To the South: Krabi
After 18 months of barely leaving home because of COVID, we decided to start our time in Thailand with a week in the south. After researching some of the popular destinations in the south, we chose Krabi to avoid the crowd in Phuket from the sandbox program.
Getting to Krabi was smoother than we expected though there were still lots of COVID related changes to how one travels. All the airports in Thailand have changed how passengers flow through their facilities including reducing the number of entrances and exits depending on how big the airport is. Upon entering or exiting, you will have to scan the QR code with Thailand COVID tracking app - MorChana and walk through the temperature monitoring devices.
We have mainly been flying on Nok Air, Air Asia, and Vietjet Air thus far. A vaccination certificate is required for all domestic flights. Sometimes these are looked at carefully and sometimes it's just a cursory glance and it seemed we could have provided a take out menu from back home rather than our certificates. Online check in seems rare now because an in-person check of the vaccine certificate is required. On the plus side, it seems that the requirement to present a pre-printed boarding pass or have to pay a large fee on the discount airlines seems to no longer be common. So far, AirAsia, Nok and VietJet haven't charged us extra fees for airport counter check-in which is definitely different than their previous business model.
If a few days in Bangkok didn't seem real, being here feels like a dream.
While sitting on the hilltop resort, we kept asking ourselves, are we really here?
Since we just got to Thailand, the heat and the humidity was unbearable for me. Luckily, the Thais have built houses with the local climate in mind and we often find it very comfortable to be inside without air conditioning on. You have to admire our ancestors' wisdom on how they adapt to the environment.
Most traditional Thai houses are elevated to avoid flood water, with large overhanging eaves to keep out the sun and plenty of windows and sliding wall panels allow for smooth air flow throughout the house. Wood panels are used as it doesn't absorb the heat. The space in between the floor boards also lets the cool air in from underneath between the ground and the elevated floor. Traditionally in the south of Thailand, thatch is used as roofing material which allows hot air to escape.
A motor scooter is our favourite way to explore any new area in Asia. I rode scooters for years as a way commute in Taiwan, however, after years of being Canada, I've been rendered useless as a scooter driver. Fortunately, my partner has motorcycle license and is very comfortable riding in town or in the country side on a scooter.
Having a scooter provides a sense of freedom in that we can go to any spot without worrying about booking a tour. We also feel safer not cramping into a van with a group of strangers in this pandemic world. You do need to be very careful when renting to have a good machine, proper helmets, drive defensively, avoid alcohol, and minimize driving at night. The reality is that each year there are many tourists injured on scooters but risk can be reduced with some smart decisions.
