Wednesday 11 March 2015

Tower of London - Top 10 Must Visit Paid - Attraction in LONDON!!

5 August - 11 November 2014 : Blood Swept Land and Seas of Red at Tower of London. 
888,426 ceramic red poppies were installed individually throughout the Tower of London compound. 
Each poppy represented a Commonwealth military fatality in the World War One. 

When I was a kid (since am 18 this year since am stop aging at that number - basically the word kid do mean about 5 6 years ago), my mum used to read me bedtime stories and the name Tower of London always being heard. In my mind I would imagine it as a modern spectacular tower like our pride KL Tower or at least something similar to Washington Monument in USA. When I finally had the chance to set foot into the remarkable historical building - my jaw drop to the floor. 

I thought back in my mind, "kalau cenggini pendek tower dia, tempat azan surau umah aku tinggi lagi". Like serious, Tower of London is only 27 meters of height, about 400 meters short from our KL Tower. Nevertheless, this "short" tower welcome 2.9 million visitors in the year of 2013. 

Introduction & History 


Tower of London : Location

Formerly, the tower was known as Her Majesty's Royale Palace and Fortress, located on the north the north bank of the River Thames in Central London. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of Norman the Conquest of London. The White Tower, which give the entire castle it name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078. Interestingly, the entire complex of palace once served as a prison and royal residence as well. It is said that within the compound, Henry V beheaded her wife Anne Boleyn in  1536 for incest and treason. 

Apart from that, the tower also served as an armory, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels. 

Layout 

Tower of London : Layout Plan

The castle is made up of one tower three and wards - White Tower, the innermost ward, inner wards and outer wards. 

*** Enough with all these history facts - I fall asleep myself writing it! ***

Ticket Price

Ticket Rate. Include with compulsary-yet-state-as-voluntary donations. 

The ticket includes access to the tower and Crown Jewels display,exhibitions including Coins and Kings and  Line of Kings, plus the Yeoman Warder and guided tour, live historical re-enactment, White Tower tour, children's activity trails and much mores!

In order to buy the tickets online for a cheaper rate, you also may purchase it here All you need to do is to select your visiting date and the ticket purchase is valid for one entry within 7 days from the date selected. 

Travel Hacks : For cheaper ticket price, you could purchase the 1 year membership. The membership only cost 47pounds. Yeah I know that it is almost double from the online ticket rate. HOWEVER, the membership allows you to unlimited access to the FIVE palaces throughout the year! Below are the savings you could enjoy by buying the membership card! 

5 palaces and attractions gate rates

Hence, instead of paying 77.50pounds to all these 5 palaces and attractions, you only need to pay 47pounds! That is a 40% savings equivalent to RM169.97 okay! 100 venti sized of Starbuck Latte plus tax! To purchase for the membership cards, you may click here.

Opening Time 

Basically, there are 2 opening time for Tower Of London. 


Travel Hacks : All the internal building close approximately 30 minutes after the last admission. Hence, plan your day and time of visit. The Tower open daily except o the 24th and 25th of December and 1st of January. 

Top Things to Do and See in Tower Of London!

1. The Crown Jewel 


The exhibition is all about the British Monarch Crown Jewels, the history of Royal Coronations, learn the history of all the jewels and what make a crown a symbol of power in British monarchy! However, please take note that this exhibition is highly secured and guarded! Hence, any attempt of stealing the jewels will be a fantasy! 





2. The White Tower 


Here visitors will have the opportunities to visit the Royal Armories Exhibition. The White Tower Tours (guided) are available 3 times daily at 10.45, 12.45 and 14.15. The tour also include with visit the top floor of the tower, the Torture Chamber. 




3. Royal Beast 


For the past 600 years, wild and exotic creatures had been held captive by kings and queens of England in the Tower. Yes in deed, the tower also once served as the Royal Zoo. Hence in this tour visitors are able to have an insight why such zoo was created and explore the exhibitions of skulls and tales of this royal beast (as the local call it)




4. Medieval Palace


Enter the world of Henry III and his son, Edward I who did much to give the tower the appearance it has today. Witness the ancient medieval way of a royal lifestyle as you enter the palace!






