Re-post : Travel Log Krabi 2

The full day tour package have been booked via agent from the hotel itself.
At first i was contemplating whether to book via hotel or to go out at Ao Nang and check which travel agent that can offer with a good price.
Since homework had been done previously and also we have narrow down to 2 day tour option which is either .....
a) Kayaking at Bor Thor + Elephant trekking
b) Kayaking at Ao Thalane + Elephant trekking

My brother had went to Krabi previously and they took kayaking to Ao Thalan but because the tide was low some routes through the caves had to be cancelled.
I would love to have Bor Thor since it said to kayak and explore the caves but then again if the tide is low then we might not be able to paddle through the cave.
The safe option is Ao Thalan.
Surfing the net indicates that it will cost about 1500bath per person for full day which inclusive Transfers from hotel, Fruits, Water, lunch at Phutara , swimming at Phutara , Guige & Kayak and elephant trekking as well.
The price that we got 1300bath per person.

Journey from hotel to the kayak place is about 45 mins ride in a mini truck.
Habis muka memang berhabuk kena tanah merah , we also passed by the villages and surprisingly – several MOSQUES.
To find halal food was not a problem because in South Thailand they have quite a lot of Muslim. The food seller are mostly Muslim (wearing hijab as well).
I was excited to see when we went passed lady wearing their hijab or even mosque.

Anyway, after getting to the base camp; it was definitely an atmosphere change. The sea water smell of swamp.

They gave us a waterproof bag so that you can store in your camera , cause when u start paddling .. you dont want ur babies to get wet.
As for our backpack , the guide ask us to just leave it in the truck and he promise he will lock it safe until we are back again.

Who need a life jacket ?
Ok those who can't swim might need one because , lucky for us it was high tide and we can do paddle our way with no interuptions. The water is 2feet (or was it meter) deep.
I'm not wearing one coz i think i can still survive if the kayak turnover. At least i know how to float.
The wave is more calm, but when the guide show us that we need to go to  point B across the sea from the jetty was like whoa!.
The first 5minutes i was padlling dengan gembira-nya and then pancit and we are not even 1/4 of the journey.
I really pity my partner coz heeheh he has to do most of the kayaking..even the guide say "me no good". o__O
When i first agreed to kayaking activities instead of island hoping for this Krabi trip, I really thought kayaking would be a brief stroll – but it’s really a serious exercise for your arms and shoulder.
Imagine it takes about 3.5 hours paddling not just any paddling in the open sea...but going through difficult terrain as well.
First is the open sea (oh the most difficult time i had paddling coz its tiring) then through caves (passing through caves actually) and then it’s like less than a meter wide gap between the mangrove forest – where you literally have to duck to avoid getting your head bumped.
I had to use my leg and paddle and hands to make sure i won't get hit by sharp pointy branches / tress and stagmite or the caves.

We even also got stuck in between the magrovees  tress.
I'm pretty sure the monkey might have cause us ^__^.
There is this part where going through the mangroves , wild monkeys will come and visit you and even climb up to your canoe.
The guide had prepare us with bananas so that the monkey can come and have it. Oh boy i tell you , as soon we saw the first monkey at sight .. there's more coming.
It's like they can smell human approaching and attack the food.
These monkey won't harm you unless you provoke them , so when there's couple of this creature swim and came up to our canoe and believe it .. even walk over me and the best part sit siap duduk atas peha ( bulu all wet) and have her/his banana.
Geli sgt!!! tapi tak bole nk provoke kang habis muka kena calar.

So sometimes while paddling and we dont have any bananas anymore ...because of afraid that the monkey might jump and surprise you...our kayak hahah stuck in magroves.. or againts the direction we are suppose to go.
hihihiihhihi..

After a hard day of paddling – we go back to our pick up and reach Phutara.
I really tot that Phutara was actually like deep in the forest but instead it was like we were at someone backyard that have a small pond to it.

Krabi Phu Tara, We 're the ultimate relaxation in the tropical green garden of Krabi. A small and clear canal passing through the resort allows you to enjoyswimming and canoeing in the naturally fresh atmosphere, and is also the perfect place to relish a refreshment or snack."

Lunch was serve here , 4 dishes all yummy and halal :-)
Then off for a swim in the clear canal.

Despite earlier as i mention , i was like at someone backyard but it was nice to be able to jump and swim in a cool water after hours of paddling in sea under the hot sun.
I would say a good mix of activities.

Then off we go to the elephant camp for elephant trekking.
There are a few elephant camp that i notice when were on our way to Ao Thalane and back to Phutara , so i guess the elephant is widely found here in Krabi.
( Hope i won't get both my WWF cousin to be mad at me if these elephant going instict)
So when i first saw this huge creature ...... i got PANIC.
why ?
cause i am so afraid of height and to even sit on this elephant we had to climb it from a 1 storey high balcony and as the elephant walk and go down the baby hill i was holding as might i can to railing and seats.
Well i need at least 10minutes to get use to it ( to have the courage) and then enjoy the view.
It was pretty disappointed with the ride because the track that the camp have was not into the jungle but more of lalu jln parit just next to the street.Well there is only couple of instance where the track go in to the jungle tapi sikit je la.
I really feel sorry for the elephant at first because it must be heavy to carry two human plus the seat on their back although i understand that elephant use to be means of transportation during our encestor.
I didnt dare to even put my feet on the back of the elephant so i just kept it hanging to the side...someone rasa pity nk pijak.
Still , it was an interesting ride for me .. i get to see elephant poo poo and had tummy problem. Elephant is also smart enough that when they walk the'll make sure they won't step on their shits.
The guide is also good in a way it just let the elephant stop if it want to eat which i find it pleasing since we are using it for touring.

All of the activities for a full day of kayaking at Ao Thalan , swimming at Phutara and elephant trekking end about 4pm (local) and by 4.30pm we are back in the hotel.

..more to come in next entry.