Thailand 2013 - Krabi Ride

"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful...” - Joshua J. Marine

(Black Crab View Point)

It was a ride full of disasters...

Friday morning our alarm wake up call was sharp at 0500. This morning the bikers gang planned to meet at Sg Buluh R&R and start riding north around 0630. It was raining very heavily. We had breakfast of toast and half-boiled eggs at home while waiting for the rain to stop.

Altogether there were 7 bikes with 3 pillion riders. Because of the heavy rain everyone was late. We started riding around 0700 in the light drizzle. First stop for refueling was at Simpang Pulai. The rain had stopped, the weather was cool and cloudy. The ride towards north was smooth all the way. When we stopped at Juru, one bike experienced low battery power so the gang detoured to Mega Fortune at Prai to check the problem. To get a second opinion we decided to go to a workshop in Bertam where we had lunch while waiting for the mechanic to diagnose and replace the coil.

(Checking the battery and coil...)

We crossed the border at Bukit Kayu Hitam almost at 1800 and decided to ride direct to Krabi. While on the road we called the hotel in Krabi to book 5 double rooms and warned them to expect us to check-in late at night.

The weather was fine all the way to Krabi. We stopped for refueling and had a light dinner before we checked in J Mansion 2 Hotel, a new hotel a distance away from Ao Nang beach. We had a late dinner at a nearby Muslim restaurant and retired to bed way after midnight.

(All geared up to island hop!)

Saturday morning everyone woke up early for breakfast. After breakfast we packed our things and moved to J Mansion Hotel nearer to Ao Nang beach. This morning we planned to go for Island-hopping and the picked up was 0830 at the hotel lobby. We have been to Krabi many times but this is the first time we are going for island-hopping. It is said that Krabi is one of the best cruising grounds in the world with hundreds of islands and archipelagos of the Andaman Sea.

(Clusters of pristine islands) 

(Hot and sunny clear weather...)

We boarded the 20 seater speed boat at Noppharat beach. The weather was excellent with clear blue skies. The journey crossed the open ocean to reach the islands and the water was quite choppy. Those seated in front had a bad experience of being bounced uncontrollably and some of us had to move to the back to avoid injuries. One biker had a bad back injury and need to visit the hospital on Koh Phi Phi. Hopefully it was only a minor muscle spasm not injury to the spinal column. After a jab of strong pain killer he was able to stand and continue with the tour. The day tour took us to famous beaches with pristine white sands and turquoise water such as Bamboo island, Monkey Bay and the many coves of Koh Phi Phi.

(Crossing the rough sea...)

(A nice place for diving and snorkeling)

The boat stopped at a few coves for swimming and snorkeling and picture taking. Lunch was at a restaurant on Ko Phi Phi and was inclusive in the package.

(Swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear water)

(Speed boats docking on the beach of Ko Phi Phi)

The journey back was as rough but we were lucky to sit quite comfortably at the back. Next time we’ll take the island-hopping package on the traditional long-tail boat instead to avoid back or neck injuries.

We reached our hotel late afternoon. After a refreshing shower we walked along Ao Nang beach and bought a few dry bags and souvenirs. Dinner was at one of the Muslim food stalls along the main road. Later we went for a relaxing foot reflexology and took the tuk-tuk to go back to the hotel. Tonight we slept like a log, with muscle pain all over.

(A short lunch break on Ko Phi Phi)

Sunday morning everyone was ready in the lobby by 0730 but it was raining very heavily to start riding. We waited till the rain stopped before we rode out and stopped at one of the stalls in front of the mosque. There were varieties of local delicacies to chose from but I had my favorite nasi kerabu and pulut kaya. We rode to Krabi town and stopped at Black Crab View Point for some photo shots. When we were there one of the bikes had problems with its battery. We were lucky to get assistance from one of the local bikers to purchase a replacement battery as all workshops were closed on Sunday.

(The bikers gang at Black Crab View Point)

It was almost 1000 when we rode out of Krabi. On the way we stopped once for refueling and reach Danok almost 1600 and had late lunch at restaurant Kak Jah. Border clearing was smooth and efficient. We had a few more stops along the way to KL for refueling and solat break and finally split ways after teh tarik at Ulu Bernam R&R.

We rode leisurely and reached our apartment way after midnight...

Date: 23 - 25 August 2013

Total mileage: 1770 km

Route: KL - Bukit Kayu Hitam - Krabi - KL

Bikers gang: Mus/Mun, Munawar/Rose, Shanaz/Azrul, Zali, Tawfik, Syed, Zaini and Masran

👈👈 2013: Q2 3-Nation Ride

2013: Melbourne/KL 👉👉