Krabi magazine March 2011

www.krabi-magazine.com

March 2011

ISSUE 63

7 ISLAND SUNSET TOUR •TRAVEL•CULTURE•AO NANG•LANTA•LEISURE•NATURE•

Editorial

Welcome to Krabi March 2011– ISSUE 63 EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Thomas Gennaro krabimagazine@gmail.com 089 9085990 ART GROUP Creative Director: Nattapat Sunthonphuriwat [Ton®] tonidesign@gmail.com - 089 7727858 Graphic Designers: Bandit Kanjanavarodom [Lim] CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Thomas Gennaro – Nattapat Sunthonphuriwat Lim Zenith - Roberto Spezzani - Robby Attwater Ton Company – The Lanta Retreat Stefano Gonella - Mellisa Bunyan DISTRIBUTION AO NANG - KRABI - PHUKET Newspaperdirect Krabi: 075 637459 DISTRIBUTION KOH LANTA - KOH PHI PHI Roberto Spezzani: 082 8005269 PHUKET - KOH SAMUI - BANGKOK Guava Corporations: 089 9085990

KitDee Media & Design Company Limited 247/13 Moo 5, Ao Nang, Krabi 81000 Tel: 075 661144 - 075 637459 - Fax: 075 637460 E-mail: krabimagazine@gmail.com www.facebook.com/krabimagazine

Krabi Magazine is published and produced by KitDee Media & Design Company Limited and is protected by Copyright. No parts of this publication can be used or reproduced in any form – printed, electronic, photocopy or otherwise – without the written permission of the publishers. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish adverts, texts or advertising features. Advertising terms and conditions are to be obtained at krabimagazine@gmail.com Please send submissions to krabimagazine@gmail.com DISCLAIMER While great care has been taken in the receipt and handling of material, production and accuracy in this magazine, the publisher will not accept any responsibility for any errors, loss or omissions which may occur. The information and stories published are those of the writers and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the editor. The description of properties, the contents, whereabouts and price are given in this magazine as a guide only. Please request further details from the advertiser and seek legal advice before entering into any contract to purchase. All information and prices were correct at the time of going to press.

K

rabi Province is considered to be one of the most beautiful regions in a beautiful country.

Krabi has it all, from the limestone karsts that characterize the region to world-class beaches, islands, temples, markets, nightlife and shopping, the list is seemingly endless.

Gastronomes will find Krabi a sanctuary of fine dining and lovers of the great outdoors will find plenty to keep them occupied - waterfalls, hot springs, national parks, elephant treks are all on offer and Krabi is also one of the world’s premier destinations for rock climbing and scuba diving. The coral reefs of the Andaman Sea are among the world’s best and the Railay Peninsula attracts climbers from all over the world.

March is one of our favourite months in Krabi: the tropical climate that characterizes this month is ideal for embarking on novel adventures, activities, and some relaxing and unwinding as well. Sea is still the master. Our team ventured out on a fantastic 7 islands trip out of Ao Nang with eclectic Captain Yum Yum; we went on a brand new kayak trip, a spectacular leisure option available to visitors all year round; we enjoyed an original sailing day out in Koh Phi Phi with plenty of adventure thrown in. Also in this issue, Krabi Magazine checked out Koh Jum Villas eco resort, watched Muay Thai fighters at Ao Nang Stadium, visited pleasant Wat Bang Rian temple, and sweated it up at Marina Yoga with a Pilates class.

Our men in Koh Lanta tell us stories of a boat trip to Koh Mook on a unique wooden boat, got acquainted with the results of 2011 Andaman Freediving Competition, had a yummy meal at The Houben’s signature restaurant Red Alert, and listened to The Retreat tips to a new lifestyle. If you are after a property in Krabi, there is so much to read in our real estate section: veteran Ton Company is changing office; the quality and features of granite; an intelligent way to furnish small spaces; and tips from Exotiq agents to find and secure your distant property in the tropics.

Our ever-popular magazine is being successfully distributed all over Thailand in most Asia Books/Bookazine stores, including at the airports, and Krabi is being given the attention it deserves. This will help tourists plan their trip to our province in advance, it will make Krabi an interesting option for potential visitors to the area, and it will give our sponsors a much wider exposure.

It does not end there! Watch out for our extremely popular Krabi 81000 Miniguides that are massively available to visitors to Krabi and Islands, complementing the magazine and helping you with your search for the best eats, nightlife, activities, boats and buses timetables, doctors and banks, events; an endless array of information to make your stay reasonably organized from Kitdee Media & Design. Find the above products in your hotel lounge, in restaurants and pubs, at airports and boat piers or in your favourite local travel agency. Browse them avidly and make use of our local expertise. Look out for our logos, and BEWARE OF IMITATIONS! We hope you find Krabi Magazine inspirational and helpful whether you come to Krabi to eat, drink and relax on the beach or participate in any of the numerous activities on offer here in Thailand. And if you are not in Krabi yet, what are you waiting for? Enjoy the magazine, enjoy our printed products, and above all enjoy your holiday in Krabi!

Thomas Gennaro Executive Editor 7 Island Sunset Tour

Cover picture courtesy of: ton®

CONTENTS

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March 2011, issue 63

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A Window on Krabi

9

Cover Story

14

Day Tripper

18

Sport

20

Where to Stay

23

Highlights of this amazing province: town to temples, beaches to Islands, natural hotspots to cultural places.

