What a find.
A day at Railay Beach was great fun and Anne and I spent a lovely 90 mins or so lying back on Thai lounges on a bamboo deck overlooking a quiet bay sipping on very passable filtered coffee. This was a good 20 minute walk away from crowded Raillay Beach where most people gather. Yes, nice beach but crowded with folk from all over the world. Certainly not as serene (can't you just feel the serenity Darryl) as the cafe at the end of the western point.
Boosabakorn Spa I salute you. Sure, it wasn't 300B for an hour, but then you weren't in a small shopfront venue getting definetely that for which you paid! Anne and G found it as their Xmas Day treat whilst Ellen and I were diving. What a find.
A day at Railay Beach was great fun and Anne and I spent a lovely 90 mins or so lying back on Thai lounges on a bamboo deck overlooking a quiet bay sipping on very passable filtered coffee. This was a good 20 minute walk away from crowded Raillay Beach where most people gather. Yes, nice beach but crowded with folk from all over the world. Certainly not as serene (can't you just feel the serenity Darryl) as the cafe at the end of the western point.
In a practice of long standing, before selfies were known as such Anne and I have been snapping with DSLR and now iPhones, a pic of ourselves. Here is the latest!
Diving Delights
The local dives at Ao Nang on Xmas Day and the Boxing Day dives across the bay at Phi Phi Islands were quite pleasant and whilst the coral and seabed were a bit naff, there was plenty of piscine life about. Thanks to fellow diver Toyoda, who was as good as his word and shared his pics, I bring you my favourite snap from his collection ~ the school of barracuda that hung about for a bit.
With good and or passable viz on the dives, there was much to see. Whilst Ellen missed out on the turtle, it has been 3 from 3 for me from the last three locations (Vanuatu, GBR off Cairns and Phi Phi) for some turtle time (and footage).
Lae Lay Grill ~ Xmas Day Dinner
Gigi took on the challenge of finding the right restaurant to share an evening meal in celebration of Christmas Day, spa treatments and diving... and she did not disappoint. Picked up from the Red Ginger by their courtesy van and driven three minutes up the hill to the Lae Lay Grill, we timed our meal to take in the sunset over the bay. Sadly due to cloud cover we had the deepening of dusk, but that was rather good itself. The view from Lae Lay rather pleasant all on its own. The ambience, service, quality of food was impeccable. A special dining experience we all enjoyed together.
Infographics Thai Style
There is no doubt that the Thai people are modest on one level and upfront and in ya face on others and I am not talking about ping pong balls fired across a bar room with pin point accuracy. Somewhere in my files from a trip to Thailand long ago is standing shadow graphic complete with urine stream indicating the location of the male toilet. These are clearly the upgraded illuminated versions from the Siam Centre. Too good to not snap...
The Other Grand P
Yes, other mighty fine P is the Grand Palace. Home to exquisite edifi that give new meaning to glitter and gold. The giants are favourite. However, the creepy warrior monk statue that Elle and Georgia stood next to for one of many compulsory photographs created a new favourite.
Wat the...?
Wat Phra Si Sanphet & Wat Mongkol lie within the old city of Siam known as Ayutthaya. (1350-1752 or thereabouts) Located 85 km north of Bangkok, it was the home to a succession of royalty who built impressive religious edifices throughout the landscape ~ many of which were sacked by invasion forces from Burma on a seemingly regular basis over the centuries. I suspect the Burmese forces enjoyed setting on fire a 16m high buddhas to melt the 360kg or so of gold from the statue... and in doing so burned down chedis and stupas in the process.
Wikipedia states:
"Founded around 1350, Ayutthaya became the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai. (The historical Sukhothai was the first capital of Siam founded by King Ramkhamhaeng. ) Throughout the centuries, the ideal location between China, India and the Malay Archipelago made Ayutthaya the trading capital of Asia and even the world. By 1700 Ayutthaya had become the largest city in the world with a total of 1 million inhabitants. Many international merchants set sail for Ayutthaya, from diverse regions as the Arab world, China, India, Japan, Portugal, the Netherlands and France. Merchants from Europe proclaimed Ayutthaya as the finest city they had ever seen."
Wikipedia states:
"Founded around 1350, Ayutthaya became the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai. (The historical Sukhothai was the first capital of Siam founded by King Ramkhamhaeng. ) Throughout the centuries, the ideal location between China, India and the Malay Archipelago made Ayutthaya the trading capital of Asia and even the world. By 1700 Ayutthaya had become the largest city in the world with a total of 1 million inhabitants. Many international merchants set sail for Ayutthaya, from diverse regions as the Arab world, China, India, Japan, Portugal, the Netherlands and France. Merchants from Europe proclaimed Ayutthaya as the finest city they had ever seen."