Kool Krabi

On our approach to Krabi (CNB 2013)

The next 'port of call' on our Andaman Sea cruise was Krabi, landing at Klong Heang or Ao Pra Nang jetty by boat in the morning around 10.00 am. Krabi Province has scenic karst formations near the coast and in the middle of Mae Nam Krabi (Krabi River). Part of the Thai mainland, the province also incorporates more than 150 islands including Ko Phi-Phi Leh, made famous by the Hollywood movie, The Beach.

Boats for island hopping at Ao Pra Nang jetty area (CNB 2013) 

Again we toured some parts of Krabi Province on a colourful local bus. Our first stop was in the capital, Krabi town, which sits on the banks of the Krabi River. As tourists, a photo stop at the Khao Khanap Nam was quite compulsory. The town's most prominent landmark and symbolic of Krabi are the two limestone 'pillars' rising over 100 metres from the water and contain caves complete with stalactites and stalagmites.

Our colourful local bus (CNB 2013)

The quintessential tourist pic at Khao Khanap Nam (AB 2013)

At midday, lunch was at a local Muslim restaurant, Rabeab's Kitchen at Suksamran Road. Apart from delicious tom yum, I also loved the Thai laksa, complete with refreshing herbs and vegetables. Halal food is not hard to find in Krabi as half the provincial population are Muslims.

Refreshing herbs and veges for Thai laksa (CNB 2013)

Malaysians love shopping, so after lunch it was shopping at the Outlet Village Krabi at Petchkasem Road. We picked up some superhero tees there, compliments of a gift exchange game the previous night on the ship. Then we were supposed to visit the Marine Fish Rehabilitation Centre, but ... this was overruled and the bus headed back to Khao Khanap Nam because a dictatorial someone wanted to do more shopping there. Sheesh! So A and I just crossed the road to this interesting looking coffee shop/cafe/restaurant to have a cuppa while waiting for the others who bought (made in China) stuff to their hearts' content. The Doi Chaang coffee we had at the Koko Nest was really goood. (And no wonder, as I only discovered later, it is wild Thai civet coffee!)

A at the Koko Nest cafe/restaurant (CNB 2013)

After this we headed back to Ao Nang beach (the longest in Krabi) where we could at least walk on the almost white sand for a while. The beach had been popular with Swedish package tourists but now the Russians have 'invaded' the multitude of shops, restaurants and accomodations along the rather well developed strand. Then for us, it was back to the cruise ship around 6.00 pm to get ready for the gala show and dinner on our last night on board.

At Ao Nang beach (CNB 2013)

12 November 2013

Phuket Island, Pearl of the South

Phuket in the rain (CNB 2013)

While on our Andaman Sea cruise, Ko Phuket or Phuket Island was the (Superstar Libra) ship's first port of call. When we left the ship on a small boat to the island's Patong Beach jetty, it was raining cats and dogs. The Patong Beach area seemed a pretty busy stretch despite the rain, and according to our local guide Samart, most tourists who come here now are Russian (previously it was the Scandinavians). There are no signs of the tsunami disaster which devastated Phuket in 2004. In fact, just two years later Phuket had recovered and the tourists have all come back in droves.


Phuket was originally Bukit (hill) in Malay. This biggest island of Thailand is also a province with income derived from tourism, tin, rubber and cashews. Formerly it was called Ko Thalang and before that Junk Ceylon (English corruption of the Malay 'Tanjung Salang' or Cape Salang). Phuket has a culture all of its own, combining Chinese and Portuguese influences with that of the chao naam or the sea gypsies, an indigenous ocean-going people, and the southern Thais. About 35% of the island's population are Thai Muslims and mosques outnumber Buddhist wat (temples) 38 to 37 (in 2001)*.

Elephant ahoy!

A tour of Phuket island had been arranged for us. By bus we were taken to the Island Safari Adventure Camp where we rode on elephants; always a thrilling experience. We noticed that all the mahouts seem to be Myanmarese and they displayed great control of the elephants (aided by sharp metal hooks which did not look elephant friendly). There were other rides including on bullock carts and 4WDs, but when in Thailand, elephants are the way to go.

Tourists riding in a bullock cart (CNB 2013)

On the south east of the island is Promthep Cape with a panaromic view of the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean. This is the southernmost tip of Phuket. There is also an elephant shrine there. While taking photos at the Cape, a very red-haired girl snapped our pictures (on the sly), so in turn I took hers, but with her permission. She may be a chao naam but the language barrier between us provided only uncertainty. Anyway it turned out that she was working at a nearby stall which then processed our pictures and put them in frames. A tourist trap surely, but then parting with your money for a tacky souvenir is really voluntary.

At picturesque Promthep Cape (CNB 2013)

Red-haired girl at Promthep Cape (CNB 2013)

After Promthep Cape we went to where all tour buses seem to stop by - this cashew nut factory of Sri Burapha Orchid. I love cashew nut so it was fine with me. Here you get to see how they extract the nut from the cashew seed and process it. The nuts get flavoured in ...  wasabi, bbq, honey, tom yum of course, etc., etc. There was also cashew juice which proved quite a refreshing taste.

