Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Me and twin, we took a weekend off and went to HCMC for "coffee".. well, that was the original objective.. until we got lost in bundles of beautiful scarves - duck, ariani, telekung SK etc.

Let me list down few tips from our trip:

1. From airport, can take taxi (Vinasun or Malinh), cost VND120,000 ~ RM24
Can take bus also, but i didn't check the price. You can see a short bus waiting outside the little airport.

2. Along Malaysia street, and in Ben Thanh market, RM is accepted. And in fact, cheaper rate using our money. So pls bring RM next time.

3. People here speak Malay language mostly. Even the little children selling souvenirs by the roadside

4. Never trust the trishaw man. He told us one trip cost "15 thousand".. but ehrn we arrived Saigon Mall (from Ben Thanh), he forced us to pay VND1,500,000!!!

5. Halal restaurant are easy to find, especially along Malaysia street.

That's all i can think of right now. I'll add if i came across more tips.

Day 2 Krabi

1) Oceanlife rehab and research center near Reiley beach club

2) Elephant jungle trekking

3) 1 hour travel by van to Morakot pond (Emerald pond). Very nice lunch at Marakot Restaurant (included in package).

1pm - 3.30pm Walk to Emerald pool (1,400m) via concrete trail. Blue pool is closed from May to Oct due to bird pairing.

4) 3.45pm leave sa Marakot, to Tiger cave. 4.30pm arrived tiger cave

5) Walking street Krabi (night market)

All about $$$ || Krabi edition

Airport trip (one way):
- Hotel charging THB700
- Local agents std price is THB150 for airport bus, THB500 for private van

National park fee:
- THB300/adult, THB100/child

Options for island tour:
- By speedboat (sharing, faster than longtail) or longtail boat (cheaper than speedboat, smaller capacity, open concept)
- Cost per person from THB350

There are several options for island tour. Those includes Hong island, 4 islands, PhiPhi (far), James Bond (very far)

Other attractions are Emerald lake, elephant trail, Krabi Walking Street, the famous night market down town, available Fri to Sun only.

Tuk tuk from Phu Pi Maan hotel (near masjid) to Ao Nang beach is around THB100/trip.

Motorbike rental is THB200/day.

Thai massage from THB200/1 hour (no oil)

Krabi tour || Day 1

So we took a tour via a friend (local Krabi-an who married a Malaysian). It's a two days tour for THB13,000

Our package includes Hong Island tour (Day 1), Emerald pool & elephant trail (Day 2) and Krabi walking street (weekend night market. It includes also transfer and pick up to/from hotel.

Day 1
8.15am Pick up at hotel to Krabi town/jetty. Register and pay National Park fee (this trip is inclusive).

9.00am Speedboat to islands starts now
- 1st checkpoint is Hong lagoon. Beautiful view from the boat. A unique formation of rocks/island where you can walk around during evening time (low tide)
-2nd checkpoint, ? Island. 40 mins stop for sunbathing, snorkeling and relaxing. Small beach with too many people. Not perfect, but ok. There's a small lagoon nearby with fewer people.
- 3rd checkpoint, ? Island. 30 mins break for same activity as the second pitstop. Nicer one with beautiful scenery and white beach.
- Final 2 hour pitstop at Hong island. We had box lunch here. Halal nasi goreng ayam and daging cincang. Kids had fun at the beach. There's a restaurant here, you can buy hot coffee or freshly blended smoothie. 600m jungle tracking trail is also available for trekkers.

2.30pm Head back to Krabi and arrived within 30 mins.

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No need to bring passport. They don't check at the registration desk

Bring little money. You might want to buy some food at Hong Island. A standard cup of coffee cost around THB80

Wear sunblock. It's very hot out here

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Hoping for coral or fish? Not here obviously. But the water was super clear.

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Day 2 tbc

Krabi trip

Been ages since I've updated my blog. We didn't travel much lately as Syasya is going to sit for her UPSR soon.

But for a quick break, we are now heading to Krabi, plus celebrating hubby's birthday.

Suggested itenary from a friend:

Day 1
- Pickup dari airport
- Melawat pantung Black crap (tanda Krabi) amik gmba kenangan
- Bawa sarapan pagi
- Hantar ke Hotel
Day 2
- Pickup dari hotel ke Hong island ( join tour speedboat)
- Enjoy your trip
- Lunch box d pulau
- Balik hotel relax
Day 3
- Pickup dari hotel ke Emerald Pool ( private van for your family )
- Lunch set menu at Ruang Morakot
- Visit at Tiger cave
- Elephant trekking 1 jam
- Visit jalan ke Krabi night market
- Bawa massage and spa **not include**
- Hantar balik ke Hotel
Day 4
- Pickup dari hotel hanta balik airport

Package like this cost THB15,000 (~RM1,800)

Quite costly huh.

So we didn't book anything just yet. Hoping for cheaper deal in Krabi itself.

Well, catch u in next post.

Note: Malaysia marked the biggest history last night #ge14 BN lost to Pakatan Harapan. Waiting for not-so-new PM to report duty. Chill..

Assalamualaikum