Top 10 Must Visit Paid - Attractions in LONDON!!


If earlier today in our Facebook page, we had shared the Top 20 Attractions in London, for both paid and free venue, this entry would be dedicated to elaborate further on the Paid Attractions! 

Well, everyone should be so excited and anxious as well when plan for a Europe Trip especially when you are going to visit London! Back in the early days of Malaysia's Independence, when one said he or she is going to London, it is almost an entire state celebration. The kepoh-type aunties will start to spread the words that he or she is going to city and out of bloom, you are the most eligible bachelor / bachelorette in the whole state! Those days, it is very difficult to travel for fun and usually those highly educated enough to be able to sent there under he government scholarship for further studies. Nowadays, all you need is to tight up your tummy, save more and cry every week during shopping-mall-sale days; and you already able to spent few thousands ringgit in a week for vacation! 

Through out this series, I try my bet to cover end to end, flood you guys with tons and tons of information and travel hacks pertaining to the Top 10 Must Visit Paid - Attraction in London!

  1. Tower of London
  2. St. Paul Cathedral 
  3. Westminster Abbey 
  4. Royal Academy of Arts
  5. Big Ben 
  6. Kew Botanical Garden 
  7. Fusiliers Museum 
  8. London Zoo 
  9. Hampton Court Palace
  10. Tower Bridge Exhibition


Saturday 28 February 2015

How to be most comfortable in a long hour flight?


***

Note : Holla greeting everyone! Sincere apologies for the late update as I was out of town for a while and without connection. The Series "How To Krabi Yourself with RM350" will continue with its 6th chapter next week! 

***

As stated in the title of this entry, how to be most comfortable in a long hour flight? The answer is YGTBFKM. In a layman term, You Got To Be F*cking Kidding Me. Everyone, every travel writer will have 1 update pertaining to this matter and me no exception. But honestly speaking, how many of these writers will gave you an honest personal opinion and tips on how to survived a long hour flight especially when the plane itself is crampy, small and have a similar ambiance like Kuala Lumpur mini bus in the early 90's? 

If the writer tell you that his / her flight is comfortable, it is either he / she being upgraded to the business class, spend a fortune for their seat, banging the cabin crew, or threaten to bomb the cockpit and etc. But in most economy for budget airlines, with no in-seats entertainment or power outlets. 

It's a BITCH

Especially you in a long hour flight. Thank God our AirAsia didn't flew to Europe (yet! I've read in an article last week if not mistaken, Tony Fernandez is announcing that AA is ready for Europe. Hence the KLIA2 will update their sign of prohibited items on the plane by adding Television, Tablet and etc or else Tony won't be able to charge for their in-seat entertainment usage - guessing from the bimbo point of view) because to be honest, really butt-hurt honest: 

  1. Your sleep will be restless 
  2. Your muscle with ache
  3. Your skin will dried out 
  4. You will feel disgusted as you deplane 
  5. You will also realized that Kim Kardaishian actually will arrive a day earlier and get ready with new make up and hair do prior exiting the airport arrival gate. 
There is no such thing as a magic pill that will make you feel good after a long hour flight. If there is a pill that give you such effect, and you swallow 1 of these pill once disembark from the plane, you will be stop at the custom immigration and perform urine test. 

But today, I'm going to teach you on how to survive it. 



Entertainment! 
Charge all your devices. Download all your favorite movies or seasons of your fave shows. If you happen to stay in caves all these years, pornography is totally not acceptable especially during flights even if you put on your earphone. Something to do with air pressure inside the male body during the extreme erection during flight up in the sky; that will lead to testicle explosion. (kidding) Stock up you papers and book, especially e-books. Invest in high-quality pair of headphones. I really mean the original good quality. Not imitation that you bought during your holiday in Bali kind of headphones.  Regardless even if you bought in Japan or US, if it is imitation, it is still an imitation yeah?! Finally don't ever-ever-ever plan to finish your job using your laptop or even use your laptop as there is no such thing as elbow room! 

