[Ao Nang] ~ Walk along a Small Karst-surrounded Town

Serves mainly as base to lovelies but this place has a charm its own – 03.31-04.01.15

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It was merely a jump-off point to the islands nearby but this small town had its character with it being surrounded by those limestone karsts. Its beach a so-so but nonetheless a venue to sight people and  the islands that are near yet actually far. Here’s to share random encounters with anything on such town – one rainy afternoon until night and that morning when I was doing walking, one of my favorites when travelling.

Ao Nang Town

Got to explore town right after my Four Islands Tour which ended about mid-afternoon. My hostel was not known to the tour guide but it was good I had a landmark (this info emailed to me by the hostel when I emailed them weeks prior to my trip). It turned out it was actually in the busy area that is very near the pier but it was a blessing in disguise that we did not know because I had the chance to see other accommodation options in the area, even those secretly tucked in places near karsts which were quite defining of this little town. Maybe when I decide to come back for a more relaxing time, I’d choose any of these.

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That kind of backdrop

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On the way to the tour

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What is right in front of my hostel. That Ao Nang Villa my landmark

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Cleaned up a bit before heading out to check out the shops opposite the beach area. When I got tired of checking the souvenirs and other potential buys, I was debating in my mind whether to get food or beer. There are lots of Thai restaurants in the area but for some reason, I decided to get burger. It turned out to be a good decision though as I had time to visit the beach area and sit for a while.

Quite a short while because it started raining. (Made me remember briefly when it suddenly started raining hard too when I was in Kota Kinabalu and I did cross the street to my hostel on bare feet). This time though, I managed to keep myself dry by walking through the busy strip ala store-hopping. I just felt I had to protect my gadget that I ended up buying that waterproof plastic case/wallet.

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Oddly placed statue in the middle of Walking Street

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IMG_9945Nice hairstyle, kiddo

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I see these clothes in Manila but yep, a lot of these in here

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Obviously a reggae band

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Hmm. 

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Interesting find in a convenience store

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 Reminded me of Robin’s sexy shirt in How I Met Your Mother

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I AM BATMAN!

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Dreamcatchers and voodoo dolls

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Amid Thai, Indian etc food options, I got myself a hamburger! 😀

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Beach is right across this strip of restaurants and shops

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Ao Nang Beach one about-to-rain afternoon

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They didn’t seem to mind that it is about to rain

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IMG_9954Was that Railay Beach in the distance?

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Uh-oh. And it was seriously about to rain

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Getting cash seemingly not a problem in this town

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Money exchange too! 

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Quickly went back to my hostel to search for best go-to’s at night, preferably a place with beer (of course!) and live music. Found one called FULL MOON BAR. It was quite a walk from my hostel because it was in the area near Nopparat Thara Beach side already. I did decide to go nonetheless because I thought it was my chance to look for that Krabi statue. I did not find it unfortunately. But I did find the bar so that made it even.

Luckily too, it was buy 1 take 1 beer and there was a performer already as soon as I got in. It seemed a little dead to me though compared to the nightlife scene in Bangkok. It was quiet night then it started to rain really hard I thought I would get stuck in that place not so near my hostel. I was already on my second mug by then and before I even finished, the rain stopped, thank goodness.

I immediately went back to somewhere near my hostel. Did more ‘exploring’ at Walking Street and saw this place with live music which I later on realized to be Filipinos. It was more the showband type of performance but if only for my last beer for that day, I stayed still.

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Quite a funky lobby huh

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View from my room’s terrace

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First occupant at this oh so feminine room at the hostel

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Pink in everything!

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Lockers that are big enough for a medium luggage

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Such a relaxing green

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I want one of this on my wall!

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 Comfy common area

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Monster beanbag

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20150331_191824Pod swing

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Nice comic detail on that table

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Oh I want this on my wall too!

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How words encourage

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20150331_1952141 of my Buy 1, Take 1 mug at Full Moon Bar

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Downpour

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Solo performer later on joined by two

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Hmm doesn’t sound so right

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Oh they must have changed genre that night

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20150331_222823Last mug of beer for the night at this pub with Filipino performers

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 My second morning for that trip and I was again up early so I had some time to walk before my pick-up at 9AM. Basically walked along AO NANG BEACH and that ghost town of a strip across.

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Someone had this baby monkey fed

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All set for my early morning walk

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Quiet Ao Nang beach

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Deserted unlike previous day’s chaos

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First selfie for the day 😀

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Boats that must be waiting for passengers

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Lost kid

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I wonder what was written on sand

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Ao Nang Beach in the morning

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View on the left end of the sea

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Spot the hidden tuktuk

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Just so I get reminded

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Just so we remember the rates. I got a discounted one at 500 baht then

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Beer usually paired with pizza promo

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Oh there is too much to go to

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That Hong Island Tour also looks interesting

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Taking advantage of the mirrors

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I think a locally made alcohol?

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Oh when will I have the courage?

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I might try this hostel next time

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This another landmark to one I stayed in for this trip

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Convenience store food!

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Tried one of the sausages

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20150401_085932While waiting for my transfer service

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Those NOs made a lot of difference

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Carinderia-looking Internet cafe, maybe?

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It was about 9:30AM when my ferry guide picked me up from my hostel. Off to my next stop then.

Koh Lanta, baby!

OTHER NOTES : 

As previously mentioned, I got there via a tour to Railay Beach.

If you are coming in from Krabi airport though, you can ride a commuter bus that goes either to Krabi town or to Ao Nang.

Check out my review of the hostel I stayed in (iDeals Hostel) here

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