We are a mixed bag, our group numbering six fifty-plus women, who come from all different walks of life and having different tastes. However we all had one thing in common on our recent girls trip. We were all kool and kicked back in Krabi for seven relaxing days.
Sunset Drinks Aonang Beach
Women’s group travel adventures are now a burgeoning industry with more and more of us taking all girl trips. As far as destinations go Thailand is an ideal place for this because of its wonderful attributes. Not only is it cheap to travel here from Australia, but the accommodation is top class, the food delicious and cheap, the shopping fantastic, and day spas also very affordable.
Girls on tour
Our Thai adventure commenced in the mega-city of Bangkok where we spent three glorious nights exploring this exciting place. After a very full-on itinerary we were all looking forward to unwinding at our booked beach resort in Aonang Beach, Krabi.
Although Krabi is only a short 1.25 hour flight from Bangkok it took us most of the day to reach Aonang Beach. From Krabi Airport it was around three quarters of an hour drive to Aonang. Otherwise you can catch a ferry from Phuket directly to Aonang Beach, that takes 2 to 2.5 hours over relatively calm waters of the Andaman Sea.
Once we arrived we were definitely ready for a refreshing swim in the resort’s pool. But for myself I headed straight to the nearest Day Spa to indulge in a full body scrub and massage!
Our accommodation at the Golden Beach Resort was idyllically located on the beachfront at Aonang Beach. It was my second trip here and the familiar sights, smells and sounds of this beautiful beach resort town were as welcoming as a lovely cooling summer breeze. Within a short walking distance was everything that Aonang has to offer with a large selection of beachfront bars, restaurants, shops, day trip booking agents and massage/beauty salons. We only had to walk across the road from our resort to the beach or to the longtail boats.
Longtail boats on Aonang Beach
After enjoying a relaxing body scrub and massage I found the rest of the gang had started happy hour without me at a nearby bar, aptly called the Sunset Bar because of its ideal location for watching the sun dip into the sea. They were already on their third round of drinks, the local ale known as Beer Chang, and there was much to celebrate as we had arrived in this wonderful paradise. We stayed here and watched the longtail boats coming in after a day ferrying tourists to the islands and the stunning sunset over the Andaman Sea.
Sunset Drinks at Aonang Beach
The following morning we were awoken to the sound of the loud longtail boat outboard motors starting up for their day’s outings. After a stroll along the beach and a long buffet breakfast we jumped on one of these longtail boats and motored over to nearby Railay Beach. With the taste of the saltwater spray on our tongues and stinging our eyes, we happily endured the 15 minute trip enjoying the views of the forested monoliths towering out of the sea.
Longtail Boat Trip
Our seven days in Aonang ensued in a haze of lazy days around the resort pool, massages, manicures and pedicures, shopping at the markets and sampling cocktails and tasty Thai food, interspersed with longtail boat trips to nearby islands.
Golden Beach Resort Pool Area
Railay Beach is situated in a calm water bay and consists of a long stretch of beach, a beach resort, shopping markets and restaurants/bars.
Railay Beach from the Longtail boat
Upon arrival we immediately walked across the narrow Railay Peninsula and around the tip to Phra Nang Caves and Beach. The peninsula consists of limestone rocks and caves which are inhabited by monkeys, that you can scale up with one of the rock climbing tour groups.
At Phra Nang lies the Princess Cave or Tham Phra Nang Nok. Dedicated to an ancient fertility goddess, the cave contains a strange combination of large phallic symbols (lingams), garlands and offerings in the hope of increased potency and prosperity.
Phranang Beach
Phra Nang has all the ingredients of a perfect beach, with soft sand, clear shallow water for safe swimming, two small islands (Koh Rang Nok and Nai), that you can swim to on low tide and a coral reef for snorkelling.
However on this particular day it was packed with tourists and it was almost impossible to find a spot on the sand to place your beach towel. We all quickly enjoyed a refreshing swim and then returned to the less populated Railay Beach.
Longtail Boat Trip to Islands
Having a swinging time at Chicken Island
Our second boat trip was a Four Island adventure to Poda, See, Chicken and Tup Islands where we once again were able to enjoy swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing on the beautiful sandy shores.
Poda Island
We found that departing Aonang Beach early was the trick to avoiding the crowds that all flock to these islands. Some of the islands had more than twenty or thirty boats anchored at one time full of day trippers.
Poda Island
Tup Island
A couple of the girls also embarked on a longer day trip by speedboat out to Phi Phi Island and the very famous Maya Bay, (where the movie The Beach was filmed). They discovered the islands, although very beautiful, were overcrowded with speed boats and day trippers. I guess this is the downside of tourism to these popular Thai islands and cays.
Aonang Beach offers tourists a wide range of activities and attractions, including snorkelling, kayaking, island-hopping, climbing, scuba diving, spa/massage/beauty, shopping, white water rafting, hiking, temple visits, elephant trekking, cooking classes and fishing. However we were more than happy to kick back at our resort, eat, drink and be merry. After all isn’t that what these type of places are famous for?