Follow us on a bioluminescent spectacular tour; a different day out and an unforgettable experience near the eclectic Captain Yum Yum.

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Exploring a new kayak destination Sai Tai, an area home to rich fauna and flora and towering karst mountain complexes that create caves and canyons. A paddler’s paradise.

One warm Friday evening I took my visiting friend and his son to Ao Nang Boxing Stadium, where each Tuesday and Friday night Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, takes place.

Koh Jum Villas: an Eco village for luxurious island living in a spirit of caring for the ecology and the community.

www.amari.com

loves your indulgences

Dive into new sensations at Amari Vogue Krabi. The soothing touch of Thai massage and captivating floral aromas of Sivara Spa. The crisp taste of a wood-fired pizza enjoyed by the beach or the zest of an authentic curry in one of our three signature restaurants and bars. Toast the sunset with a fresh tropical cocktail or unwind to a massage set to the soundtrack of Andaman waves. Whatever your choice, we invite you to find new ways to tantalise your senses at Amari Vogue, inspired by the beauty of Krabi.

For more information contact +66 (0) 7560 7777 Bangkok | Chiang Mai | Pattaya | Koh Chang | Koh Samui | Phuket | Krabi

The longtail boat is truly a place where price comes together with quality of food and service. The Real Thai taste is the main character here. They serve an array of Thai appetizers, chicken satay, mixed seafood fritter plate, Thai main dishes and famous banana fritters with ice-cream by the long tail boat style. To complete the meal there is a selective range of wines, cocktails and other beverage at the bar.

The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed with two options: at the chic tables outdoor, or at the upstairs bar. Both locations have great views out over the Andaman Sea. Open daily From 10:00 to 16:00 pm. Special Lunch menu with free sun bed in front of the sea, fine dining till 23:00 pm.

Soi Aonang Seafood

Police Box

50 metre

Boat Ticket

Aonang Beach

Aonang Center

Boat Ticket

for reservations please call +66 (0)75 638093, +66 (0)81 0915590

32/17 Moo 2 Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi 81000 e-mail: thelongtailboat@gmail.com

CONTENTS

March 2011, issue 63

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At Sea

27

Literary Corner

29

Wellness

30

Destination

32

Restaurant Review

35

Koh Lanta

38

On a sailing cruise around Koh Phi Phi Islands with plenty of activities and fun in company of Captain Bob!

Enjoy poems from Nawattaphume International School, Ao Nang, year six and year seven students.

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Pilates is a form of exercise which focuses on the core strength but at the same time trains the whole body, making it stronger, more flexible and controlled.Â

The visit to the awe-inspiring hilltop temple of Wat Bang Riang is a great way to spend the day, and a must-see of your visit to Krabi.

La Panza: a cosy place in Krabi Town with the real Italian flair and taste.

Get the most out of Koh Lanta. Highlights, maps, reviews and articles:

Koh Lanta Highlights: Lanta Features Out at Sea: A Trip to Trang with Didier Wooden Boat

Diving: Andaman Freediving Competition

2011

Eating Review: Red Alert @ The Houben Health & Living: A New Lifestyle

52

Real Estate

52

Purchasing and making real estate investments made simple with Krabi Magazine.

Architect Tips: Ton Company on the Move Construction: Granite Showcased: Studio Apartments Property Search: Distant Real Estate Properties

Directory

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Media Kit and Businesses listed in the Krabi Magazine

Aning Restaurant Thai & International Cuisine

High quality fresh seafood Choise of 12 different cuts of steak Thai food Pizza & Pastas Selected wines Our speciality: Cheese platter Homemade selection of our delicious desserts Gin Long Drink Cider Finnish, Swedish and English menu Daily Finnish and Swedish newspapers Aning Restaurant has become the most renowned and well established restaurant in Ao Nang

The FIRST and ONLY one, a true original Mexican Music Bar & Tex-Mex Restaurant in Ao Nang !

and original Our menu has tasty Eur opean dishes and hes dis ican Mex spapers new h edis Sw and nish Fin d rea to le availab

Map

upstairs.

@ CRAZY GRINGO'S BAR

BIGGEST AND COOLEST MUSICBAR IN AO NANG LIVE DJ MUSIC DANCE FLOOR POOLPARTY

Tex Mex World Co., Ltd.

Aning 7-eleven Ao Nang Beach

Walking Street

423/12 Moo 2, Ao Nang, Muang District Krabi 81000 +66 (0)75 695 176 aningrestaurant@hotmail.com

A window on Krabi

THE BEACHES Ao Nang, at 20km from Krabi Town, is the most developed of Krabi’s beaches, a long stretch of white sandy beach with limestone mountains as a backdrop. It has a wide range of accommodation and services and the main shopping street features restaurants, bars, pubs, souvenir shops, dive centers and tour agencies, massage centers and spas. This is the hub from which to plan your trip at sea and to the nearby islands on a typical longtail boat.

Noppharat Thara beach, just around the corner from Ao Nang, is 3km long yet still undeveloped, with only a few resorts and bars.

