Krabi October 2016 Itinerary

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Ao Nang' Famous Statue

Strong Wave

ITINERARY
17 - 20 October 2016 (4D3N)
2 pax

17 Oct (Mon)
0630 - 0650 : Boarding
0710 - 0730 : KUL to KBV (1 hour 20 mins)
0810 - 0830 : Check-in/ leave bag @ Apasari Krabi Hotel
1100 - 1200 : Massage @ Dear Massage
1210 - 1530 : Zohor & Asar
1230 - 1330 : Lunch
1808 - 1914 : Maghrib & Isya'
1800 - 2030 : Explore Nopparat Thara Beach  & dinner
Lights out

18 Oct (Tue)
0502 - 0611 : Subuh
0830 - 0900 : Breakfast
1030 - 1130 : Massage @ Hut No. 10
1210 - 1530 : Zohor & Asar
1300 - 1400 : Lunch
Free & easy
1808 - 1914 : Maghrib & Isya'
2000 - 2100 : Massage @ Khun Tak
2100 - 2200 : Dinner @ Klang Soi Seafood
Lights out

19 Oct (Wed)
*Book airport transfer

0502 - 0611 : Subuh
Free & easy
1210 - 1530 : Zohor & Asar
1330 - 1430 : Massage @ Massage Corner
1500 - 1600 : Late lunch. Tarpao food to Nopparat Thara Beach
1807 - 1913 : Maghrib & Isya'
1930 - 2030 : Shopping
2030 - 2130 : Massage @ Massage Corner
Lights out


20 Oct (Thu)
0502 - 0611 : Subuh
0545 - 0600 : Check-out. Airport transfer pick up
0720 - 0740 : Boarding
0800 - 1020 : KBV to KUL (we arrived almost 20 mins earlier than scheduled)

Islands that can be seen from Ao Nang Beach

EXPENDITURE
for 2 pax

Spa = 2500 THB

Shopping = 147 THB

What is it like to visit Krabi in October?

Well... since October is still in the wet season, it was wet. It rained every day but somehow, I still managed to get a little sunburnt.

Ao Nang Beach

Nopparat Thara Beach

Should you visit Krabi in October?

If a little rain doesn't bother you, GO! We walked everywhere because it wasn't hot so we saved a lot on transport. Tuk-tuks around Ao Nang only cost 30 THB - 40 THB (total minimum fee is 60 THB) one way per person but if you take them everywhere, they do add up to quite a lot.

Coffee & Hot Chocolate during Rain

  Also, our main reasons for going are massage and street food. While we had to wait for rain to ease down before we can go out for food, massage could be done anytime.

Someone forgot his umbrella at Hut No. 10

Best Massage Ever!

  It is still possible to visit the islands and I saw tours starting from 400 THB per person. Price changes everyday. But the sea was rough and the sky wasn't blue. So that might put a damper on snorkeling and dull your vacation photos.

Tempura Squid (Recommended)

Walkway to Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas

There are at least 3 different Centara(s) in Ao Nang. It can get confusing :)

Nopparat Thara

Nopparat Thara Beach - away from the construction

Evening at Nopparat Thara Beach

I walked around Ao Nang SO much, my feet hurt. However, I purposely booked a nice, spacious room with pool access for this trip because I did plan to laze around in the room a lot! 

Note: You can rent scooter for 200 THB per day but you'll have to leave your passport. Alternatively, some companies allow you to leave cash deposit (3000 THB) instead of passport.

Bel's Kitchen, Jelutong

Bel's Kitchen

26 Karpal Singh Drive 2

11600 Jelutong

Pulau Pinang

(6012) 405 8151

Operating Hours

1100 - 1500, 1800 - 2300

Closed on Sunday

Taste - Delicious!

Price - Average. RM49.60 for 2 pax

Ambiance - Reminded me of franchise restaurants like Nando's but with poor ventilation

Tea (set) and Lime Soda (RM6.90)

Macaroni & Cheese (RM17.90)

Curry Kapitan Rice Set (RM15.90)

We also tarpaoed honey chicken wings for RM8.90. Good food with average price. Service could be faster.
 I'd recommend this place for casual dining and lunch with officemates. 

Overall 3 1/2 <3<3<3< of 5

Sungai Lembing Museum

Sungai Lembing Museum

Jalan Museum

Sungai Lembing

26200 Kuantan

Pahang Darul Makmur

Operating Hours

0900 - 1700 daily

Closed on first day of Eid ul Fitr/Adha

This museum is situated on a hill. No public vehicle is allowed to go up to the museum. There is a small parking area just outside the museum's gate.

