What better way to unwind after 10 hectic weeks in India than 10 relaxing days in Thailand. From Calcutta we stopped off for three nights in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where we caught up with Lee Tuan’s sisters, nieces and nephews, then headed on to Krabi in southern Thailand.
We stayed at Ao Nang Beach and went out on day boat trips to snorkel, swim and sightsee around the small islands lolling in the emerald Andaman Sea. Ao Nang is touristy but still pleasant, not tacky like Phuket across the water has become. For the younger set there’s plenty of nightlife around and even we managed to take in a concert or two. Ever since he fled the USA in the mid 70s, Elvis Presley has been living the quiet life here, doing the occasional gig up and down the coast. We saw him Tuesday night live in concert at The Irish Rover. His voice is as good as ever though it seems he’s been eating too much good Thai food, admittedly a hard trap not to fall into. It’s so fresh, fragrant and fantastic.
We’ve been eating mostly at the roadside food stalls run by Thai Muslims just outside our hotel. The women inside the tiny mobile cooking booths are very skilful, turning out varied excellent dishes in stunningly quick order. When their night’s work is done they pack up and head home on their shiny new motor scooters. Business must be going well. They have a great product - food doesn’t come any better than Thai. And beaches don’t come any better than Maya Bay (setting for the movie "The Beach") on Phi Phi Island, or Phra Nang Cave Beach near Railey Bay.
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