An unplanned trip yet a perfect trip. We were two friends planned to visit Leh Ladakh but ended up visiting Thailand. The unfortunate reason being the Pulwama attack that happened two months before pushed us to Thailand.
The only plan which we have made is the date everything else was unplanned. Yeah we booked the hotels too. It was 7days 6 nights trip. It was a budget trip covering three awesome places of Thailand; Pattaya, Phuket and Krabi which costed us around 45,000 INR including International and Domestic Flight tickets, Hotel reservation, Local transport, sightseeing tickets and food.
Day 0: As usual in any trip, it started with a tragedy. Being happy go easy guys we didn't want to wait in the airport for 3 hrs so we booked a fast track cab from home to Chennai airport so that we reach airport just 2 hrs in advance. But the fast track driver didn't turn up. It was getting late and we were discussing about what if we miss the flight. Any plan B would be possible at that time? Or we cancel the entire trip. To our luck we took an auto who rushed to the airport and dropped us on time. Meanwhile I was worried about my pink eye (conjective eye) if they allow me in immigration.
Day 1: We reached Bangkok airport (DMK- Don Mueang International Airport) at 3 am. We didn't book to Swarnaboomi airport which will usually be costly. We cleared the immigration in counter no 4 (on arrival E-Visa) next to Chinese immigration. Hardly it took 15 mins for us to clear the immigration. We went to the information centre to ask how to reach Pattaya. It was through bus we enquired. We also checked other options to reach Pattaya. By cab too costly costing around 1500 baht(2.2 times INR). But we opted for Bus. To take the bus to Pattaya we need to go to Bangkok bus terminal. From airport we took bus A1 from exit no 6 or12. Ticket from airport to Bangkok bus terminal is 30Baht. Don't get down in morchit bus stop where most of the crowd gets down. It took around 20 mins to reach the bus terminal. Book the ticket to Pattaya in the counter. It was 128baht and will take 2.5 hrs. Since the hotel check in was at 2, but we reached Pattaya at around 9.30 , we went to sanctuary of Truth. We experienced triples in bike. The pick-up bike they charged 50 baht each but took us in the same bike. Sanctuary of Truth had an entry fee of 500 baht per person which was a basic one just to see the monument. The whole monument is crafted by wood. There are various other tickets which include horse ride, elephant ride, long tail boat, speed boat ride which can add up the cost to 2000 baht. But it's better to check in Klook app which had many offers. After exploring, we headed to hotel Gazebo via bike. Though it was an hour prior to the check-in time, they welcomed us with smile and handed over the key without any question. The hotel was booked at a reasonable price through "Myyatra". Thanks to Ms Prathiba and Ms Bhakti for supporting for our bookings and assisting us on the places to visit.
We had tender coconut for refreshment which costed us around 40 60 baht except in airport which was 120 baht. And I must mention about the mart 7-11 which contributed a major part to keep our trip within budget. We visited big Buddha of Pattaya through bike with 70 baht each, then we strolled in the beach from where we headed to the most happening place of Thailand, nothing but The Walking Street. Though the street was full of music, entertainment, bars and clubs, we were attracted by the word "Insomnia". Yes we had insomnia on that day. We didn't thought of sleep. Spent around 3 hrs and headed back to the hotel by which our day 2 started.
Day 2: The day was a planned one day trip for which we have booked the ticket on day 1 which costed us 1000bhat per person. It was a trip to island covering few water sports as well. We didn't opt for any water sports but snorkelling was part of the package. You can opt for parasailing, underwater walking, water bike with few hunderd bhat extra. (Not so worth, because of the rush you won't enjoy here). They drop you in an island called Ko larn. The view will be awesome only if you can withstand the heat (Summer). They provide you chair where you can sit but they also have shacks for which you need to pay 100bhat per hour which is expensive. Lunch was included in the package and we opted for Indian food. With not much of expectations we went for dining. To our surprise the food was delicious. The best part of this day is snorkelling which fulfilled the day. Was able to see the different world which is always active under the sea. Around 2 hours we spent in snorkelling and was back.
Day 3: Travel to Phuket. We took a share auto for 40 rupees each to bus terminal from the hotel. We were little late and missed the bus which we were supposed to take so that we reach little ahead of the flight timing and board hassle free. It was 128 bhat per person from Pattaya to Bangkok and every 45 mins there is a bus. By the time we reached bangkok bus terminal, we were late for the flight so we ran outside the terminal to take a cab. We ended up paying 250 bhat and reached the domestic airport. Somehow we boarded the flight and reached Phuket. In Phuket, Patong is the place where we had our hotel booking. So we took a shared cab to patong such was 180bhat each. Though we didn't had any proper food the whole day, a tender coconut (50bhat) made us alive and active. We stayed in Bel Aire, which was a nice hotel with basic amenities except the swimming pool. Though the hotel have mentioned that they have a swimming pool, it was just a jacuzzi bath tub. The hotel was located in the main Street and easy access to the beach and walking Street of Phuket "Bangala". Though our day was fully occupied with travel, we planned for the next day trip by booking the one day island trip package@ 1300 bhat. Yes it's to the James Bond island. We tried the street foods over there and it was hygienic and yummy. Filling our stomach we went to bed.
