This is the last day of our Krabi adventure. After exploring the wonderful beaches, it is now time to head to its magnificent mountains and hot springs. We booked this trip from one of the travel agents in Krabi Town. As the tour does not include lunch, we bought packed lunch from 7-11 before the trip. The van picked us up from our hotel around 10 am.

It took around one and a half hour to reach our first stop, the hot spring. As it is peak season, the place is full of tourists. Since the place is not big enough for large crowds, tour operators allocate only 45 minutes to stay in this place. This time includes changing your clothes so it is advisable to wear swimming attire underneath so as not to waste time. Going to the hot spring takes 15-minute walk. In there, you could see small river and short waterfalls.

Walk further will lead to Klong Thom Thermal Waterfall. The water is warm and relaxing. The small waterfall is approximately 5 meters high and 10 meters wide by an underground thermal mineral water source which surfaces in a manner similar to hot springs and joins to form a stream due to the sloping terrain. Up on top there are several ponds resembling bathtubs which visitors can take a relaxing dip. The average temperature is 42 degrees Celsius which is believed to be beneficial to good health like a natural spa. The surroundings are covered by forests, shady and quite, suitable for relaxation.  We first took pictures around the place and then took a dip for 20 minutes before going back to our van.

A visit to the Hot Springs would not be complete without a trip to the nearby ‘Crystal Pool’ in Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve. Also known as Emerald Pool. After everyone in our group has entered the van, we proceed to our next destination, this is an astonishingly-hued and large natural pool that is filled with pure spring water – although at ambient temperature. Swimming is possible here.

It took another 30 minutes to reach the place. Upon arrival we were given directions on how to reach the pool. As food is not allowed in the nature reserve, we have to leave it to our driver. This time two hours is given for us. The emerald pool is a bit far from the entrance of the nature reserve, roughly 1 kilometer away. Along the way, you will see forest and few animals. The place is also full of tourists and also a number of locals taking a swim. As the name implies, pool is colored green however we find the water is not very clean. 

Time now is 2 pm. As some of the people in our group is going back to Ao Nang beach, we requested the driver to drop us also to the beach instead of back to our hotel. Since this will be our last day, we spend it exploring Ao Nang. Ao Nang is one of the most popular beach here in Krabi, having said that, it has a lot of hotels, beach resorts, restaurants and shops. We took some photos of the beach and did some shopping. 

Tip: Staying here would be more expensive than Krabi Town but it is way more lively.

At about 5 pm, we ride Songthaew to return back to Krabi Town, fare is 50 baht/ pax. Please note that it only runs until 9pm, after that time you will need to hire an expensive taxi to return to Krabi Town. We were dropped by near Vogue Mall and Wat Kaewkorawaram Buddhist Temple is across it.

We then had dinner at the market. Believe it or not, 2 rice meals (choose 2 dish) + appetizer at only 80 baht! Cheap! Also, the market sells some food souvenirs to bring back home.

This is the end of our Krabi + Phuket Trip. Just a reward for you, here is a map of Krabi we took at the airport, to help you plan for your Krabi trip.

Till our next tour!

If you have watched the movie entitled "The Man with the Golden Gun", you should be familiar with today's main attraction

The Man With The Golden Gun

Phang Nga Bay is an impressive body of water at over 400 km² and is renowned for its many dramatic limestone islands. A long-tail boat tour is the perfect way to explore Phang Nga Bay. These distinctive sheer rock formations jut vertically out of the emerald green water and at low tide hidden lagoons can be found through exposed cave tunnels entered by sea canoes.

Phang Nga Bay

Our first stop for this tour is Khao Phingkan and Ko Tapu which are near each other. Khao Phingkan means (two) hills leaning against each other. In fact, the two islets (hills) forming Khao Phingkan are connected by a tiny beach. But one of them is split in two, with one leaning against the other.

Entrance to James Bond Island

Leaning against Khao Phingkan

Standing alone in the sea some 200 metres from Khao Phingkan is the tiny Ko Tapu, or Nail Islet. Looking like a spike driven into the sea, it is perhaps the most photographed object in the whole marine park. It has become a symbol of the park, especially since the Hollywood production -The Man with the Golden Gun, starring James Bond, was partly shot here.

Ko Tapu

After then we went for a tour around the mangroves and caves with the long-tail boat, while others were sea canoeing. Tham Lot is a limestone grotto sculptured by weather and the sea water. The cave is large enough to allow two or three boats going through side by side. There are also stalactites hanging down from the roof, but not as beautiful as those found in a mountain cave, probably because their formation has been constantly interfered by forces of nature.

Mangrove and Cave

And while waiting for the sea canoes group, we have ample time to relax and have some refreshments on the boat. 

Relax Mode = ON

A Phang Nga Bay tour may take you to Ko Panyi, a village built on stilts. The mosque and the graveyard are the only places which are built on ground. It's a tourist trap during the day as many tours also stop here. Some tours will give you the option of staying overnight, which is preferable to really experience the village as the village returns to normal in the evening. We had our lunch here.

Ko Panyi

After refilling our tanks, our next stop is Suwankuha Temple or Monkey Cave. It has a big reclining buddha inside the cave and a lot of monkey outside the temple. Here are some photos.

Monkey Cave

And last, but not the least, we were brought to a place to refresh ourselves as a treat. We visited Ton Tai Waterfall. The water is cold, perfect for a very warm and sweaty day! You may have your free fish spa in here :)

Ton Tai Waterfall

This ends our James Bond Tour. Tomorrow I shall be with you again for our last day of tour.