May Day Short Vacation - Day 02/03: Krabi

Our stay was inclusive of breakfast, and we had our breakfast at The Naga Kitchen. One highlight for me was that the breakfast buffet included a do-it-yourself Bloody Mary Bar and unlimited refills of various Prosecco based cocktails, such as Bellini's! The spread was large and extensive, with a wide selection of international and Thai dishes.

There was an egg station offering all sorts of different ways to prepare eggs, including Omelettes, Stand-alone eggs such as Poached or Fried, and Eggs Benedict!

Krabi includes loads of breath-taking islands, and exploring the Islands of Krabi in Thailand is something everyone travelling there should have on their to-do list when they visit. Prior to our trip, we booked a half day morning Private Traditional Thai 'Longtail' Boat for us, which brought to Hong Island and other various lagoons/islands as well. We booked through our hotel instead of the local travel agent. The main reason is that we do not have to travel to Ao Nang to board the boat. Instead, the boat departed from our hotel’s beach itself!

Hong Island is one of Krabi’s best tourist destinations, and is also one of the closest islands to Krabi. Booking this half day Private Longtail Boat is one the best attractions to do in Krabi!

Our tour price to Hong Island from Krabi included the following:

• Depart/return from hotel beach
• Fruit Platter
• Bottled Drinking water & Coconut drinks
• Snorkeling gears

This was one of the best experiences of my trip! The boat ride was very smooth and beautifully decorated, which was perfect for taking pictures.

While this is not a guided tour and does not include an English speaking guide, the long-tail boat captain had basic English and communicated with each at each stop about timings and took photos for us if we required!

I love the hidden Hong Lagoon - It's a beautiful spot that’s definitely worth taking photos for keepsakes. It is also the most famous photo spot on every Hong Island trip!

Hong Island is part of Than Bok Khorani National Park and therefore requires an entrance ticket. The tour didn’t include this, and we had to pay it on the spot before entering Hong Island. Do note that, only cash is accepted.

There was also a brief 30mins stop at LaoLading Island, which is also known as Paradise Island. It is located near Hong Island, and is a small island with a beautiful beach and an Instagram-famous swing.

We had some cut fruits which were prepared by the captain on the boat. We decided to rather be in the sun and not in the shade. This meant we were bathing in the sun while we ate. It was worth it, as the photos turned out so pretty!

We were also provided with a wireless/bluetooth speaker for us to connect to, as well as fruits and coconut drinks for us to enjoy during the ride. The boat captain was very friendly, and we stopped at some incredibly beautiful islands to swim at. It was one of the most amazing and euphoric days of my trip!

The tour ended at 1pm, and we went back to the hotel. We were greeted with some small snacks which were prepared by the hotel.

We went straight back to our room and jumped into the jacuzzi to have a relaxing bubble jet experience to cool down ourselves from the scorching weather.

After a good 30 minutes of  jacuzzi-ing, we washed up and got ready for our afternoon tea at the Bird's Nest by Saffron Restaurant which is located within the Banyan Tree Krabi premises.

There are two sitting periods for the Bird’s Nest table reservations: 2–3:30 pm or 3:30–5 pm. We took the earlier slot.

As for the afternoon tea, guests can choose from three curated crockery sets: the vibrant Citrus Charm Collection, the timeless Sapphire Sips Collection, and the enchanting Birdsong & Blossom Bliss Collection. We decided on the enchanting Birdsong & Blossom Bliss Collection.

Our food was served in refined porcelain, and the afternoon tea was a feast for both the eyes and the senses!

I also loved the brilliant dining platforms which were suspended in the foliage, overlooking the Andaman Sea.

We loved the signature specialties such as Pani Puri Caviar, Truffle-Braised Wagyu Beef, and Mango Sticky Rice Mousse Cake.

The Bird's Nest offered a refined afternoon tea experience with a spectacular ambiance and view. Most importantly, the food and service were terrific!

After lunch, we headed straight out for some shopping at Central Krabi - the newest lifestyle shopping centre on Krabi, and it features both an indoor and an outdoor section.

We decided to have dinner before heading back to our hotel, and we settled at MK Steamboat which is also located at Central Krabi. Like COCA restaurant, MK also specializes in Thai-styled Hot Pot & Sukiyaki. We ordered ala carte items off the menu.

Both Baby and I love the chilli dipping sauce which was pretty different from the usual sauces one is accustomed to. With the dip, It definitely enhanced the taste of the sliced meat better!

Nothing beats having a good meal with my loved ones!

We 'grabbed' back to our hotel, and the lobby looked stunning at night too. 

The next day, as usual, we had our breakfast at The Kitchen Table.

After we were done with our meal, we went straight back to our room to do our packing before heading for our spa session. As usual, we called for a buggy to bring us to the spa venue, because the hotel was so big!

We roamed around the beach and took some random photos before heading to the spa parlor. 

I loved the service they rendered, and we were given a glass of refreshing drink each before the treatment..

We were given hot ginger tea and cut watermelons after the treatment.

We left our luggage with the concierge and took the buggy to The Naga Kitchen for our lunch. 

Our lunch was delicious but came with a price tag. 

After our lunch, we decided to 'xiao hua' by walking to the concierge to work off our lunch, as our arranged complimentary hotel transfer back to the airport was waiting for us. Before leaving the hotel, I wanted to reminisce one last time on the beautiful hotel lobby. It may be our first time on the island, but it will certainly not be the last. I can’t wait to return soon.

No meal in Thailand can end without having Mango Sticky Rice! We had it at the airport before boarding the home-bound flight. It tasted so satisfactory, as the mangoes in Thailand are so sweet and yummy.

It has been a while since I came back from Krabi. I love having a relaxing resort holiday, and I must make it a point to go for one at least once a year, as a short break works wonders to recharge myself from my hectic work schedule! I promise, I will be back again, Thailand!