Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping
Government Bungalows
( 0 7563 7200; bungalows 1000B)
These wooden, fan-cooled bungalows across the street from
the beach are rustic yet well maintained and a terrific budget choice. Prices don't go up in
the high season, but you'd better book ahead. Check in at national park headquarters near
the harbour.
BUNGALOWS
$$
Sabai Resort
( 0 7563 7791;
www.sabairesort.com
;
bungalows 1300-1600B; )
This is the most profession-
ally run of the area's bungalow properties. The tiled-roof bungalows are fan cooled with
pebbled concrete patios overlooking a palm-shaded swimming pool and a flower garden.
HOTEL
$$
Kruthara
( 0 7563 7361; Hat Nopparat Thara; meals from 300B; 11am-10pm; )
This cavernous, tin-roof de-
light is the best restaurant in the South Andaman, and one of the best seafood kitchens in
Thailand, which places it high in the running for best worldwide. There is no pretension
here, just the freshest fish, crab, clams, oysters, lobster and prawns done dozens of ways,
some of which are very special.
The crab fried in yellow curry is spectacular - with meaty legs half cracked and wait-
ing, and the guts and roe scrambled in eggs which are drenched in curry and piled on top
of the crab itself. The fried rice is fluffy and light, and the snapper fried in red curry is
scintillating and moist and one of the best fish dishes we've ever eaten in Thailand (and
we've had hundreds). Simply put, this is a meal that can turn enemies into friends, friends
into lovers and lovers into life partners.
SEAFOOD
$$
Getting There & Away
Sŏrng·tăa·ou
between Krabi and Ao Nang stop in Hat Noppharat Thara; the fare is 50B
from Krabi or 20B from Ao Nang.
From November to May the
Ao Nang Princess
runs between Ko Phi-Phi Marine Na-
tional Park headquarters and Ko Phi-Phi (400B, two hours). The boat leaves from the na-
tional park jetty at 9am, returning from Ko Phi-Phi at 1.30pm. It also stops at Hat Railay
West. This boat can also be used for day trips to Ko Phi-Phi. During the same high-season
months, there's also a 3pm boat to Phuket (700B, four hours) leaving from the same pier
and a 10.30am boat to Ko Lanta (470B, 1½ hours).
