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DAY 5: KRABI - PHANG NGA - PHUKET (185 kms.)
| Krabi
The small downtown area of Krabi is located opposite mangroves
on one bank of the Krabi Yai river. Several hotels are found
in the centre of town , which forms a small square below a low
hill. The best places to stay, however, are amongst the 390
km2 of the Hat Nopparat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi Marine National
Park 12 kms. distant. Boats to Phi Phi Don Island, considered
the most spectacular of all islands, leave from the jetty in
front of town (10:00 & 14:30. 300 Bt. return. Overnight required).
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Khao Phanom Bencha National Park and
Wat Tham Sua
The 500 km2 park protects a small range of mountainous rain forest
(Khao Phanom is 1,350 metres high) which contains several species
of large mammals as well as 156 species of bird. A sealed road goes
20 kms from H4 to the park HQ, nearby which are the 11 tiers of the
Huai To Falls.
Wat Tham Sua is a famous meditation temple set in caves. The path
past the monks quarters and main hall set in a shallow cave leads
to a 1,272 step climb to the top of the ridge and a 'meditation valley'
of tall trees and limestone caves.
South of Krabi
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Places to visit south of Krabi include the 2.5 km Tung Tieo Nature
trail (16 kms. from Khlong Thom - good for bird-watchers) and Ko Lanta,
where more beaches and bungalows on the west side of the island may
be reached after a short ferry ride. Full information with maps may
be found in an informative 46 page booklet "Krabi; Holiday Guide"
(90 Baht)
North and West from Krabi along H4
At Ao Luk (H4 KM.149) H4039 to Laem Sak goes past the Than Bok Khorani
National Park (2 kms.) where a river emerges from a cave to flow through
groves in a valley enclosed by vertical limestone walls. Lot Cave
(turn right [west] after 5 kms and then first left [south] on newly
sealed roads) is accessible only by boat.
Phang Nga
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The fastest way to Phang Nga from Krabi is by H415 south from Thap
Phut district town (amphoe), but the older northern route on H4 is
more scenic. Phang Nga is a small provincial capital stretching along
three kilometres of H4 in a valley between limestone bluffs. Restaurants
are found near the bus station, but the accommodation in the town
is basic.
Go to Tha Dan (H4. KM.34 east turn. 8 kms.) for boat tours (500 -
600 Bt./boat) through the creeks and mangroves out to Phang Nga Bay.
Sights include Koh Phang Ngi, where a Muslim fishing village survives
on stilts and tourism, and 'James Bond Island'. Local places inland
to visit out of town include the modest Manohra Falls (east turn 4
kms. north of Phang Nga on side road [4 kms.]) and Wat Tham Suwankhuha
(KM.31 west turn. 1 km.).
From Phang Nga the return to Phuket (87 kms.) is by the main highway
H4 to Key Point 4, the intersection of H4 at Khok Kloi with H402.
Take H402 across the Sarasin bridge to the island province of Phuket
and to the end of you tour at our airport office.
DAY 5: SIDE TRIPS
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ST2 Hat Nopparat Thara, Ao Phra Nang, & Su San Hoi (H4034)
Limestone monoliths soar sheer above azure waters, coral sand beaches
and coconut palm groves of the Phra Nang Headland. Boats may easily
be hired at the southern end of Ao Nang Beach, where numerous bungalow
resorts are located, to explore the nearby islands. . Scuba and rock
climbing adventures are available at several of the guest houses on
Rai Leh Beach, which may only be reached by boat. To the east, the
Su San Hoi beach consists of a 30 cm. layer of 75 million year-old
fossil rock. Visitors may find the nearby souvenir stalls more interesting
than the slabs of rock. |
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Cars
