17 Nov 2009
by Ubiquityin Globetrotting Tags: Krabi, Thailand, travel
Leaving Phuket for Krabi, we hired a private car that took us on a mind-numbingly extreme drive. A journey that was meant to be a good 3-hour drive along the countryside turned out with us hanging on to our dear lives. The driver was reckless and NUTS! He cruised over 120km/h in the rain, overtake another vehicle at high speed around bends and tailgate huge trucks! I have never been more thankful for my life when we finally reached our destination, unscathed.
We’ve booked our stay in Krabi at a small hotel called, The Tubkaak Boutique Resort. Based on the ratings, reviews and availability from Trip Advisor, we managed to score 3 nights at a reasonable price. The check-in was fast and efficient and we were promptly whisked away for a quick tour around the resort’s compound before arriving to our room.
The Tubkaak is truly an award winning boutique resort. Blending the distinctive Thai architecture and modern amenities only brings out the best in them. Villa style accommodations combined with stylish interiors lends the luxury vibes it exudes as soon as you step into the room.
The main entrance of our spacious room
The entrance to the sleeping area
King-sized bed
The entrance to the bathroom
Outdoor bathtub
Indoor shower
The Tubkaak Boutique Resort
123 Moo 3, Tubkaak Beach
Tumbol Nongtalay, Amphur Muang
Krabi 81000 Thailand
It was still bright and the sun was high in the sky, so we decided to hit beach. Unfortunately the tide is low and it was scorching hot, very unsuitable for swimming. We went exploring along the shore instead and headed back to the hotel for lunch before retreating at the pool.
Three-piece live band playing on the sand
As the day melts into dusk, soothing music from a three-piece live band reverberates the air and guests can be seen lounging on bean bags along the beach absorbing the romantic atmosphere.
Slowly the color of the sky changes from golden to scarlet and the sun is fast disappearing into the horizon. The tide rushes in as quickly as the sky transformed further into magical spectrum of hues; bright orange, flaming red, deep purple and eventually dark blue.
Gentle waves lapping along the white sandy shore with a cool breeze blowing lightly and the sky went further into darkness. Now this isn’t a dream but this is the most spectacular sunset I’ve ever seen in my life.
Sunset : Day 1 in Krabi
09 Nov 2009
by Ubiquityin Globetrotting Tags: Phuket, Thailand, travel
My first trip to Phuket was sometime in April last year during the Thai New Year (Songkran). Our stay was too brief for a lasting impression but one thing we do remember was our memorable stay at a little boutique resort called Baan Yin Dee. Kicking off our ‘rest & relax’ holiday from Phuket, once again we booked our accommodation there for 2 nights.
Baan Yin Dee
7/5 Muean Ngen Road, Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket, 83150, Thailand
Perched on a steep hillside, Baan Yin Dee overlooks lush greenery and the infamous Patong Bay (paradise to some and hell to others, yet you can’t deny the throbbing atmosphere exuding from the huge selection of restaurants, bars, shops and more). Escaping the hustles and bustles of the main street, the hotel is located in a quiet area but is still within a bearable walking distance to the beach.
View of Patong Bay from Baan Yin Dee
Weary from the flight and an hour drive from the airport, we were received with warm hospitality from the pleasant hotel’s staff at the reception and checked into our rooms.
The entrance of our room; doorway on the left is the sleeping area & doorway on the right is the bathroom
Our huge king-sized bed
Living area opposite the bed
Our equally spacious terrace
The terrace
Entrance of the bathroom with wooden sliding door
His mirror & sink
Her mirror & sink
The granite bathtub
The size of our room (Deluxe) with the tastefully decorated furnishing was a great value at a very reasonable price. An added plus is the bathroom, which is amazingly large complete with a bathtub big enough for 2, separate shower and his and hers vanity area. Every day fresh orchid was placed at every possible corner providing further charm to the room.
It is impossible not to fall in love with this quaint hotel and if it wasn’t for the cascading swimming pool, we would never have left the room.
Cascading swimming pool
2 good hour by the pool and the sun begins to set around 6:15. We slowly head back to our rooms and arranged to meet for apéro at 8:00 at the hotel’s fusion restaurant (also called) Baan Yin Dee.
Serving a fusion of European and Thai food, the restaurant provides an extensive gourmet menu to satisfy your taste buds. Appetizers to main course and even dessert, aside of the discerning visual delight, each dish delectably excites your palates. The only downside is their limited choice of wine.
Baan Yin Dee is also the 1st restaurant in Phuket to entertain its’ guests with the grand piano. Crooning every evening, the pianist belts out love song as guests enjoy their meals.
When all the guests have left, I decided to request the song, “I Just Called To Say I Love You” from the pianist. It was meant to be a surprise for Fred but it turned out an even bigger surprise when I rocked the mic.
"I just called, to say, I love you..."
Besides the live entertainment that the hotel provided, the place was barren. Either the guests retreated early to their room or head on down to the main street. We opt for the latter…
Like all night owls, Soi Bangla awakens when the sun sets. That’s when Patong’s liveliest party zone becomes closed to traffic and ready for action!
Famous for its raunchy nightlife, Bangla goes all out to entertain with girls, beers and music that increases in volume as the moon rises. Jammed most nights year round, it’s actually totally unthreatening and lively place to walk around as bars compete for customers.
The girls aim to please; dancing around poles, engaging in banter or coaxing customers to play simple bar games. The objective is to entice customers to buy drinks and hopefully, take them away for the evening.
Almost all of the bars are outdoors so the music from each one is deafening! Beer bars occupy most of the street’s length with several a-go-gos and a few pubs, restaurants, discos and shops rounding out the attractions both on Bangla and down its side street.
A-go-go bar
Locals & tourists milling about finding the perfect watering hole
After a couple of hours bar-hopping to find a perfect spot, we gave up and went back to the hotel for a good nights’ rest. We spent our second and last day in Phuket by the pool and as soon as the night falls, we headed back down to Soi Bangla for dinner and some drinks.
Drunken People Crossing
Check back soon for the next entry on Krabi, Thailand!
Twitter
Facebook
