Ao Nang Night Market

The Ao Nang city mothers and fathers have done a smart thing, providing a great space and facility for a night market, seating for hundreds, bar service and entertainment. It provides a clean and well-lit environment for the more squeamish among us to try Thai street food; and to be assured that what we're eating hasn't been sitting out on the cart all day. Anyhow, Vicki led the way, not so much by example, and I enjoyed the market so much as to eat there a second night.

In the future I think I'll stick with the pina coladas

Speaking of sticks, Vlad the Impaler would have loved Thai street food

"Jujube"? Not in a box? Yes, also called Chinese date; traveling is so broadening

Sushi district

The really tempting stuff; 30 baht=$1US; prepared before your eyes

First night I finally opted for the shrimp and seaweed and cucumber; second night,
shrimp satay; I really like shrimp, especially when someone else peels, de-veins, etc.

Forbidden fruit; little did I know I'd be eating it in a few days in Singapore

"Mackerel from Norway"

Super place; actually the food hall is down the way, beyond the pointy things

Cruising The Karsts, 2

Our voyage to the islands off Ao Nang continues...

Heading back from Chicken Island

Good view of a long-tail boat; Thai specialty, but seen throughout southeast Asia

Low tide sand bar

Caves at another island

More distant islands

Looking back to the mainland

Puda, again (I think)

Falling arch

Tower

No room at this inn

Note overhang on left

Under it and its stalactites

Another island, another overhang

Thus

Now headed back in toward Railay beaches

Swinging around for Ao Nang

We are wading ashore as our boat heads back to Railay; another good trip

Cruising The Karsts, 1

So we set forth in our own hired long-tail boat for the circumnavigation and closer look at some of the islands off of Ao Nang and Railay beaches, principally Puda, Tup, and Chicken Islands. Our pilot, Fred, got us there quickly, a rougher ride than previously, owing presumably to a light boat and a slightly choppier sea. Perhaps he was hoping to make us seasick, abort the trip, no refund. The rougher ride was actually fun, however, and we persevered.

Looking back to the unvisited Railay Beach East

On our way

Random island/karst on the way

Puda Island; many boats, many people lying on beaches

Not us

Ever onward; note color of shallower water

Approaching Chicken Island

Thus

Random island off the port bow

In the distance, out of our range, the Phi Phi Islands (I think)

Rare dorsal view of Chicken Island

More islands

Selfie

Vicki

Fish feeding

Us, there, off Chicken Island, Andaman Sea, etc.

Railay Beach West

After a day of rest, we decided we had had enough of the long-tail boat excursions to the islands and their sun and fun but that we would visit just one more beach, Railay Beach, which is ten minutes east of Ao Nang, accessible only by boat. There are some big karsts in the way. It's in part a resort destination and also jumping off point (so to speak) for rock climbing in the area.

Another day, another long-tail boat ride, this one very short; two other couples,
one rock climbers from Colorado, the other tourists from China who had to carry
their suitcases on their shoulders in order to get to the boat, which was anchored
in knee-deep water off the beach

Islands off Ao Nang; as close as we'd get, we thought

Ao Nang development

At an intermediate beach, dropping off the rock climbers

Landing at Railay Beach West

The plan was to have a look at Railay Beach West and then take the trail, to the
left of these karsts, over to Railay Beach East for a look and then return; that was
the plan...

Helpful map of the Railay Beaches

Main Street, Railay West

Checking out the climbing shop; I did some climbing in the 70s and 80s (walk-ups
since then), but never would have considered climbing on limestone...the metamorphic
stuff is a good bit more reliable...

Last shot of Railay Beach; when I returned from my exploration of Main Street,
Vicki announced she had struck a deal for a boat ride out to the islands off Ao
Nang; no landings, just cruising around the karsts, just us and the long-tail boat
guy; it was what we had wanted to do anyway, no lying on beaches, and I
readily agreed; as I have often observed, we only make plans so we can change
them...