Attractive because of its natural setting, this is where local youngsters and families gather at sunset and at weekends. Savour some local Muslim snacks at the beach stalls, or fill yourself with seafood in the local restaurants at the very end of the beach, near the Noppharat Thara National Park headquarters. At low tide, walk out together with millions of small crabs on the sandy pathways to the small islands near the beach.

Railay beaches are split and separated from Krabi and Ao Nang by monumental limestone mountains. Railay has two sides, east and west, and its settings are simply marvelous: crystal clear waters, pure sandy beaches, lush mountains, rocky islands emerging from the sea. Railay can only be reached by boat, a 15 minutes ride from Ao Nang or 30 minutes from Krabi Town. Enjoy a cocktail in one of the beach bars, visit the Phranang Cave, challenge yourself on a rock climbing course, hike the limestone massif to a lagoon and a viewpoint, or simply chill out. Neighbouring Tonsai lies at the base of a cliff which divides it form Railay West. Tonsai has a shallow beach with slow gradients out to sea which is profoundly affected by the tide.

Klong Muang beach is a further 20km away from Ao Nang; it is the up-market side of Krabi, the place to be if you are after a peaceful holiday. Catering to families and couples, it is here that you really get the so deserved repose, surrounded by pristine nature.

Tubkaek beach is another real place to hide away; long, clean and peaceful, the area has breathtaking views over Koh Hong islands archipelago, and charming sunsets. From there you can venture inside the National Park and try a walking trail to a viewpoint and a waterfall.

Koh Lanta beaches have a wide selection of resorts for all tastes and pockets. Lanta Yai island has long stretches of gleaming white sandy beaches and shallow emerald waters. Lined with tropical vegetation, a private spot is never more than a short walk away on a southern beach at Lanta Yai.

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NATURAL HOTSPOTS Limestone mountains or karsts, characterize most of the inland Krabi area, the most spectacular being the massifs of Sai Tai. Susaan Hoi is a 40 million year-old seashell cemetery; once a large swamp where freshwater crustaceans proliferated, today home to 40 centimeter thick, shell encrusted limestone slabs, a geological uniqueness not far from Ao Nang. One must find a broken edge to see the shells clearly, since all of those on the upper surface have been walked on and worn down by the elements and are hard to identify.

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, at 20km from Krabi Town, comprises waterfalls, streams, lush forests and caves. It is home to all kind of flora and wildlife and to the highest mountain in the region from which it takes the name. One of the features of the park is Huay Toh Waterfall where water runs down onto several huge pools.

Tarnbok Khoranee National Park, in the north of the region, consists of limestone mountains, verdant tropical forest, caves and beautiful islands. It is well-known for its different species of trees growing around a large natural crystal clear pool, and for the hundreds of birds’ species.

Phi Hua Toh Cave, in the nearby Bor Thor area, surrounded by mangrove swamps and reachable by boat or kayak, is where to see pre-historic rock paintings depicting animals and humans.

Sa Morakot, the Emerald Pool, is a natural wonder: a pond of turquoise water with an average temperature of 30-40C, fed by a hot spring in the middle of the jungle.

Hot Springs of Klong Thom, natural Jacuzzis in which to lift away tensions and relieve body and mind with the mineralenriched waters falling into rocky ponds.

THE CULTURE Ban Natin, on the way from Ao Nang to Klong Muang, is the place to experience the peaceful lifestyle of the local Muslim community. Home accommodation is available, or you can simply make a stopover and see the production of handmade products such as batik paintings, pineapple-fiber paper and coconut shell carving.

Wat Klong Thom Museum features various kinds of beads, stone tools, and stone and earthen ornaments in animal shapes of approximately 5,000 years old, uncovered during archeological excavations.

Fire dancing, part of the beach culture, is a popular evening activity on the beaches of Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi, performed by acrobatic boys who swing burning torches around their bodies, creating sparkling artistic pictures.

Ban Sang-Ka-U is a sea gypsy’s settlement in south-east Lanta Yai. It is there that an old clan of traditional Chao Ley try to preserve a disappearing way of life in this fast-developing island.

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THE ISLANDS

Hop on or hire a longtail, the local wooden boats with their picturesque prows. Sail away to Koh Poda, surrounded by turquoise waters, or to Koh Kai, shaped as a chicken and therefore called the Chicken Island, from where a walk on a sandy pathway connects it to Koh Tub. Make a longtail boat or speedboat trip to the Koh Hong archipelago, a group of limestone islands with hidden caves and lagoons perfect for kayaking or snorkeling. Join an organized tour to amazing Koh Phi Phi islands, full of marvelous bays, limestone cliffs, waters rich in marine life, caves where swallow nests are harvested, and much more. Visit Koh Jum and Koh Siboya, small, unspoiled tropical hide-away that have a unique atmosphere. These islands give visitors the time to relax and re-charge their batteries. Or venture out on Koh Lanta, the developing island at the southern end of the province home to sea gypsies communities, where you will meet nature and tradition. A National Park area that comprises many different islands surrounded by coral reefs, such as Koh Ngai and remote Koh Rok.

THE TOWN Small, charming, silent at times, nice for a day’s walking tour. Krabi Town is full of old buildings, bars and restaurants, local exotic marketplaces and food stalls at the old Chao Fa pier where to sample the local food. The Krabi motto is: “lively town, lovely people”; Krabi’s simple people are definitely proud of their town and of their warm and generous character.

