Diverted from Krabi to the Beach

Sunset at Ao Nang, Thailand
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Turns out I was the only tourist on the bus - would have been nice to have at least one other traveler with me - had I made the right choice?  Tired, I slept for the first couple of hours through most of the dangerous of areas, including Pattani, where a few days before a school teacher had been shot in front of the students.  So, I really couldn't tell you if there was much of a police presence except for one place (not sure where we were), where we had to slalom through barricades set up by the police for about 1km.

Sunset at Ao Nang, Thailand
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For at least an hour of the ride, I was mesmerized by the Thai karoake that was being blasted throughout the bus and via the TV at the front of the bus.  Thankfully no one was singing!  We made our way through Hat Yai, Phattalung and then a stop at Trang for a quick break.  Once at Krabi, the bus station was at least 4km outside of town.  Approached by various transport options, I decided on the motorbike as it was the cheapest and I was now a pro at it ;)  My intention had been to stay in Krabi for the night, but the driver took me to an tourist information center where I was convinced to head straight to the beach.  I had planned on going there the following day anyhow.  The woman suggested a place to stay and of course was eager to book it for me.  However, she ended up pretty miffed at me and ignored me once I told her I wanted to look at the room first.

The beach during the day at Ao Nang, Thailand
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Back on the bike, this time with my backpack in front of the driver (a much better option!), we drove to Ao Nang which was 22km away.  Once at Ao Nang and at PK Mansion, I decided to stay there as the room was very pleasant, had hot water (the first I had since Singapore) and my very own balcony!  Ao Nang, which was hit by the Tsunami damaging some of the long tail boats, part of the sea wall and flooding some of the shops, has fully recovered.  There is one main street that runs along the ocean and then two main streets at either end that feed this one main street.  All the streets are lined with shops, restaurants and accommodation.

The beach during the day at Ao Nang, Thailand
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After a very nice dinner of chili prawns at Ao Nang Cuisine, right on the main drag, I had my first visit to the doctor that was thankfully open until 10pm.  I managed to get a skin infection/rash on the bottom of my right foot that was now very itchy and painful.  So off to find a tuk tuk (motorbike with seating attached on the side), I had been told it would be about 20Bht (approx $.62), but the first driver I asked insisted on 40Bht.  Refusing to pay that much, he decided to roll over on the inside of his tuk tuk and ignore me.  Another driver was happy to take me for the 20Bht.

Main street of Ao Nang, Thailand
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In and out of the doctor's office in about 10 minutes and 800Bht (approx $25) later I left with a steroid cream in a little container (not sure what it was) and loratadim (supposedly the same as Zyrtec that I take for my allergies).  At first he was only going to give me about 15 pills, but when I explained that I had run out of my Zyrtec and my allergies were acting up, he started pouring more into the little prescription bag, 90 in all!  So although a somewhat of an expensive visit to not be able to tell me what caused the infection, I made out with the meds ;)  I guess it might have been from something at the beach?

I had thought about doing a snorkel trip the following day, but concerned about my foot, I decided against it.  Instead I relaxed and treated myself to an oil massage for 300Bht (approx $9.40) for an hour.  Granted, it is not a full service salon by any means, just a long platform separated by curtains, but I happened to be the only one there.  The massage was fine, but more of a rub down than anything else.  I remember the Thai massages being pretty rough the last time around but might have to try it out again to get a massage with more pressure.

After another good dinner of beef with basil leaves, chili and onions (definitely liking the food better here in Thailand) at Tanta's almost across the street from my hotel, the next thing was, where to go the next day?