The ticket office is at the foot of the hill, near the entrance. Next to the ticket office are the souvenir shop and washroom. I dropped by the souvenir shop and I must say that I was impressed with their offerings. A lot better than most museums I've visited.

***

Admission Fee(s)

Adult - RM2

Senior Citizen/Disabled - RM1

Child - Free

Foreigners

Adult - RM5

Child - RM2

Considering the museum's location, I thought it must be some angmoh tin mine manager's bungalow or police station. It turned out to be the former and also the place for His Majesty, Sultan Abu Bakar Riayatuddin Muadzam Shah (4th Ruler of Pahang) to stay while visiting in Sungai Lembing.

Personally, I think that the museum is managed fairly well. The information on tin mining and other relevant topics are well-presented in many forms of media and style. They have diorama, video presentation, photos and graphs along with the many artefacts on display. My only comment would be on the layout. The flow should be improved. I had trouble finding some galleries because they were outside the main hall.  

Go out of the 'house' to find more galleries before going upstairs

Impressive full scale diorama of tin mine and video presentation

Mining Machines Collection

Upstairs 'Living Room' - video on Sungai Lembing

Master bedroom 

Overall, plan to spend about 2 to 3 hours in this museum. However, I do not recommend taking the elderly and disabled for a visit due to various inconvenient museum settings.

Tai Pei Tong, Sungai Lembing

Lombong Bijih Timah Bawah Tanah

Sungai Lembing

Tai Pei Tong

Operating Hours

0900 - 1800 daily (break at 1300 to 1400)

Admission Fee(s)

Adult with MyKad - RM15.90

Child with MyKid - RM7.95

Foreigners

Adult - RM31.80

Child - RM15.90

***

The Sungai Lembing Tin Mines was reopened so visitors could explore and experience a part of the deepest and longest underground mine in the world. It is located up on a hill right next to the Sungai Lembing Museum.

Wait for the train here

After a short and very noisy ride, we walked down the tunnel to continue our exploration. 

There are lit boards with many interesting information on Sungai Lembing and mining on the wall for you to learn. They helped to provide some context on the ground you're exploring. Then there are interactive exhibitions and mannequins showcasing various activities in a tin mines.

One tunnel led to an area with a screen to show videos on Legend of the Million Dollar Chamber and The Tin Mining Story. Visitors may choose English or Malay language. 

During my visit, we reached a dark tunnel just after an interactive display. Other tunnels have metal bar or 'No Entry' signages. So a bunch of us went ahead using light from our phones. It turned out that there were more to see down the really dark tunnel.

 When we returned, I asked a staff at the entrance and he thought that there must be a power trip and reassured us that we were not trespassing. He immediately asked some crew to check and restore the power.

 So, bring a torch or phone with light just in case. And stay calm.

Prayer room

Exit is located near the spot where the train stopped. Outside, there are outdoor exhibitions but a couple areas near the front gate looked abandoned. 

Expect to spend less than an hour here. Maybe two if visiting during school holidays.

Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Cherating

Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Cherating

Lot 1303, Mukim Sungai Karang

26080 Kuantan

Pahang Darul Makmur

(+609) 581 9500

Holiday Villa Beach Resort and Eastern Pavilion share the same main entrance. You should be able to easily spot the entrance from main road. Use Waze or Google Map so you won't miss it. Plenty of parking spots available. If you booked one of the pavilion, you get a reserved parking spot.

We arrived at past 4 p.m. and check-in was fuss-free. I booked directly with the hotel from its website and so payment + deposit by credit card was taken during check-in. After filling up a simple form, the helpful reception gave me a set of keys and breakfast voucher.

I booked the family suite and it comes with breakfast for four pax even though the website stated two adults. There is no elevator and you'll have to walk from lobby to find the correct stairs and then climb up to your room. 

So remember to inform the hotel if you're traveling with elderly or special needs and require room on the ground floor. 

The suites have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. With the daybed in living room, five adults can stay comfortably in one suite.

'View' from balcony

Common area

Pool

Beach Restaurant (breakfast area)

Breakfast selection was okay. Nothing memorable but I love the ambiance since you can hear the waves and enjoy the sea breeze.

Booking - Easy

Rate - Family Suite 2D1N for RM540.60 inclusive breakfast. Good value

Location - Good. Beach property. Need transport to get around but there are restaurants within walking distance

Dining - Average food, nice ambiance

Service - Good

Beach