On my trip from BKK - HKG via Thai Airways. 
Comfy Outfit. 
Change into your most comfortable wear before you board. Personally, I love wearing leggings and a boyfriend cotton shirt. If you are a nudist, then this advice would sound like this, "change to the most uncomfortable wear" as nudist thought being naked is their most comfortable attire. Don't forget to bring on board your lightweight blazer or cardigan, and compression socks. In a flight it is all about layers. I also carry a cashmere socks. Am not talking about RM2.00 pair of socks that you bought from the bowling alley tho. I also always bring a scarf to use as a blanket. 

It is advisable not to buy a basic looking eyemask.
Your parents who are not aware what is this will think this is actually a sanitary pad. 


How to get some sleep? 
Look around. If there is a passenger with a child or toddler around you, approach them in your sweetest smile and say this sentences, "I'm very cranky if I'm tired and lack of sleep and please help me God, if your sweet child cries throughout this journey and I can't sleep, he will be skydiving from the exit" (Kidding - but you may try. DON'T  blame me if once you arrive at your destination you will be escorted by the police. Not because you receive VVIP treatment) If the airline offer free booze, Do. Not. Drink. Booze. Alcohol doesn't help you as it only make you sleep during long haul flight worst! Scientifically proven, chamomile tea actually quite helpful in lulling me to sleep, as did the world's best eyemask and neck pillow. Personally I will use the airline provided pillow (when i wrote this, AA never cross my mind as they don't provide any pillow unless you pay extra cash) as a lower back support, my own neck pillow to cradle my head, and used my steeped chamomile teabags (wrap it in a plastic wrap and tissue) as compresses for my eyes before i slipped the eyemask on top.This will helps the skin under your eyes to be hydrated in flight.

I really really want this Eyemask! 

Quench Your Thirst. 
For other airlines that provide meals together with the ticket, you may request gallons and gallons of drinking water for free. And trust me, they don't scoop it out from the toilet bowl as a protest to your annoying 10-minutes-once-bell-ringing-asking-for-water attitude. However, for those who travel with AA, prepare with some cash in ringgits as you need to buy drinking bottle from the cabin crew. Hydration is everything during long hour flights. I also always avoid heavy foods (read - bread, meat, rice) in flight as well - you are not burning calories by sitting on your bums for hours on ends. Pre-ordering a strict vegetarian is key. the food is usually decent, and it is serve before everyone else gets their meal! 

Incubator for Virus.  

Usually I will bring Dettol. What's your fave sanitizing tissue?

For sure everyone of you readers have a friend who work as a cabin crew right? When they say they clean up the plane after everyone disembark do they really mean they clean it through? Think logic! Am may look like a bimbo but I do know this for a fact, planes are incubator for viruses, and baby, am all about prevention! I will wipe down my arm rests, seat belt fasteners, tray table both side, window pull, wall next to my seat with a sanitizing towels. When I need to use the bathroom, I will use a paper towel to open the door. But however, if I'm too tired will be snoring with my mouth open sleeping by the window. Only God know if my "ayaq liuq basi" is all over the window. Hence, brother and sisters, wipe the window as well. If we can be too tired and sleep in such behavior, others could do the same as well!

Pre-Pack Inflight Toiletries.
An in-flight toiletries with the basic (toothbrush and toothpaste, your eyeglasses face care items, (I have entire set of) lip balm, hand cream, a spare set of contacts. I also throw in some make up; concealer, powder, eyeliner, mascara, and eyebrow pencil into it. This case along with my tablets and headphones, stay in the seat back pocket in front of me. Just make sure that all the cream is less than 100ml to follow suit the international standard policy procedure. 

And there you have it folks, some of my tried-and-true tips for surviving those awful long hours flight. Stay tune for more tips, tricks and hacks.

***

Next : How to Purchase Cheaper Airline Tickets! 



Tuesday 3 February 2015

Chapter 5 : Psssst Private Beach - How To KRABI Yourself with RM350.