Extracting cashew nuts (CNB 2013)

Just before going back to the ship, we returned to the Patong Beach area again to check out the (in)famous Soi Bangla (Bangla Road), Phuket's 'party zone', closed to traffic when the sun sets. There was also quick shopping done at the Jungceylon shopping complex.

One of several bars on Bangla Road (CNB 2013)

Sidewalk tile of the Patong Beach area (CNB 2013)

We left Phuket to get back to the ship around 8.00 pm. Suffice to say, we only got a glimpse of this island life in the very short time we were there.

*Ref: Thailand. 9th ed. (Lonely Planet, 2001) Ex Libris CNB 1299  ** I know, I know ... it is a decade old!
11 November 2013

Cruising the Andaman Sea

Sailing away from Pulau Pinang (AP 2013)

Recently I went on my very first cruise on a big ship. The 4D/3N trip would start from Pulau Pinang, sail to Phuket and Krabi in Thailand before coming back to PP. The cruise started on a Sunday with a 'check-in' at the PP International Cruise Terminal, so passports must not be forgotten. Boarding started in the afternoon and there was a mandatory safety drill for all.

The mandatory safety drill (CNB 2013)

The ship set sail at 5.00 pm and a 'sail away' party started at the poolside on deck 9, followed by a BBQ dinner party. In the later part of the evening, it was showtime at the Stardust Lounge. But for A and me, it was time to hit the sack, because the very early morning bus trip from KL up to PP and the various activities that followed led to tired bodies. Ahh ... it was quite blissful to be sleeping in a comfy cabin bed in a floating hotel!

Welcome to the cabins on deck 6 (CNB 2013)

The next morning after a sumptuous breakfast, it was "Fun with Pak Nil" at the poolside. Popular presenter Datuk Aznil Hj Nawawi or Pak Nil, played host to about 300 of his fans who'd followed him on the cruise.

At midday, the ship arrived in Phuket, Thailand and we enjoyed a shore excursion of about 7 hours before re-embarking for dinner on board (I will write a post on Phuket in more detail). Later we would celebrate Pak Nil's birthday in a pyjama theme party. Certainly he's a very youthful 51 year old. Here's wishing a very happy birthday, Aznil and many more to come.

With Aznil, host extraordinaire (AB 2013)

Tuesday morning was the start of another shore excursion in Krabi (I will do a post on this later too). We re-embark in the late afternoon and in the evening there was the Gala dinner with the ship's Captain in attendance, at the Four Seasons and Ocean Palace Restaurants. The dinner was preceded by a Gala show - Rasputin, by a Russian troupe. Quite a fantastic performance by very tall dancers, acrobats and contortionists. A farewell party too followed as the next day will see the ship arrive back in PP around midday. I noticed that many of the passengers came with families in tow, some three generations strong. There were also many tourists from India and maybe China/Taiwan.

The first of many poolside parties on deck 9 (CNB 2013)

A pose at one of the numerous parties on board (AB 2013)

The Star Cruise's Superstar Libra is quite a big (10 deck) ship with a capacity for nearly 1,500 passengers and 740 cabins. With the super typhoon Haiyan hitting the Philippines* earlier, I thought the seas would be rough in the Andaman. But it was really smooth sailing. We were on the sixth deck and slept like logs on all three nights on the ship. On board it was mostly fun with lots of activities that may be enjoyed - there are live shows and bands, KTV, disco, movies, spa, sports activities including swimming, gymnasium, basketball, golf, etc. (plus gambling - is it a sport?) and duty-free shops. There are many (8) food and beverage outlets to cater for all gastronomic needs, including the halal-certified Spices Restaurant. Heck, it is a mini-city afloat. All in all, it was a thoroughly fun trip.

*Our heartfelt condolence to the victims of this disaster. May recovery be fast with the aid of the international community, including generous Malaysians.

10-13 November 2013

Landmarks of Selangor: Wat Thai Buddhist Chetawan

I used to live in Petaling Jaya while studying at the University of Malaya in the early 70s and I do remember a beautiful white and gilded Buddhist temple building surrounded by green trees and a lake. But I never had the time (really?) to visit it then. In my current resolve to visit/revisit Selangor landmarks, I went with M to check out the architecture of this building recently.

The Wat Thai Buddhist Chetawan (Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple) or simply Wat Chetawan is a fine Buddhist temple constructed and decorated in the Thai style. Built in 1962, it is located in Jalan Pantai, Petaling Jaya, and driving from Shah Alam, we found it easily using the GPS. No longer a single temple building (that I remember), the complex consists of several pavilions as well (mostly built 20 years after the main temple).