Hop on a longtail boat at Chao Fa pier and visit Khao Kanab Nam, the unique pair of hills facing each other on the opposite banks of the Krabi River, symbols of the town; or embark on a journey to Koh Klang, an island next to town on the mouth of the river, where you will experience lives lived by the local fishing communities; or charter a boatman for a visit to the mangrove backwaters.

THE TEMPLE Located just 9 km from Krabi Town the Wat Tham Seua, or Tiger Cave Monastery, is one of south Thailand’s most famous and interesting forest temples, as the monks live, meditate and worship within a maze of natural caves in an overgrown jungle valley.

Many Thai women live out their oldage there as nuns. Explore the inner cave used by monks for meditation.

Climb the 1,237 steps up a limestone tower to see the statue of the Buddha and the “footprint of the Buddha” embedded in the rock, and to enjoy one of the best viewpoints of the area. Take the circular walk through Krabi’s rarest of all features, a pocket of primary lowland forest, a circular rocky basin enclosed by high cliffs.

Here, along a pathway used by monks to meditate and amongst a number of magnificent trees you can be amazed in front of the largest flared root base of any tree remaining in Thailand.

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OPEN ALL YEAR

Cover Story

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Krabi Magazine

Text by : Roberto Spezzani l Photos by: Natt & Lim Zenith

7 Island Sunset Tour

A bioluminescent spectacular tour; a different day out; an unforgettable experience with the eclectic Captain Yum Yum

S

outh African Emil, AKA Captain Yum Yum, arrived in Thailand 9 years ago together with his charisma and boat building experience. Blond, Rasta and with a big round earring on the left lobe, Emil is such a nice and affable man. In this tour he is practically everything you can think of: the sailor, the captain, the ship boy, the chef and the entertainer. With him, fun is guaranteed and there are also a few surprises behind the corner…

Let’s talk about the tour. We met at Ao Nang beach after midday - the tour leaves late on purpose, when all the other day trippers and boats are on the way back – we got to know our fellow travelers and socialized with the staff. Lee is a young chap who takes care of entertainment and helps out Emil; he is a fire juggler, and one of the best in the area. Two more Thai guys with dreadlocks complete the team. We boarded a solid-looking longtail traditional boat and after a few minutes of navigation we left behind the black clouds on the coastline and enjoyed a scorching sun that would accompany us during the whole trip. Captain Yum Yum and Lee told us the program of the day, which includes dinner on a stretch of sand at sunset time.

The boat flanked the coastline of Koh Poda and reached a hidden bay where we took the first swim and passengers familiarized with snorkel sets and fins. We were alone in the bay; at the entrance of the inlet, the longtail was anchored on the beach and we were released to the shore. The fish in the water were so colourful and corals of various type and shape (purple corals, sponge corals, stag horns, etc) enriched the sea floor and mixed perfectly with the azure waters of the Andaman Sea During the next stretch of navigation we crossed a blue expanse to reach a group of rocks protruding from the sea: Koh See. If we thought fish were abundant in the previous bay, we needed to marvel at the quantity and variety we encountered at this snorkeling hotspot; an unforgettable experience. This area is popular with visitors that enjoy a clear crystal sea, offering good snorkelling with an abundance of tropical fish and a multitude of hues. It is quite a feeling standing with your feet firmly on solid ground while enjoying the view of fish swimming near the shore. Captain Yum Yum invited us to hold a banana into our mouth and submerge it in the water so the fish can come up to our face and munch from the fruit. Aggressively I must say, but in a funny way. They later told us that black tip sharks, box fish and barracudas can be seen on this trip, but we were not so lucky this time, I guess. It took the team some time to get all out of the water, this place is such a marvel people just want to stay longer in the water, and longer… and longer…

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We then sailed back towards Koh Poda and the boat stopped in front of the entrance of a sea cave. We wore the snorkel set and followed Lee for a great adventure, crossing the sea cave swimming. The cave became pitch dark in its middle, with the water getting darker too due to the lack of solar radiation. We came out on the other side of the rocky island after a demanding swim, only to find the sea floor was much deeper than on the other side.

We dread the idea to have to swim back, so our guide Lee dived nonchalantly back from where we came from to prompt the boat crew to pick us up. When Captain Yum Yum reached us and we boarded the longtail, we were submerged with questions from those who did not take part to the experience. Great stuff, was my reply. Not to be missed!

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As the sun started to set and the number of swims increased, so did the hunger.

We stopped for dinner in Koh Tub, part of a 3 islands (with Koh Gai and Koh Mor) sandwiched between Koh Gai and Koh Poda. They are linked by a sandbar, Taleh Wae, that can only be used when the tide is low. It is there that, while we enjoyed the sunset in total relaxation, playing frisbee and watching the sun set and colour the sky with a palette of pinks and greys, that Captain Yum Yum, helped by his crew, prepared a Massaman Curry with fresh ingredients and huge prawns. The lovely smell started to fill the air. We looked up in the sky to see a huge flock of giant bats emerging from their day sleep from a high cave of a nearby island and dotting the sky in their search for preys. The amazing nature left us speechless. The crew dug small holes in the sand and filled them with burning candles, and bottles of Thai wine were uncorked and distributed amongst tourists along with beers and any sort of drinks. By the time dinner was ready, the sky had turned dark. The rice and Massaman treat tasted so good that most of us took a second helping. “The secret is to cook in abundance” – Captain Yum Yum confided. “This Massaman is for 40 people; we are just over 20, but you can rest assured that there will not be any left”. With belly full, all compliments were to the chef for the great job. Lee regaled us with one of his amazing fire shows, drawing luminous shapes in the air that were appreciated by all, kids and adults. We helped out to collect dishes and mats, and returned to the boat.

