issue 49 - AsiaLIFE Magazine

Photos by Ellie DyerFor those wanting to escape thetourist traps of Koh Phi Phi and Phuket,idylls can still be foundoffering shrimp the size of lobsters.Accommodation is bothnumerous and wide-ranging.Budget huts can be booked forUS $12 per night upwards.How to get there: Thai Airand AirAsia run flights toKrabi from Bangkok. A twohour shared minibus to KohLanta’s beaches from Krabiairport costs around 300 baht(US $10).Remote TrangPure white sand, crystal clearwaters and lush tropical forestsline the remote islands ofTrang province. The waters offKoh Kradan, a quiet isle thatlies around 40 minutes fromthe mainland, are gem-like.Nearby Koh Ngai offers a tasteof luxury and comes completewith high-end bungalows,including the impressive Thapwarinresort at up to US $175per night. Trang’s coastlineis also home to top snorkellingand dive sites, includinga sunken ship touted to be aJapanese Destroyer, and theaforementioned hidden EmeraldCave.Check out: A four islandstour takes in the sights of KohNgai, Koh Mook and the EmeraldCave, Koh Kradan andKoh Chuek. Simply hop on theferry or book through a localresort or travel agent for a dayof swimming, sunbathing andsight-seeing.How to get there: Longboats, speed boats and ferriesvisit the islands daily. Ferriesare available from Koh Lanta’sSaladan pier, or fly to Trang orKrabi airports and travel fromthere.Hilltop GetawayThe Andaman coast may bebest known for its islands, buttravellers in search of somethingmore should head inland for ahillside adventure. In Krabi, rubberplantations and pineapplegroves are intermixed with lushforest packed with wildlife andstunning mountain vistas. Butwatch out for the mosquitoes,which can attack in droves. Fornature-lovers, Khao Sok NationalPark in Surat Thani provinceis also accessible from the coast.One of its most famous sights isCheow Larn Lake, a huge reservoircreated in the 1980s as theresults of a hydrodam. Toweringlimestone peaks rise from jadewaters and travellers can sleepin floating rafthouses.Travel Tip: Krabi’s PhanomBencha Mountain Resort hasacres of landscaped fruit gardensand a hilltop natural poolnestled between soaring crags.It offers great food and trekkingopportunities for as little asUS $26 per bungalow in highseason. In Surat Thani, Khao SokNature Lodge offers bungalowsfrom US $22 to US $47 per nightthat come with waterfall-styleshowers.How to get there: PhanomBencha is a 20 minute transferaway from Krabi airport. Hotelscan offer transfers to KhaoSok National Park from Krabi,Phuket and Surat Thani airports,or just hop on a mini-bus.asialife HCMC 39