'In the glittering modern style of Rattanakosin or Bangkok School, the temple is raised on a low, moulded podium reached by a broad flight of steps. Two side doors lead from the entrance porch into the single space prayer hall where the sitting image of Buddha, ... is enthroned on an alter ... The doors and windows, ... show a slight inward taper, as do the main walls of the temple. The distinguishing feature of Thai temples is the three-stepped roof with spiky up-turned finials. The main chor fah ... is the frontmost, horn-shaped finial at the apex of the roof'.

The Bell pavilion used to be in a landscaped garden but is now flanked by new buildings, including the Amulet shops.

There are several buildings added on, including a pavilion with many holy images, facing the main temple. The Goddess of Mercy/Kuan Yin has her own pavilion nearby. Other buildings in the complex include the Dhammasala (Meditation Hall), the Columbrium, the Maitreya Buddha Pagoda, etc.

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003. 
28 August 2013

Movies I like: The Legend of Suriyothai

The Legend of Suriyothai is a Thai movie by Chatri Chalerm Yukol and presented by Francis Ford Coppola.  It is a lavish production based on the true story of Princess Suriyothai who lived in 16th century Siam. The intrigue and clash between the most powerful families and also the wars with neighbouring Burma make for an incredible spectacle of Thai history.

Princess Suriyothai made many sacrifices for her country - she married a man she did not love to keep the peace between families, she took on traitors plotting against the King, and she laid down her life in the front-lines of a fierce frontier battle.

This period movie showcases the elegance, pomp and ceremony of Thai royalty, the might of war elephants and the beauty of the country.

My Thailand in Pictures & Poetry (2004)

(With apologies for my very amateur Haiku -  my maiden attempt! Dare I even call it Haiku? Unrhymed, 17 syllables - 5, 7, 5 right? Maybe Haiku in the form/structure, but the concept? Again, my apologies especially to Basho, Buson and Issa!)

This time we greet you
Sawadika from Thailand
Land of smiles aplenty

Bangkok fair, we come
Tis charming to see beauty
Your people so warm

M, B & ethnic ladies from the mountains hawking in the city (CNB 2004)

The Palace is Grand
A must-see sight by evry (sic) one
Bangkok's most famed place

Three happy imitators (AB 2004)

Gold, gold everywhere (Our Guide 2004)

The rain it pours down
Drenching us and some students
Despite it we smile

A, M and me with some college students (BB 2004)

Here sir, let me help
Smoothen your uniform right
Do your thing, guard well

Changing of the Palace Guards (CNB 2004)

We make a quick stop
At Bangkok Gems Gallery
Real gems being people

A, B & Gems Gallery salesgirls (CNB 2004)

The Bangkok sky train
Takes us places we want to
Seek Thai courtesy

M, A & B while we await our sky train. Smile, father! (CNB 2004)

The Tuk tuk we ride
Flys through the Bangkok traffic
The driver gleeful

While A, B & M enjoyed the ride, I was petrified! The driver
thought he was in F1, I think (CNB 2004)

Lo Ayutthaya
Steeped in history and beauty
The old capital

In Ayutthaya
Bang Pa In Summer Palace
Beckons visitors

At the Summer Palace's formal gardens , its like being
 in Europe (Our Guide 2004)

Elephant family
In nice green topiary
With B, A and M

In the gardens of the Summer Palace (CNB 2004)

Posing by the 'Sages Outlook' tower (Our Guide 2004)

Reclining Buddha
Swathed in yellow, oh so bright
Tourists pose around

A, B, M & Reclining Buddha at Ayutthaya (CNB 2004)

B, A & Bodhisattvas as far as the eye can see (CNB 2004)

The Buddha and M (CNB 2004)

You must never pose
Higher than the Buddha's head
Out of reverence

M poses with the most photographed Buddha head in Thailand
(CNB 2004)

On headless Buddha
You never superimpose
Your own head ever

A by the headless Buddhas. We saw a French tourist superimpose
her head on one body for a photo, & got strongly rebuked by both
guards and the locals. Silly tourist! (CNB 2004)

We then come across
The rare 'moon and star' hawker
So some fruits we buy

A poses with the 'moon & star' hawker (CNB 2004)

Damnoen Saduak
Floating Market here we come
Busy and bustling

Floating tourists! (CNB 2004)

We spot a vendor
She has durians on offer
Which M promptly buys!

The lone vendor & fruits galore (CNB 2004)

The floating market
So many photos to take
For rememberance

Anything and everything is available at the market that comes
 to you (CNB 2004)

No problem if you are higher up, a pole picks
up your money and delivers you your ware (CNB 2004)

B, A, buy pencils
From this boy oh so charming
He knows how to trade

B, A & a little trader in pencils (CNB 2004)

The Rose Garden has
Ceremonies rural, Thai
Elephants the stars

In the Rose Garden
The elephants show the way
To a joyful ride

A & B have ago atop an elephant (CNB 2004)

Baby, the star at the Rose Garden (CNB 2004)

August 2004