Linking up with Travel Photo Thursday
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Indrani
June 3, 2016Each one more beautiful than the other. I think I will need more than a week here. :P :)
Great series!
Happy #TPT
Kathy
June 3, 2016Thailand is a wonderful holiday destination. I do enjoy Krabi for it’s pure relaxed vibe and great places to eat and drink. The sunsets are breathtaking! :)
budgettraveltalk
June 3, 2016Sounds delightful Kathy. I’ve never been on a girls holiday! But next week-end our daughter and myself are going to Palm Creek Music Festival and camping for the week-end. I wonder what it will be like!
Kathy
June 3, 2016That sounds like it will be a great weekend Jan. My daughter loves music festivals and camping, but she has never invited me to come along with her! She wants me to do a Yoga Retreat with her later on this year, so that will be something to look forward to. :)
Jill
June 3, 2016Looks idyllic! Sometimes it’s difficult to get my friends together and mesh schedules but I’m always glad that we make the effort.
Kathy
June 4, 2016Tell me about it! This trip was about 12 months in the planning and a nightmare to co-ordinate with six women! However we did have the best time and we all felt relaxed and rejuvenated after such a laid-back holiday. Krabi is perfect for this kind of holiday. :)
Jo
June 4, 2016Ohh so want to go to Krabi. It looks divine. With girlfriends on tap Yes Please!
Kathy
June 4, 2016I enjoyed Krabi so much more that Phuket. A lot less hectic and seedy. It is a ideal destination for a girl’s escape. :)
Ruth
June 4, 2016What a place to relax! I mean those scenes and beaches are gorgeous. The good thing is that you totally relax if that is what you want or you can add a bit of adventure if you want to do so. I never been to the southern part of Thailand. it is something I want to do one day.
Kathy
June 4, 2016Don’t we look at one another’s travel posts and say the same thing over and over! My bucket list just keeps getting longer. So many places to explore before I die! :)
Nancie
June 4, 2016Lovely shots, Kathy. I’ve spent a lot of time in Krabi over the years, and never tire of the views. I once rented a cottage for a month that was situated just across the street from Aonang Beach. Bliss! I have to say that the area has changed a lot since the Tsunami. Some of the changes are good, some not so great. The last time I was there I was surprised at how dramatically prices have risen. Thanks for linking up this week. #/TPThursday
Kathy
June 4, 2016Thanks Nancie. Krabi is a gorgeous spot. I imagine it was a lot quieter and laid-back years ago. I hope it retains some of its character. I must say that the islands off the coast were extremely overcrowded with day trippers which was a big disappointment. I’m wondering whether they will be able to sustain this bombardment in years to come. :(
InsideJourneys
June 4, 2016You picked a gorgeous spot. All those months of planning and coordinating really paid off! I’m ready to pack my bags and head to Krabi!
Kathy
June 4, 2016Yes we did. We preferred the quieter holiday destination of Krabi rather than the very popular Phuket. There was plenty to keep us entertained, our tummies full of Thai food and refreshing beers and cocktails at the end of the day. We loved our time here. :)
Life Images by Jill
June 4, 2016looks like a wonderful place to kick back and relax and soak up the sun. I must say I am attracted to the sound of a quieter holiday destination.
Kathy
June 5, 2016Me too Jill. After having travelled to Phuket on three occasions, Krabi is a refreshing change from the hectic pace of Thailand’s most popular tourist destination. I loved being able to get on a longtail boat and just cruise out to the little islands that are just off the coastline of Krabi. :)
Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
June 4, 2016Girls holidays are so much fun. It’s a completely different experience. Us girls know how to get our priorities right. Massages, pedicures, body scrubs, food and cocktails! Looks gorgeous.
Kathy
June 5, 2016It was a fab place for a girlie holiday. It is so cheap to eat, drink and pamper yourself. I came back with a full set of gel nails, an exfoliated body and baby soft skin. The massages are also divine. We needed them after the hard mattresses and lumpy pillows we had to sleep on! That is another story entirely! We were not impressed with our accommodation, except for it’s location and nice swimming pool!
corinnevail
June 5, 2016What a great Girl’s Getaway! All of the beaches look beautiful but I love the photo of the boats on Phra Nang. #wkendtravelinspiration
Kathy
June 5, 2016Thanks Corinne, that is also one of my favourite photos. So typically Thai! I really enjoyed having time out with my girlfriends in Krabi. :)
Grey World Nomads
June 9, 2016I’m glad having found your blog and to join in to the crazy 50+ers! What a great way to travel and enjoy yourselves!
Kathy
June 9, 2016Thank you! I always say I have plenty more holidays in me and so much more of the world I want to explore! Krabi was a great place for a 50+ girlie holiday. :)
nikajane
June 22, 2016Nailed it, it’s beautiful. I want to go to Krabi too. Can you take me there? Please keep on sharing. Your blog brings the viewers where the photos is. Thanks
Kathy
June 22, 2016Thank you so much. Krabi doesn’t really need to be sold. As you say the photos speak for themselves. :)