Previously in "How To KRABI Yourself With RM350",
***

Honestly speaking this travel challenge is really killing both of us! Basically during the day (well, for the most of yesterday were well-spent on the road in order to reach Ban Ao Nang. Hence it doesn't count) both of us only do what those on budget does. WALK. It's not the budget that killing us literally, but it is the walking! Both of us were those kind of Malaysians who Naik Kereta Sajer - a small group of society that willing to change car parking to the next 4 lots  just because we don't feel the need to walk to the shop next door. 

Morning In Ao Nang

Ban Ao Nang with the morning shine! It is 7.00 AM

On the second day, both of us really wake up a bit early than we normally does. Back in Kuala Lumpur, we describe the word 'early' as any time before tea time. We always thought that morning is when the sun is high up in the sky. But indeed we were wrong! We wake up really beyond our comfort timezone; 7 AM. I repeat back freaking 7 in the morning. If our parents read my blog (only if they learn how to on the computer first and know that today's internet doesn't need to use 1515 dial up anymore) for sure they will be surprised. The whole Malaysia will be feed with tones and tones of bananas, donated by our parents to mosques. Unfortunately, both our parents are tech-illiterate and therefore, no free banana! 

Travel Hacks : Don't jump out of bed when you wake up due to the bright day light immediately. Check the time first in order to be sure. The morning shine is quite bright compared to Kuala Lumpur though. Unless you already bought ticket for the long-tail boat tour (usually the trip start at 8.00 AM) and realize it is 8.16 AM when you wake up.  Rushing to get ready, wear your best swimming trunks or bikinis or both (we don't judge your fashion sense though) and run as fast as your can to the meet-up point. Ending up, standing in from of the tour counter alone - not due to be left behind but due to own mistake not changing the time according to the local timezone! (If you never change the time accordingly, if your clock shows 8.16 AM, it is actually 7.16 AM yeah?)

Feeding the Monkey! 

Around 8.00 AM, we had our morning walk along the Ban Ao Nang and we just exploring every inch of it, starting with the left side. Along the trail we by pass a row of massage huts that offer the ever-refreshing Thai massage by the beach! At the end of it, there is a magnificent white-marble shrine. The color and its design, facing the wide endless Andaman Sea really brings out the romantic ambiance to everyone who by pass the holy place. Unfortunately it doesn't work on me even though when i snap the below picture, a handsome Caucasian tourist with a surf-board abs and a face resembles to Zac Efron bypass behind me. Our relationship only able to stay on for 2 seconds when he throw a glimpse at me. But am still not sure whether he is looking at me or the shrine? If he is looking at me, then it is worth it that I gave him my sweetest smile. Because if he doesn't, it only mean that the smile was actually being given to an old couple who wear the smallest swimming trunk and bikini that left little for imagination. The last kind of nightmare I would love to have. Worst if the grandpa in the black swimming thong waving his hand towards me. Rather die! 

I simply can;t stop laughing remembering that I scream at Eeman and said, "Kubur Islam babe by the beach"
Due to its design of batu-nisan-alike surround it and I was looking at this shrine from far. 
Worst I could heard some Malaysian Malay tourist followed me with their excited-face to have a look at so called malay cemetery in Krabi. Bimbo moment #121


There is few trees near to the shrine and there is a swing! A normal classic swing - rope and tyre. Eeman did try her best Miley-Cyrus twerk-it-style pose with the swing while singing out loud Monster Ball. Some of the morning joggers did stop and look at us and shook their heads. Perhaps, they obviously thought that it is too early to get drunk for these two crazy ladies!

The world-famous Miley Cyrus. LOL


Travel Hacks : Be extremely careful when you trying to have your twerking-pose at the swings. The trees are basically the location for Monkey Feeding! Aware of your surrounding as the last thing you want to have in this adventure is running around in your bikini chasing a monkey who took your bag! Lesson learn! Don't ask about it. Bloody monkeys! 

Criminal who took my bag. 