But the tour was indeed not over yet. “You still have to experience swimming with light” - told us Yum Yum. He was talking about the bioluminescence swim that this tour is popular for. We approached the vicinity of a huge rock boulder in between Ao Nang and Railay shores, we wore the fins and jumped in the pitch-dark waters, which became darker as we approached the rock. As this happened, something else caught out attention. A myriad of little stars emanated from our bodies as we moved them during the swim, engulfing us. I had never seen anything similar. The light effect is caused by the bioluminescent plankton that lights up when disturbed; it intensified as our strokes became more vigorous, giving the impression to be swimming in light. Nice stuff!

Back to Ao Nang at 9pm, tired but happy, we thanked Captain Yum Yum and his crew for the original tour, surely an adventure we will not hesitate to recommend for its originality and the affordability of it. I am considering bringing my guitar next time, to sing at sunset time the freedom and happiness this tour brings up in me…

THE 7 ISLAND EXPERIENCE Departs daily from Ao Nang, Tonsay and Railay. They cater for vegetarians on request. Private tours available. Wedding and sailing trips available. Contact them on 087 4691698.

Ao ThalaneTrips

Hong Island Trips

Bo Thor Trips

A PADDLER’S PARADISE www.seakayak-krabi.com Email: marketing@seakayak-krabi.com Email: seakayak_krabi@yahoo.com seakayak krabi@yahoo.com

Mangrove Forest, Bay & Canyon Half Day • Full Day

Kayaking & Snorkeling Full Day

Special Trips • Ao Thalane & Hong Island • Full Day

Kayaking & Swimming Half Day • Full Day

40 Maharat Soi 2, Muang, Krabi 81000 Tel: +66 0 7563 0270, +66 0 7563 0115 Fax: 0 7563 0116 Mobile: 08 9724 8579

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Day Tripper

Story by : Thomas Gennaro l Photos by: Nattaphat Sunthornphuriwat

Sweat it up in Sai Tai

Kayaking in Krabi is without any doubt a popular tourist activity; with the bright sun that constantly hits smooth waters and pristine bays flanked by limestone cliffs, it conjures up all kind of beautiful images.

K

ayaking is a sector that has seen, in recent years, the uncontrolled birth of so many companies offering their services to some of the best waters in the region: the maze of canals fringed by mangrove forests that characterize the estuary of the Krabi river; the magnificent sightseeing of Ao Thalane bay, in the north of the province; and Bor Thor, where to reach secluded caves in which to discover ancient mural pictorials.

It was with great pleasure that I welcomed a new kayak destination last month, offered by elephant experts and nature lovers Nosey Parkers Tours. This tour is indeed convenient thanks to the easy-to-reach location where the kayaking trip starts: Sai Tai, a village located in between Krabi Town and the tourist hub of Ao Nang, an area home to rich fauna and flora and towering karst mountain complexes that create caves and canyons. A paddler’s paradise.

We made our way to the starting point, taking a small dirt road off the main road not far from Sai Tai temple with its reclining Buddha. There is a small vinyl sign on the sure of the road tough it is not that obvious and you need to pay attention not to miss it. Baan Sai Tai Canoeing office is a wooden house on the fringe of a river branch. At our arrival we were offered water, dry bags and life jackets, as well as a briefing on the area and what to expect on the tour. We learned that the river forks at some point, with one branch heading towards the Laem Po area of Ao Nam Mao, and the other reaching Krabi Town. There is the chance to paddle for 5 or more km in this maze of canals and small rivers.

We boarded our two-seater kayaks, grabbed the paddles and started the trip downriver. The many high limestone rocks around us provided shadowed areas and cool spots. We were a numerous group and the guides accompanying us explained about the mangrove environment and identified birds and other wildlife we encountered on the way. We had taken the short half-day program, consisting of 3 hours of paddling, and yet we had the chance to visit the inside of an island karst, where an ancient cave dwelling complete of cave paintings on the wall awaited us. A musky scent permeated the air, a high number of ancient hanging stalactites and stalagmites crossed our path: they had the most eerie and gothic shapes. We climbed on to reach the north entrance, from which we were rewarded with a splendid view of the mangroves, the limestone rocks and the watercourses below. From there, the open sea is just 3 kilometers away.

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It was time to head back. Off we were again for the last paddling efforts of the day. We navigated upriver, soaring limestone rock formations were all around us; the greens and the blues were contrasted only by our colorful and kayaks.

Back to the headquarters, Nosey Parkers Tours’ staff took care of collecting rows and of washing and storing the kayaks. It was not my first experience at this sport, which I find fun and comprehensive, being a sporty guy and a nature lover. It is indeed a sport for any age group, and tourist paddlers in Krabi range from very small children to aged pensioners, all willing to try, like we did, the thrill of kayaking.

