Krabi, Koh Lak, Thailand

Let’s Go Krabi…This hub was merely a gateway to our next adventure where we would put Jenn’s diving skills to some use in the Similan Islands. Since we have explored the Krabi area in our previous Thailand trip, no sites or activities were organized. We wanted a few days of relaxation, some good food and lots of sun. Unfortunately, the good weather turned on us and we ended up receiving buckets and buckets of rainfall. We were told that the monsoon season did not start for another few months, but this was obviously a conspiracy. The rain parted for only brief periods of time but the sun never quite made it out from behind the seemingly endless clouds, and before too long the rain would return with a vengeance. 

One day we were able to rent a scooter and explore the amazing emerald pool which was situated 50 km from our hotel in Ao Nang. The scooter provided a relaxing way to see some of the Thai landscape and be in control of our own transportation and a chance for me to be able to drive again!  We were of course caught in the rain more than once but luckily Jenn had her snorkelling mask which made it easier for me and slightly more interesting to look but we still managed to get lost but furthering our exploration of the area!

We’ve arranged for a bus to Khoa Lak where we will begin our seven day yacht and diving adventure.  We hope that the sun will be agreeable but that remains to be seen. 

Let’s Go Khoa Lak…  When we booked our plans for Khoa Lak weeks ago in Bangkok, we were so excited for what this week would bring.  7 days on a yacht- diving, snorkelling, sun tanning as much as we wanted in the Similan Islands which just happen to be one of the top ten places in the world to dive… but Mother Nature had other plans for us.

When we arrived at the diving centre where the speed boat was supposed to take us to the yacht we were told that the waves were much too high at the moment and that we’d be going out the next day instead.  Sadly this became a daily ritual.  Each day we would wake up with anticipation, thinking that today would be the day that we would finally be able to leave only to be told otherwise.  Instead we would spend the day in our hotel room- as the torrential downpours wouldn’t even give way enough for us to do anything- playing dice games, reading books and drinking amaretto or whatever else we fancied.

After 3 days of waiting, we headed to the dive shop to talk to the guys and see what our chances were of getting out at all.  We were told that Koh Toa had been hit with a major storm and very large waves and that the island where we had been only days before was severely damaged with many businesses being washed away.  A boat had sunk with 18 people on board after being hit with 5 meter- high waves, luckily they were all rescued by the Thai Marines, and all of our dive shops boats were stuck between islands trying to wait out the storm.  It was not looking good for us and to be honest the idea of being out on the water was not a welcomed one.  After waiting one more day we decided that it was not meant to be and since the weather was still not letting up we decided to chase the sun rather than wait it out any longer.

The staff at the dive shop (www.khoalakscubaadventures.com) were absolutely amazing- they gave us all our money back and even managed to get us our initial non-refundable deposit from the travel agency in Bangkok- something that is unheard of in Thailand.  They paid for massages for their customers that were patiently waiting and did absolutely everything possible to ensure everyone was taken care of and happy.  We were so pleased with how they ran their business we picked up a 12 pack of beers for them as we headed out for sunnier skies.  We hope to be able to return and take in the Similan Islands before the end of our journey and we will most definitely book in with the same company.  Thanks Stephen and all the staff for making the best of a poor situation! We are out of here.....