Krabi Thailand April '16

Our speed boat journey! Bit bumpy!!!!! 

Krabi is flooded by these towering rocks! Such great beautiful spectacles of nature! 

Our new pad for a few nights 'Sleep Club.'  It was supercool with a real industrial feel to the place.  It had very comfy ensuite rooms with the biggest bunk beds you have ever seen! It had a chill out lounge with a great choice of DVD's to watch and books to borrow.  The staff were very welcoming, on our first day after returning from a busy morning we were welcomed with chilled coconuts and the second day we were treated to mango sticky rice which was very tasty!! They even had a family of cats/kittens just hanging around keeping us guests entertained with their antics.

           

      

          

Time for some more kayaking, this time through the mangroves.  Josh didn't need asked twice if he wanted to come with us or with the instructor, ditched again!! It was easy going and our guide AJ was very informative about the environment and wildlife. 

         

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    You wouldn't want to get lost in here at night!!! Would be pretty spooky I think!! 

    Even the guides have hung strips of material on branches to ensure they don't get lost! 

 

We had a breather on a small beach where we could obviously rather than rest, go climbing like a monkey! 

         

        

After a chilled out afternoon in our hostel lounge it was time to hit the local Saturday night market which had many food and drink options, clothing and crafts and a stage with performing jugglers and singers!! 

Krabi has many interesting sculptures throughout the town but these traffic lights have to be the best!! 

What a great way to amuse any driver in rush hour!!! 

      

                                         

                              This one comes with its own animal print crossing!

They also like to enhance their streetlights with elephants, birdcages and birds! 

                        

          The famous Black Crab! Always a wash with tourists & cameras!!

           

Tributes to the local Sea Eagle which are in abundance here! 

                     

                                               

       

        

This is Krabi's 'History Wall' depicting everything from the dinosaurs to the evolution of mankind in Thailand.

      We found a rather cool Regge bar for our last night drinks!!

       

Krabi was a very lovely chilled out place with an abundance of hotels, hostels, bars & restaurants to choose from.  Our hostel was one of the best we have been in so far which helped us chill out for a couple of days before we head back to busy Bangkok! 

Indochina Junk Cruise April 2016

      

   Josh loving our 5 star luxury mini van 4.5hr transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay!!!

                Pit stop for lunch and a traditional Viatnamese water puppet show. 

       

Our tender out to our boat. Weather not at its best but excitement is rising!! 

      Our beautiful 'Dragons Pearl' all ready & waiting for us.

           Welcome drinks on the deck. 

Surprisingly spacious cabin with ensuite & even more exciting Josh has his own room 

for the first time in months!!!

Weather still misted over but still warm enough to get comfy on the deck.

              

                                       Local fisherman chugging past us. 

                                 

These limestone creations were truly magnificent.  

It was quite surreal to just float past these towering beauties.

       

          Time for a cookery lesson, Viatnamese Spring rolls! 

           

            

       

First afternoon on board & time to explore these beautiful creations by kayak

As we chose to use Indochina Junk for our cruise we sailed to Bai Tu Long Bay instead of the super conjested Halong Bay, where boats are limited so we (us & 14 other passengers) felt like we had the whole bay to ourselves, it was a very special experience!!

      

It was so very peaceful & quiet with only the sounds of distant fishing 

boats, birds & the odd monkey! 

    

After a lovely evening of 11 courses of beautiful Viatnamese food & some cocktails it was early to bed in preparation for tomorrow's 2 hour kayaking tour!!!! 

        

A spot of caving along the way.

                Gary & I were both ditched by Joshua for his new friend Chloe! 

            

Susan & Walter, our Washington DC friends who we will be visiting on our 

American adventure next year. 

           

             

    

Time for a swim to relax all our muscles after our 2hr kayak tour!!! Cold but very very refreshing!!! 

         

Another cruise sailing past us, looks lovey but our choice was so much more personal.

    Josh & his new pals Little Josh and Tommy enjoying the beach on our last afternoon.

    

              Walter & Gary also enjoying the beach!

Back to the boat to get showered and ready for our evening dinner in the cave!

Absolutely beautiful setting for our last supper of the cruise.  We were spoilt rotten with the food and entertainment.

                           

Carvings done by our on board chef! Spectacular!!!

                                     

                                  

Our last morning onboard and we head out to a local fishing village.  The government re-housed the Vietnamese families living in the caves and gave them all floating homes, including a school for the children.

Our Lovely fellow cruisers Kimberley, Matt, Tommy & Josh.  

          Walter, Susan & Chloe

The local fishery.

      Local fishing boat

    Then onto an oyster farm.

We were shown how they harvest the pearls and shown how the different sizes of oysters will depict what colour the pearl will be.

                    

Tooth Fairy visit, they don't have coins in Vietnam so he left a note.  Much excitement even though it was only worth about 30p!

Heading into Halong Bay for the 4.5hr drive back to our hotel

     Farewell meal in Hanoi with our new buddies! XX