NOSEY PARKERS TOURS Nosey Parkers Tours include transfer from and to the hotel, a life jacket, food and drinking water, experienced guides, a dry bag, life jacket and, of course, the kayak. All tours are fully insured; the staff is local, has a deep knowledge of the area and of the tides, and takes safety seriously. You can book their tours at the reception of your hotel, or make your way to Sai Tai. Half-Day tours (2-3 hours) cost 600thb for adults and 400thb for kids (4-11 years).

Full-Day tours (5-6 hours) cost 1,200thb for adults and 800thb for kids (4-11 years), and have an additional journey deeper into the tranquil mangrove forest to visit a large island karst with spectacular formations and overhangs.

They also have a Full-Day Kayaking and Elephant Riding that include an elephant trek through beautiful surroundings with tiem to enjoy a refreshing swim in a cool stream. Price is 1,600thb for adults, and 1,000thb for kids (4-11 years).

Starting times might change according to tides.

It is recommended you bring a hat, sunscreen lotion and insect repellent.

Nosey Parkers Tours Krabi Town: 21/1 Krabi Road, Muang, Krabi 81000 Thailand Phone & Fax: 075.621.157 Elephant Camp: 075.644.349 Mobile: 089 2910964, 087 8840394 (Mr Sak) Contact person: Mr. Cornstalk E-mail: info@noseyparkerselephantcamp.com

KAYAKING A sea kayak is a seaworthy nimble craft with which to reach places larger boats cannot even attempt. Nosey Parkers use sit-on-top plastic kayaks from which it is nearly impossible to capsize, and they are great for beginners: comfortable, easy to get in and out of it, they make the perfect platform for photography, fishing and a lot of other activities. Non-swimmers should not worry: sit-ontop kayaks tend to be very stable even in adverse weather conditions. At least you will not be expected to learn techniques on how to get out of your kayak with your head inside the water. Paddling does not require a high fitness level: hitting the water with regular strokes with a double-blade paddle requires a minimal technique, a rotation of the wrist at every left-right alternation so that the blades strike the water properly, propelling the vehicle forward.

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Sport

Story by : Thomas Gennaro l Photos by: Lim Zenith & tonÂŽ

Watch them fighting

One warm Friday evening I took my visiting friend and his son to Ao Nang Boxing Stadium, where each Tuesday and Friday night Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, takes place.

M

y friends knew very little about Thai Boxing. We agreed that fighting sports are not our preferred choice of entertainment, but I was confident that my friends would have enjoyed Muay Thai, as it is not a conventional fight but a way of life and a traditional symbol of Thailand. Would Spain be the same without corridas? How about England or Italy without football?

Could the world or Thai people imagine Thailand without Thai boxing? My friends were about to discover it.

We arrived at the stadium, conveniently located near the beach at Noppharat Thara, at about 8pm and after a drink in the outside restaurant and a visit to the nearby shop that sells Muay Thai shirts, shorts, gloves and trophies, we made our way inside.

There is an area high above the arena and the ring, where standard seats are located, and a lower area near the ringside with lines of comphy black leather sofas.

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Krabi Magazine

As we were special guests, we were allowed by the event’s promoter to visit the offstage where the Muay Thai fighters, with their respective teams, were getting ready for the fighting matches. A few young Thai boxing athletes were lying on berths, wearing nothing more than their underwear, while their managers applied tiger balm to their muscular and athletic bodies, and bandaged wrists and fists. The spacious room was overwhelmed by the smell of the menthol and eucalyptus gel, and by the noise of vibrant hands massaging and rubbing. More athletes of even younger ages were slowly arriving. The atmosphere was getting thicker and thicker with powerful vibrations.

Back to the arena, the seats were quickly being filled with a mix of Thais and foreign tourists. Foreigners were drinking canned beers while most of the locals drank Krating Deng, the original Thai version of the world famous drink Red Bull. It was around 8:45pm when the English-speaking commentator gave a brief introduction to the evening matches, which were 9 that evening. There were 4 judges, one per side of the ring, and one referee awaiting the first fight.

At 9pm, the official starting time, the first two kids made their entrance with the Thai national anthem playing and all audience standing, after which the official ceremony started. The fighters wore a traditional Mong Kon headband, considered to be magic, and an armband of colored material; they performed an enchanting ritual charged with a captivating spirit. They started by walking slowly around the ring in an anticlockwise direction, paying respect to each of the four corners. Their hands joined together and assumed the classic wai position; with their eyes closed and their heads slightly lowered, they seemed completely absorbed in deep meditation. These prematch rituals are called Ram Muay and have a spiritual meaning: it is how the boxers pay respect to their trainers. All programmed matches for the evening started in the same style, though each of the pre-match rituals slightly differed from one another.

OUR SERVICES IN SOUTHERN THAILAND Tailor-Made Holidays Property Investments Corporate Incentives As in boxing fashion, the two assisting teams occupied the outside diagonal corners of the ring, and at the end of the pre-match rituals, the fighting started. During the 5 rounds every fight lasts, the fighters displayed sophisticated fighting techniques making use of different parts of their bodies. While most foreigners watched the matches in silence and awe, on the right of the ring an excited group of Thai supporters cheered up fighters, shouting and inciting their favourite fighter in the peak moments of the combats. Fights ranged from young boys of 30 to 40kg, to older and expert fighters of up to 66 kg. As the weight of the fighters increased, so did the technique of the fight and the quantity and quality of the fight.