Day4: The day started in the morning around 7.30. A Van came to pick up us from the hotel. We were served with coffee and cookies before we board the boat. It was slightly drizzling and so we bought a pouch for our mobile at 100 bhat. The speed boats were parked at around 500 mts inside the sea and there was a bridge from the shore towards it for which they were plying shuttle service which cost 25bhat and is a mandatory one to get in there. The speed boat is really a speed one. The organizer was very friendly and funny. This one day trip is worth spending time and money. At first we went to a limestone cave inside the sea, then went for kayaking for about an hour which was behind the James bond rock 2. Then we were dropped in the James bond island (named because a James bond movie 'man with iron hand' was filmed here). Then we were taken for lunch to a floating market. The entire village was built inside the sea. Though this village is inbetween the sea it's protected by mountains in all the sides and so it's never affected by Tsunami. Then we went to a crystal clear beach where we spent around 2 hours swimming peacefully in the sea. No wonder the sea or the beach is so neat, it by the individuals responsibility. No one thrown even a small piece of paper or waste in the sea. Even after serving us snacks, fruits and juice throughout the day in the boat, it was maintained clean. The one day island trip was worth its cost. Though we were tired, we explored few shops nearby the beach and planned for the next day. We booked a half day city tour in patong which costed us 300bhat per person. Then we just spent some time in the beach before we doze off.
Day5: Though it was a short day we had time to take rest in the morning since we booked the city tour in the noon. After having brunch we boarded the cab around 1 pm. We went to a small hill top where we fed a small baby elephant with fruits, then to the big Buddha temple. The Buddha statue was too tall, taller than a a four storied building, which is at the top of the hill. Then we went to honey bee farm, cashew shopping followed by Gems, a precious stone jewel manufacturing company. The one day city tour ended with the sunset view point at Karon but before that few minutes in the breathtaking Promthep Cape view point was a fabulous time. Promthep Cape is a cliff which extends inside the sea and from there you can see only the sea. I just loved that view. We were dropped back in the hotel around 7 pm and then we went for few shopping and also to book the transport from Phuket to Krabi. We had two options to commute, one is by waterways and the other is by road.The price were more or less the same. We booked the mini-bus for 370 bhat each. Had few street foods as our dinner near by our hotel, especially the noodles and the fried rice was really yummy. It was around 10'Oclock we went to the walking Street of Phuket, The Bangala Road. Though this walking Street was not as big as that one in the Pattaya, we had an amazing time over there. One of the world's top 100 club "The illusion". I have never seen such a combination of lights, sound and screen. The ambiance was perfectly designed. We were illusionized for 4hrs and came back to hotel. Will not forget, they had a frisking before we enter into illusion. Still wondering why they asked me to put the water bottle in the trash though after the frisking, they asked us to deposit our bag in the locker. Except that it was an awesome experience.
Day6: Started around 7 in the morning through mini-bus to Krabi without having any food. We reached Aonang, a place in Krabi around 12pm. We booked our room in Ao Bang Baan suan resort which is around 2kms away from main road. We were worried how to commute back to the beach. The moment we went to the resort, we were happy to see the free shuttle service that runs between resort and the beach. In no time we got ready and took the shuttle to beach because we were too hungry. We picked some pizza and moved to the Ao Nang beach. I was mesmerized with the view of the beach. I have seen such beach only in the wall papers. Excited to go inside, we also enquired about the Railey beach which can only be accessed through boat. The boat to Railey beach was run by government and it costed 200bhat each. It was by a long tail motor boat carrying 7 people, we moved to the Railey beach. No words can explain the beauty of the beach. Cameras can only capture the view but not the feel. "Krabi" a must visit destination. In the Railey beach, we found people doing Kayaking. We have experienced kayaking but not did on our own. We were just sitting and relaxing in the kayaking boat during the James Bond island tour. But here people were on their own with these small kayaking boat sailing in the sea. Without hesitation we approached the shop which was renting kayaking boat. To our surprise, it was only 200 bhat for 2 hrs. We hired a boat went into the sea with no second thought keeping our mobiles and luggage inside the leather bag which can be locked with the boat. The best part of the entire trip was those 2 hours. With no man's support we explored the sea, went to nearby cave temple "Phra Nang Cave Shrine". We also tried to sail through a cave but the waves didn't allow us to do that. After two hrs of kayaking we took few snaps and went back to the Aonang beach by the last long tail boat. Had dinner and booked the share van to Krabi airport for the next day. Then we called the shuttle to drop us in the hotel.
Day7: We started around 10am from the hotel, took the share van which we booked and reached Krabi airport from where we had the flight to Don Mueang International Airport. Since we had around 2 hrs we went to the nearby local market "Chatchuk". And spending 2hrs inside the airport, we took the flight to Chennai and reached at 9.30 pm. It was a travel day. The whole trip was awesome with no plans in place, we enjoyed the way it went. The sync between you and your travel partner is more important and that makes the trip successful. (I measure success in terms of happiness).
Few tips in short for budget trip:
1. Check for the cheapest flight by altering the nearby airport( Don Mueang International Airport instead of Swarnaboomi airport, 20 mins away)
2. Never use Grab app (like uber/ola) Go with pick-up bike or Auto. U can find them in every corner.
3. For long distance, take government run buses
4. Bargain as much as possible. Start with atleast 50% of what they quote. In bike ride or cab booking or day trips. Most of the time it works.
5. Don't miss to visit Krabi.
6. Look for hotels near the beach
7. Check the price in Klook app. Pay in Indian Rupee. (Cheaper than paying there directly).
8. In airport, choose 7/11 stores for food.
*Terms & Conditions applied.
Enjoy your trip.
Happy Reading :)