Ao Nang Centera Beach

There is a 5 start resort that offer a private beach on the other side of the Ao Nang beach. Centera Krabi Beach Resorts. In order to get here is via a boat transfer as there is no connecting-road from Ao Nang to the resort. However, unknown to many tourists, there is actually a short hiking trail (staircases actually) that will lead your to the resort. 
You will find this nearby the swings! This is the hiking starting point!
We both didn't knew that the staircase will lead you to the resort as we thought there is a lookout point on top. At first, we only want to have a morning walk and then sunbathing till noon! Never cross our mind that we will be hiking a staircase for 30 minute; wearing a 2-piece-bikini, a chiffon scarf cardigan, a full beading flip flop and a flower on my head! But the view is just breath-taking. (Obviously I was short of breath due to the hiking more than seeing the view)

I didn't exaggerate when I said I hike in such a way.
The only thing I left behind is a pair of heels!

The Centera beach is only open for the resort's guests but however, since the beach is not easily access by the public, hence it is not a problem if you want to have a swim or chill around. Less crowd than Ao Nang beach. 

Centera Resort's beach at 10 am.

Travel Hacks : Since the resort rely on the boat transfer for all its guests, there is a 150 metres platform for the boats to dock. The platform will give you a beautiful picture shoot with the Andaman Sea and Thai's famous limestones as background. Just wait until there is no boats at the dock and approach the security guard with a smile and tell them you want to snap some pictures. Be kind and friendly to the locals!  



Krabi Resort Beach Pathway

If the staircase to Centera Beach is on the left side, Krabi Resort Beach Pathway is located at the end right hand side of Ban Ao Nang. I am not talking about the beach in front of the Krabi resort though - that is still a common beach area. Many didn't know that there is a concrete pathway behind the Krabi Resort beach bar (Find the bar!). The pathway is basically on the cliff overlooking the whole Ao Nang beach and Andaman Sea. 

The pathway that leads to Krabi Resort's beach. Overlooking the whole Ao Nang beach.

About 3 minutes walking along the pathway, you will reach a private small beach about 10 metres long. It is between the Ao Nang beach and Noppharat Thara beach. What make this beach unique is there is a lot of limestone caves and believe me, it is extremely beautiful! So when others went to the island tours and snap a photo on the beach with few other tourist as the background, you basically have a photo shoot with no one around and don't even need to take the boat ride. Simple use your legs and walk. 




When you in an exotic a d beautiful place like this, your mind just went wild and strike a pose!
Travel hacks : This beach is much more deserted than the Centera Resort beach. Hence for those who are quite shy to swim in the public, this would be one of your option. Nevertheless be extremely careful with your belongings. 


Free Pineapple

To sun-bathe while having a bite of fresh fruits or snacks will make you feel good about yourself, right?! However, like any other tourist destinations, a slice of pineapple in Ao Nang will cost you a good 40- 45 baht! Wallaweh, that is about RM4 plus. Even the expensive fruit stalls inside KLCC is charging cheaper than that. 



Most of these fruit sellers are also the owner of massage huts along the Ao Nang beach. Some of the fruits portion are actually freebies to be given to tourists as a token of invitation to experience and purchase the massages. However they more likely to give these freebies to western tourists as they usually assume the westerners have more money to spend. 

How to get a bit of these delicious fresh fruits for free? All you need to do is be friendly. As both of us never tried the massages before along the beach, we did what everyone do best - GOOGLE for review. Not reading about the massages but instead we looking for key-points or personal information about the massage huts' owners. Luckily for us, the reviews not only did share the massage experience details, the reviewers also share some personal details of conversation between them and the massage huts' owners! 

Travel hacks : All we need to do is just approach the owner (cross your fingers and make sure you approach the correct person), smile and say, "Hi you Tik Tik right? Remember me? I came here to massage last 3 years!" or something like that. Then try to make conversation using the information you gathered from the internet. Make them think you really knew them and you are indeed their customers. and wallah - not one but TWO slice of free pineapple due to their kindness! If you can TALK, you get FREE stuffs!

Pizza Lunch 

About 12 noon, both of us were damn hungry and starving for meal. What do you expect? We only had bread for breakfast and 2 slice of pineapples. We decided to have pizza or pasta for lunch. The rich bimbos attitude remain as usual despite the shoestring budget! We survey for Italian restaurants and surprisingly, most Italian restaurants hire foreign or local workers. The word foreign here referring to Pakistani and Bangladeshi workers. You see, back in Malaysia, when we said Bangladeshi working in a restaurant we only think of Mamak-kind of style. But in Krabi - they work in Italian food restaurant occay! 