Scandinavian Management

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Many Thais say that if foreigners want to experience the real pulse of Thailand, they have to attend a Muay Thai fight. My friend and I may disagree with this statement, yet if you have never attended a Muay Thai event I assure you a Thai Boxing evening will entertain you and add up to your book of memories from the Land of Smiles.

M

Y

CM

MY

MUAY THAI

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CMY

Muay Thai is a sophisticated fighting art and part of Thailand national heritage, a tradition enriched with ceremony, meanings and history. A Thai boxer’s first fight takes place at around age eight, though the actual intensive training begins at age six or seven. I have learned that the main glory for a Muay Thai fighter is to fight in the legendary Bangkok stadiums, Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen, glory obtained only by few fighters. Millions of Thai fans watch these thrilling fights on television every week.

K

www.krabi-spesialisten.com

Wedding in Thailand

AO NANG KRABI BOXING STADIUM Muay Thai events are on every Tuesday and Friday night at Ao Nang Krabi Stadium in Noppharat Thara and regularly at the Koh Lanta Stadium. Both Ao Nang and Koh Lanta have a training camps open to foreigners. If you would like to see this astonishing sport live, these are the places to go to in the Krabi Province. Note that, however spectacular these matches are, they are not staged. They are real fights, regularly attended by local Thai fans, and the same is true of the complex dance ceremony performed before each fight. The only concession to tourism is the price tag: tickets for foreigners are 800 for a standard arena seat, and 1,200thb for sofas positioned on the lower area near the ringside. For this you will see up to 10 fights. Tickets to be purchased at box office neastadium.

Free pick up from Ao Nang areas. Phone 075 621042, 081 6062888, 083 2802968

For enquiries check on

www.wedding-in-thailand.com

or contact +66 (0) 75 638 097-8, + 66 (0) 819797895 info@wedding-in-thailand.com info@krabi-spesialisten.com

All Padi courses

From discover scuba diving / open water to dive master by

Koh Jum

PADI DIVING CENTER Learn to Dive, Snorkeling Kids Adventure, CertiďŹ ed Divers Island Tours

BEACH VILLAS

Discover the pristine beauty of the Andaman Sea with our boats

For more information, contact: 320/28 Moo 3, T. Koh Sriboya, Nua Klong, Krabi 81130 Phone 089 588 9055 E-mail: diving@kohjumbeachvillas.com www.kohjumbeachvillas.com

Text and Photos : Roberto Spezzani

Where to Stay

Koh Jum Villas An Eco village for luxurious island living in a spirit of caring for the ecology and the community

I

t all started in 2006 when Ken Seibt vision of a private paradise on the Krabi island of Koh Jum, called Koh Jum Villas, became reality. Ken is today well known and respected by all Koh Jum’s inhabitants as his enterprise employ several local people who have seen destruction in the 2004 tsunami. Koh Jum Villas project has created a sustainable business for local families: the resort’s restaurant is managed by a local family that benefits from the profit that derives from it. The staff comprises 24 Thais and 2 foreigners: receptionist Sev and manager Chris.

Koh Jum Villas also provides work for 60 Thai workers: bricklayers, carpenters, gardeners, etc.

Hidden amongst the amazing plants that adorn the 40 rai (64.000 sqm) of tropical gardens, 3 new villas and the diving center building (Ken also manages a diving center) are being built. “There are 10 villas already completed, including mine” - Ken tells me. “I plan to complete the project in another 5 years. We still have a few plots available in the southern part of the project, and potential clients abound. It is often those who rent the villas for their holiday who fall in love with the place and end up buying a villa here”.

I ask Ken who are the buyers. “Most of them come from Northern Europe or Canada and the United States, but all have a common denominator: they look for peace and nature and are sensible to eco-sustainability. The island has had electricity for only a year and half; before we did without it. Today we are sensitive to everything if it helps to live with respect for nature. A few examples: we have differentiated rubbish collection, the use of plastic is forbidden in the whole project, the soap and shampoo we provide to the villas are from hand-made natural products we purchase in Chiang Mai, all villas are on a low energetic consumption and are designed to have a continuous recycle of air, which eliminates the need of air-conditioning” – explains proudly Ken. “You can find all these info in details and more n our website www.kohjumbeachvillas. com, where we explain all our choices”.

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We are many to dream to awake every day in a stunning villa by a beach on a tropical island in the Andaman Sea. For the whole life, or perhaps just for a holiday. It is here in Koh Jum that that dream becomes reality. Ken’s hospitality has been great on the day of my birthday, a birthday celebrated in a tropical earthly paradise.

to Krabi Town

4036

Had Yao

This is a rare opportunity for the investor who treasures low-density beach living amidst fragrant native flora and fauna. All lots boast west-facing views of the crystal Andaman Sea - perfect for savouring sunsets.

Laem Hin

Ban Klong Toh Ban Koh Siboya

Koh Siboya

Koh Jum

Ban Sai Tok Laem Kruat

Koh Hang Ban Koh Pu

422 mt

Koh Talang Ting Rai village

Season Bungalows Koh Jum Lodge Koh Jum Beach Villas Koh Jum Divers Woodlands Bungalows Joy Bungalows

Koh Jum Villas - Eco Village guarantees life lived in symbiosis with the nature in its total respect.

