The island is 6,424acres and is mostly Muslim people. We road along the narrow roads (no cars on the island) through the villages and along the river which was a very pleasant ride. Our first stop we learnt about the local boat builders. This is not done so much in the island anymore but they do a lot of models. They are very big on dragon boat racing and the men pride themselves on being the champion. The boat builder we visited had many trophy's.
We also learnt about the birds you see everywhere in bamboo cages. These birds can be worth upto 100,000 baht so when you consider a scooter is worth 40,000 it is a lot of money. They get together nearly everyday in large groups and have a singing competition. The birds are trained to sing on command with a reward of banana and worms which they love. When they go out to visit friends they usually take their birds with them so they can socialize with other birds.
Our next stop we visited some women who were shelling crabs for the crab meat. Amazingly this did not stink as the crabs were very fresh. A very tedious job as they also sort the meat as the different meat brings a different price. We cycled down to the next village and here they make sarongs for the locals. They stencil the pattern on with wax then dob paint the pattern which is soaked up by the material within the wax boarder. When they have finished they boil to remove the wax. I had a go a painting which was nifty.
Next we road down along the water front where you could see Phi Phi Island to the local pier on the other side of the island. If you want to be picked up you wave a flag and a boat will come and get you from the mainland. As we new they way Noel lead us back to the original pier through the villages where we then stopped for and welcome cold drink and sampled the local donuts. They gave us iced tea which is same style as the Vietnamese coffee made with condensed milk and lots of ice but tea. Odd at first but I didn't mind it as it was not too sweet and very cold.
We got the boat back to the mainland and rode back to the car. Iced cold towels and cokes at the end before the drive back to the hotel. The bike trip was only 12km so not hard at all and the whole trip is on flat ground apart from a few bridges so anyone could do this trip who likes to cycle.
Headed straight to the room after collecting our key which the girls will give you once you ask for it in Thai. They giggle every time we try. Into the bathers and straight to the pool which was just fantastic after getting so hot and sweaty on the ride. Rob and Amanda joined us for a swim during which we got a tropical down pour. It came and went quickly and very soon it was back to blue sky.
Had some lunch before our complementary massage later this afternoon and a walk to drop,off the washing.
We went to the Lae Lay restaurant down the road from the hotel up on the hillside which has amazing views. I had the lobster and Rob and Amanda a seafood platter which was all very, very nice. Noel had a sizzling pepper beef dish which he said was also good. All this was consumed whilst watching the most amazing sunset.
Another great day in Krabi.
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