Our first stop was the scenic Ao Nang Beach near Krabi on the Andaman Coast. Unfortunately it rained most of the time we were there but we were still able to enjoy the views of the picturesque limestone islands.
Our bed at the Sunda Resort, Ao Nang
When the rain did stop for half a day, we caught a longboat to the Railay Peninsula. The peninsula is only accessible by sea because of the high limestone cliffs blocking access from the mainland.
Phranang Beach, Railay Peninsula
After a few days in Ao Nang, we moved on to the border town of Ranong. We arrived in Thailand over a land border and our visa was only for 14 days so we needed to do a “visa run” to get a further 14 days. We had planned to catch a longtail boat from Ranong to Kawthoung (Victoria Point), Myanmar – but because the weather was quite bad, we did the crossing in a larger (safer) boat.
This meant that instead of queuing with the Burmese workers at the main immigration office and longboat pier, we went to the Andaman Club Pier where they had a nice departure lounge and their own little immigration window. And, instead of going to Kawthoung, we went to the immaculate Andaman Club Casino on an island just off Kawthoung. The Casino was set in beautiful surroundings with a large pool, sauna, restaurant, expensive duty free shop and slot machine room – all of which were strangely empty. We stayed there for an hour and then we were put back on the boat into Thailand.
Views from the Andaman Club Casino in Myanmar
Our hotel in Ranong was located next to some particularly pungent markets.
Our visa run completed, we spent a couple of nights in Prachuap Khiri Khan – a pleasant beachside town halfway to Bangkok.
View from our hotel window
I'm taking notes for next year :)
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