Most of the restaurants offer a limited-period (my a**) promotion for a 34cm diameter pizza and some restaurants also offer a deal-offer for pasta dishes. However, the price varies depending on the restaurants' location. Kindly refer to the travel hack below!



We went to Becoffino Restaurant since they offer all pizzas and pasta dishes for only 150 baht. Well, that is not the main reason though. Basically we went there for the cute-yet-muscular Pakistani waiter with the deep blue eyes. The waiter was wearing a muscle tee shirt and short-short pant that leave little for our wild imagination mind. Only the pizza being ordered - as we bring our own drinking water from the motel! Like what Eeman said, "splurge on the meals, air bungkus sajork!

The 150 baht pizza for two!


Travel Hacks : The restaurants adjacent to the beach will offer you 180 baht for a pizza. While those along the Krabi's resort is 150 baht; and those along the Starbuck offer 149 baht. 

Ao Nang Beach

For those who love tthe beach-lifestyle, I mean just sun-bathe and lay on the white sands (don't believe other travel writers' review on how glamorous sun bathe and lay on the beach sand - as lay down on the sand without a towel or mat; it is f*cking hot and burn your skin. Trust me, I had learn my lesson!) then Ao Nang suit you, may be! Since there is none beach activities to be seen and less Victoria Secret (for the lady chaser) or Calvin Klein (for those who attracted to guys) models look-alike on the beach, it could be such a a boring situation after a while. Reading a novel or a magazine or a tabloid under the hot sun with shades and day dream that you look like a Kardaishian is far way from reality. 

Travel Hacks : Every Sunday morning around 8 AM there will be a bootcamp for guys at the beach. And you can sit down and chill and enjoy the magificient view of roman-God-like bods running and do all the bootcamp training activity. (*wink* - we call it as scoutig for our personal 'Imam')



Travel Hacks : You may also order the delicious Pad Thai from the Beach Bar. It is located next to the Old Fisherman BBQ Cafe's entrance and adjacent to the Ao Nang beach itself. The dish costs only 50 baht per plate. Extremely spicy and yet heavenly delicious! I told you before, even we were on a shoestring kind of budget, we never skip a meal. Tea time is a must even though it only mean we had a McDonald sundae cone! 

Landmark for this Beach Bar is look for that orange wall!
End your day enjoying the sunset. 

Expenses


Pizza               = 75 baht
Pad Thai          = 50 baht 
Meal Day 2       = 60 baht
McDonald Cone = 19 baht
Total               = 204  baht

Balance    =  Thai Baht 677 and RM38.00

***

Next : Chapter 6 : Beware of the Paperdoll Scam Nightlife - How To KRABI Yourself With RM350.


Monday 26 January 2015

Chapter 4 : Pasar Malam Pasar Malam in Ao Nang - How To KRABI Yourself with RM350

Previously in "How To KRABI Yourself with RM350",

Chapter 1 : Senandung Langkawi

***

Once settled with our check-in, rest for a while, shower and get ready; both of us simply grab our handbags and heads out. Mostly when others would check the beach or the Ao Nang street first, we went to check further away from the beach - the Muslim neighborhood. 

Malaysian in Krabi 


Krabi, Thailand is merely 816 KM away from our beloved Kuala Lumpur city, Malaysia. If you flew in via air (I'm refering to airplanes though), it will only take you about 1 hour and a half to reach Krabi International Airport. Unless there is someone who open the plane's door during the take off  - you eshould xpect some delay. Perhaps arrives the day after, due to delays, security check and investigations. If you want to drive, it is merely 18 hours journey if you could start your car. Or else may be years depending to your physical strength to push the car all way through. Malaysia Boleh would be the personal slogan. 

Hence, it is not something new when one Malaysian stays in Ban Ao Nang for her first time especially over the weekend and get a little bit confuse whether she did cross the international border or not. Trust me, it will be pack with Malaysian'plate numbered cars! 

