Change of Plans...Krabi instead of Ko Samui and Ko Tao

So, we learn that there are 5m waves and shitty weather over in Ko Samui and Ko Tao. We make the executive decision to change course and head to Krabi. I'm actually excited about the change, as now I have a chance to check out the several small islands and beaches along the Andaman Sea.

It's about a 3 hour drive from Khao Sok National Park to Ao Nang, our home for three nights. We stay at a small hotel called J Guesthouse, just outside of Ao Nang (which is better, because Ao Nang isn't super nice, just really touristy and a hub to head to other beaches/islands). The hotel is super clean, and I am excited to stay in a nice place for a few nights. We walk around town, lots of touristy shops, etc. and we head to an amazing seafood dinner. Everything is caught fresh. I got a whole red snapper and a tiger prawn. Just simply BBQ'd and served with sauces like sweet and sour sauce, fish sace, something with garlic and chilis.

SNORKELING IN PARIDISE
Our second day in Krabi (BTW, Krabi is a province, but also a city. We stayed in Krabi the province, but the city of Ao Nang), we head out snorkeling and off to different islands. This was an INCREDIBLE DAY. We take a speed boat and hoppped around. We went to:
- Monkey Island
- Ko Phi Phi Lei (Maya Beach...this is where "The Beach" was filmed)
- Ko Phi Phi Lei Lagoon
- Ko Phi Phi Don
- Bamboo Island
My favorite by far was Bamboo Island. So quite, no buildings, as it is a national park. Super white sand beaches and blue/green clear waters. Maya Beach was beautiful too, but it was super packed with people and boats coming in and out.

MUAY THAI BOXING
That night, we head to a muay thai boxing match. By the way, there has been a truck that has been driving up and down the main street in Ao Nang announcing the boxing match nonstop. We hop on a bus to take us to the stadium. It's a free bus (if you have a ticket) and it is suuuuuuper packed. We get there, get some Chang and Singha beers and get setteled. They start off with youngies, about 9 or 10. Kind of weird seeing kids fight, but that's how they start training. Muay Thai boxing is very neat. First of all, there's a live band. By a live band, I mean snake charmer like music...a gong keeping the beat and a recorder type instrument doing the tune. The sport itself is quite spiritual. The fighters wear a head piece and do prayers before each match. After they fight, they help each other up, sometimes hug. Good sportsmanship. We saw about 3 knockouts! Kind of crazy....fun night!

ROCK CLIMBING AND RAILAY
The next day (our last full day in Krabi), I head with a few folks over to Railay (a near by beach reachable only by long tail boat). We rock climb for the morning. A lot harder than I rembember, but I made it to the top of all 4 of my climbs. In the afternoon, we head to Pra Nang beach. This beach is great. One, it has a shrine of penises, called Princes Cave. Two, the sand is super fine and almost white. Three, the water is clear and nice and blue/green. You can stand up far away and see your feet! Four, there are cool caves that you can crawl/swim around. In general, it is a smaller beach, not TOO crowded and made for a fantastic day. After this day, we topped it off with a nice beach side Thai Massage for 200 Baht (the conversion rate is 34 Baht/dollar)

LAST NIGHT IN KRABI/AO NANG
After a splendid time in Krabi, we all hit the bar called Chang Bar. Chang means elephant. This is the last real night with everyone in the group. Some people in the group even got tattoos today!!! We all have some drinks, do some dancing and have a grand time. They play some reggae, one of which is a group called Job 2 Do, which I guess is really poplular Thai reggae. Just my style...I pick up the CD the next day before we leave.