Krabi on a Fine Day |
||||
| ||||
|
Krabi is one of Thailand's six southern provinces on the Andaman seaboard. Blessed with picture-postcard vistas, its beauty is second-to-none. Not surprisingly, tourism activities are very much associated with the waters of the Andaman as visitors swim, dive and marvel at the coral reefs. The ti ny black-and yellow-banded barbs scu rry for the bits of bread I scatter over the water. In their large numbers, they make such a pleasant sight that I find it extremely difficult to resist the urge to join them in the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman. The late morning sun at Maya Bay is getting hot Still, the sea is calm and pleasantly cool. For sea lovers, there's nothing more joyful than being part of these emerald-green waters. I first fell in love with the seas off Krabi several years ago when the plane I was traveling in turned and gradually descended into Krabi Airport high above a string of different sized islands that formed pictures that have since remained in my memory. More recently, I made another trip to Krabi as part of a post-Tsunami press tour arranged by Nakamanda Resort and Spa, a beautiful resort on the Andaman coast. Undaunted by last year's Tsunami, my fondness for the place has not lessened. Rather, I found myself even more fascinated by Krabi, an Andaman gem beckoning me to become acquainted with every single island and beach by the Andaman Sea. Krabi is one of Thailand's six southern provinces on the Andaman seaboard. Blessed with picture-postcard vistas, its beauty is second-to-none. Not surprisingly, tourism activities are very much associated with the waters of the Andaman as visitors swim, dive and marvel at the coral reefs. Off to an early start, our speedboat transports the waiting press corps to view the beauty of the island chain, in particular the larger four islands of Po Da Nai, Po Da Nok, Koh Thap and Koh Mo. There are other, smaller islets without beaches, whose cliffs rise dramatically in common with the string of limestone formations dotting this part of the Andaman. Po Da Nok Island is also known as Koh Kai (chicken) because of the comb-like formation at its southern tip that resembles a cockerel's head. Others think it looks more like an axe. According to our tour guide, the western part of Po Da Nok provides a good dive spot thanks to Koh Mae Urai, an islet surrounded by splendid, deep-sea diving spots. Yet, Po Da Nai tends to attract the majority of tourists because accommoda¬tion is available on the island. The closer the boat gets to the island, the more striking the change in the sea's color as we reach deeper waters. Once inshore, the water takes on a clear, emerald hue; irresistibly beautiful and a haven for taking. snapshots of the island and its hallmark cliffs. At Maya Bay, we snorkel among shallow-water corals in a calm sea, ideal for swimming. Oxygen masks are handed out to enable us to explore the wonders of the deep, an under¬water sight that accentuates Maya Bay's popularity as a highly popular destination among tourists. Here the water is so clear it's possible to pick out the naked beauty of the corals as fish swim around you. It would not take much effort to spend the entire day underwater but, after a brief rest from the dive on a fine, white sandy beach, we embark again for the trip to Koh Hong islets. The tiny black- and yellow-banded barbs scurry for the bits of bread I scatter over the water. In their large numbers, they make such a pleasant sight that I find it extremely difficult to resist the urge to join them in the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman. Koh Hong islets, over ten in number, are protected as part of Thanbok Khoranee National Park. In pristine condition, they are blessed with natural resources. Coral reefs around here offer interesting dive spots. There is an inland lake protected by high cliffs, clearly popular with tourists who also like to get a fish's eye view of the limestone formations from their kayaks. Th,e peaceful Koh Hong islets are secluded and afford a degree of privacy for tourists looking for an out-of-the-way location for sunbathing. This destination is quite popular among foreign visitors. The time comes for us to return to our lodgings, according to our crewman. As my fellow tour members take turns to embark, I sit gazing out to sea across the gentle waves on the emerald-green waters that shimmer in the reflective rays of the sun. Fatigue begins to set in from daylong swimming, and the rocking boat soon lulls me into a gentle sleep as we head out of the bay. It's not just the sea that makes Krabi famous; there are other attractive landscapes and tourism sites such as Tha Pam Khlong Song Nam Swamp at Baan Nang Jik, 28 kilometers from Muang District. Here, freshwater converges with the sea and, at high tied, the water in the canal turns saline and becomes fresh again at the tide's ebb. As a result it is dubbed "Khlong Song Nam" (literally canal of two waters), and "Khlong Song Ros" (literally canal of two flavors). Today Tha Pam serves as a Natural Swamp Forest Study Center, accessible via a wooden bridge that takes tourists to inspect and enjoy the plant species in the swamp forest and the clear canals the local folk call "Khlong Song Nam" where people can take a dip although they are advised to be cautious of boulders and plant roots, which could be dangerous. With good cause, Tha Pam Khlong Song Nam Swamp is named as Krabi's latest "Unseen Thailand" site. Tourists anxious to see up close the lifestyle of the local folk may want to pay a visit to a fishing village at the time the fishing boats return to unload their catches. The thrill of seeing bumper catches being offloaded may, for some down¬wind visitors, be dampened by the overpowering smell of the catch. A good time to keep in mind, perhaps, that for those who make their living from the sea this is the scent of life, and crews and workers sorting the fish never seem to show any sign of revulsion for their work. On the contrary, they apply full concentration to the task before them. The day I visited Krabi, the sky was clear blue, the sea emerald-green. I was there because I love the sea at Krabi, just like I love the seas all along the Andaman seaboard. Regardless of whatever scars the Tsunami has left behind, it did not inflict on the Andaman anything that nature cannot heal in due course. And the healing process seems to be well underway judging by the reaction .of my colleagues who will probably never forget their wonderful time in Krabi Province. |