Travel hacks : Like any tourist destination hot spot, it is wise not to travel and stay over the weekend in Krabi. Not only it will be pack with the local Thais, but also with neighboring country i.e Malaysia. Most of them are from the northern part like Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. However, during this trip, I came to my realization that some Malaysian are really a group of adventure-seekers! I came across with a convoy of 8 Malacca-numbered plate cars. When I thought the journey from Kuala Lumpur to Ao Nang is tiring enough, Malacca - Ao Nang is just beyond my expectation. Moving forwar, the only way for me to be amazed and WOW at other fellow Malaysian travelers' adventure would be by "mengensot" or dragging yourself on the side while laying down all the way up north to Ao Nang. Other mode of transportation and journey should only be classified as average thrill! 

Halal Food in Krabi 


Due to this matter, and also to add that most Thai's Muslims call the southern regions as their home; it is not a shock that you could easily get Halal food in Krabi. There are dozens and dozens halal stalls and restaurants that offers variety of local delicacies along the Ao Nang Street. However they are certain restaurant do serve alcoholic beverages through a third-party bar. 

Halal food stalls near Krabi Resort
Credit to Nina Jasmine

Like any other tourist destination, in any part of the world; when there is a lot of tourist; the prices of goods will hike up to the mountains and beyond. For instance in Bali for example, the rent of sun-bathing lounge chair is  35,000 Rupiah while the tourist will be paying up to 100,000 Rupiah. A pack of Thai mango would cost only 20 Baht for locals or 70 Baht for the tourist. So for those who could speak the country's mother tongue, it is an additional advantage in order to enjoy the local rates. If only the face features are more less the same with the locals tho. Or else, you need to master another skills to get the 50 Baht discount for the mango, Special Effect Make Up. Yeah right, the Thais would believe a Nigerian black guy who can only speak "Sawadikarp" as their fellow Thai national!. (Even funnier if the black guy has Irish red hair, Indian almond shape eye and Native-American strong cheekbones - trying to blend in and bluff everyone that he is a local Thai)

Hence, it answer a lot of questions when you receive the bill for two with the amount of 280 Baht. Holding the bill with one hand while the other hand pat your forehead while your eyes glance back and forth between the bill and your 2 empty plates of Thai fried rice and 2 half-full glasses of fresh fruit juice. Some may say "well, it is only 280 baht, pay it up and don't be so scrooge about it". With the current currency exchange rate, 280 baht means you are paying around RM 35.00. 

Travel hacks : It is wise to bring a lot of your packed food or canned food like sambal ikan bilis, maggi for example (whiskers or pedigree if you find those type of canned fod tasty). Especially when you are in a very limited budget and going to stay for a long period of time. Or else, continue reading!

Muslim Neighborhood 


Many of us didn't realize the existence of a Muslim community in Ban Ao Nang area. Well, I didn't blame you when there is a continuous parade of Victoria Secret models in 2-piece-bikini during the day, all over the places. (rolling eyes) Okay fine, that statement is a bit exaggerated. Basically it is a parade of highly-confident-tourists with muffin-tops-at-the-hip parading 2-piece-Brazilian-bikini. Once a while, a Michelin-tyre mascot will join in a slow motion and blend with the rest of these muffin-tops wearing dark-colored brazillian bikini. Those bikini top that have 2 triangular shape that only cover those nipples. To find one Victoria-Secret-model-type is not even close to the phrase "finding a needle in a haystack" but more like "finding one in the whole barnyard!" Nevertheless, love the confident especially when they hop with joy like a 10-year-old school kid while singing loudly, "all about the bass".

Red Star is our guest house location.
Red circle is basically the Muslim neighbourhood
Blue Star is the Ao Nang Walking Street
Travel hacks : This Muslim neighborhood located about 850 metres from the beach and less bikini-clad bodies walking around. The main centre of the neneighborhoods the Ao Nang Mosque, with a Muslim cemetery adjacent to it. The easiest landmark for this neighborhood to find the Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang next to the cemetary. 

Walking from our guest house to the neighborhood is actually  about 45 minutes.  Well, what do you expect when you have 2 girls who love-to-shop-yet-don't-have-enough-money-to-buy-a-souvenir walking by pass shops after shops. We may not have enough money but that doesn't mean we can not go in and pretend to have a lot of it! We even bargain for a beautiful painting from 4300 Baht to 3000 Baht and then asked "do you accept Visa?" when we already saw the sign, 'Cash Only' before entering the gallery. Along the walk, you will by pass a Starbuck, McDonald's and a hotel name Vogue Hotel & Resort (in exact sequence) on your left while a row of clubs, massage centres and seafood restaurant on your right. 

Ao Nang Mosque's Food Stalls


There are 2 mosque in Ban Ao Nang (please don't get confuse!) The one that located in the neighborhood is the Ao Nang Mosque, which is located 1 KM from the beach.

Ao Nang Mosque with its row of street food stalls 

Once the sun set, there will be a row of halal stalls owned by Muslim owners that give your cheap and delicious food! If the halal stalls next to Krabi Resort by beach only offer pancakes, various fried rices and noodles; the stalls in front of Ao Nang Mosque offer a bit of middle east and Asian flavours. You can find seafood satay, Japanese-style shiitake mushroom gill, Thai's adaptation of Malaysian-yong-tau-foo steamboat, Persian Kebabs, adaptation of Indian's Beriyani and mussels pancake. When both of us went there last week, there is nothing above 50 baht. I repeat, nothing above 50 baht if you order for 1 items. You can't expect to order 10 meals and pay only 50 baht. 

Travel Hacks : Most of the food stalls only open during the night after Maghrib prayers. Dress appropriately and wear a flip flop - anything that scream only the word comfortable. Not because the evening breeze is a bit chilly, but it just going to be so awkward when the locals aunties coming out from the mosque after the Isya' in telekung while you in mini skirts and bikini top. Trust me, the aunties will definitely get back inside and continue with any other prayers. Qiamullail all the way to Subuh Farj. If it is the Michelin-type-wearing-the-bikini-top-only, the aunties devote another 2 years inside the mosque. 

Ao Nang Walking Street 

There are 2 Walking Street in Ao Nang. Don't get confuse with Catalunya Walking Street and Ao Nang Walking Street. Catanlunya is the night market that is quite modern located near the beach. The one with the Greek statue in the middle of it. While Ao Nang Walking Street is located at Soi Ao Nang 11/1, approximately 1.15 KM from the beach.

This is Cantalunya Walking Street.
I' ill share with you readers, in Chapter 6

Ao Nang Walking Street
Ao Nang Walking Street is actually a night market located within the Muslim neighborhood. It only open for business during the night. Until to date, I still wonder myself, why the night market in Malaysia and Thai only open during the evening.  Please don't expect it to be a massive one like the one we have in Putrajaya Prescint 2 or Jalan TAR. There is only 15 to 20 stalls maximum and half of it selling foods! Cheap and delicious local delicacies! But I'm not pretty sure whether it is open every night or on specific night. In fact I've tried to Google for the information also not available! 

Soi Ao Nang 11/1 - Ao Nang Night Market. 

It was here when we finally able to find something to eat after almost 1 hour 30 minutes of window shopping. Mussels Pancake. It was basically mussels, eggs (who doesn't love eggs, right girls?), flour and some chili powder. At first both of us really thought it was a mere scramble eggs or telur dadar Reading the board it stated the price is 40 Baht. So I was basically frowning my eyebrows and said to myself, "Did he use a golden egg for the scramble?" After seeing the guy cooked the pancake that I'd realized that I was wrong! Indeed it taste so delicious with a bit of Kimball chili sauce!

The guy is actually a Thai national but can speak a fluent bahasa Malysia
psssst he look a bit like Kamal Adli, a Malaysian actor.
The 35 Baht Mussels Pancake
Yummmy!!


Travel hacks : Malaysian being Malaysian. Night market food is simply the best! Right? 

Expenses


Pancakes    = 40 baht
McParfait   = 45 baht
Total       = 85 baht

Balance    =  Thai Baht 881 and RM38.00

Another 2 nights to go! 
***

Next : Chapter 5 : Psssst Private Beach - How To KRABI Yourself with RM350.