Twenty-seven unique luxurious villas will nestle along seven hundred metres of tranquil beach on the island sanctuary of Koh Jum. In order to protect and regenerate the coastal forest and to ensure privacy and serenity with a strong return on investment, the land is subdivided into large single-family lots, each measuring approximately 40m x 50m.

Koh Jum village

A swimming pool, reflecting pond, restaurant and residents’ lounge are the focal points of the Koh Jum Beach Villas community, though residents cannot help but be drawn to Koh Jum’s charming fishing villages for the richness of island spirit, culture and, of course, freshly caught local cuisine. Investors may customize their house plans, choosing from several Pod style designs connected by open decks, enhancing the “indoor/outdoor” living experience and allowing for maximum circulation of tropical breezes. Local labour and artisanship combined with international experienced engineers ensure a quality home that blends with its unique environment. Koh Jum Villas have a management service in place whereas buyers can rent out the villas for the time of the year when they do not occupy them.

Managing Director: Ken Seibt Ken’s experience includes overseeing the design and construction of fine homes, most notably with an alpine ambiance in the Canadian Rockies. Ken owns three corporations in Canada and brings a strong business background to Koh Jum Estates Co. Director: Jeffrey Dietrich Jeffrey Dietrich holds a B.S. degree from Antioch College in Environmental Science and owned a business (sales of optical scientific instruments) in Latin America for 15 years. Jeff’s passion for horticulture has flourished with 10 years of landscaping experience in Florida and extensive travels to national parks throughout the tropics. A member and volunteer in national arboretums in Florida and Seattle, Jeff is passionate about the opportunity to be part of a development that truly honors the land and its people.

Architectural Engineer: Mr. Siri Natesiri Mr. Siri’s 30-plus years of work experience in Thailand and Middle Eastern Countries includes positions as a field engineer and construction inspector in a variety of projects from bridges to commercial high rises. Mr Siri’s keen eye for detail ensures a quality structure build to last.

Koh Jum Beach Villas, 320 Moo 3, T. Koh Sriboya, Nua Klong, Krabi 81130, Thailand - Ownership opportunities, contact Ken Seibt +66 (0)84 773 2792 - Villa Rental: contact Severine +66 (0)86 184 0505, +66 (0)84 442 2856 - For inquires, contact info@kohjumbeachvillas.com

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Krabi Magazine

VARILUX SPECIALIST

SAILOR BOB’S CRUISE

Sailing Snorkeling Kayaking Fishing Cliff Jumping Cave Exploring Times to suit your day PRICES INCLUDE: Snorkel Set, Fishing Gear, Shoes Lunch, Drinks, Fruits, Water, Snacks Unlmited free beer on some programs Kids aged up to 15 go free Most programs 1pm to 7pm

Canadian Captain BOB: 084 8486970 Captain Sunshine: 089 6780898 www.saildiving.com

Phi Phi - Thailand

Text and Photos : Roberto Spezzani

At Sea

Sailing Cruise Phi Phi

Real and original sailing cruise with 41 years experienced a Canadian captain. Bob is his name. Together with his Thai colleague, Captain Sunshine or Miss Tawan, they guarantee unforgettable trips and fun!

T

he sailing boat belongs to Bob, a Canadian national who after several freezing winters on a sailing boat in Canada, 15 years ago decided to leave for pastures new. Bob’s story is an interesting one: before arriving in Thailand, Bob had the misfortune of losing his engine when he was around the Fiji islands, with little cash in his pocket but a huge will to get here. He then sailed only when the wind allowed, experienced a dead calm sea of 3 days in Indonesian waters, faced 5 hurricanes and arrived in Thailand with a piggy bank full of dreams. The arrival in Thailand marked a rebirth and a new era, and he is ever thankful to this country for having given him the opportunity to realize his dream: to sail to amazing places, making money out of his passion. Captain Bob has been offering cruises on his sailing boat from his base in the Phi Phi Islands for 5 years, and he often manages to pass to his clients the craving for adventure that characterizes him.

Khun Tawan (AKA Captain Sunshine) is a kind and nice woman who works with Bob. Her attention to details and care towards her clients immediately stroke us as we took position on the sailing boat. She reminded us that all beverages, alcoholic as well, are included in the tour price and asked us what we preferred to eat.

We left at 1pm, and in the first few minutes socialized with the rest of the young guests. Anatoly, a 26-year-old Russian, had been on the trip the day before and had decided to repeat the experience. “I really enjoy my time on this boat, and beer is guaranteed, so I decided to double up. Bob’s spirit is so contagious that today I will be his ship boy… it will cost him a few extra beers though!” – joked Anatoly.

We first stopped in a bay where a few monkeys were waiting for bananas from picture-hungry tourists. Bob then sailed slowly along the coast, so we could enjoy the marine breeze and the views over the sheer cliffs. It is near one of these cliffs that Bob proposed to try deep-water soloing (or DWS), a form of solo rock climbing that relies upon the water at the base of the climb to protect against injury, and that is usually practiced on sea cliffs at high tide. After Bob gave us tips on how to jump and advised us to wear the climbing shoes available on the boat, the boat approached the rock and one by one we climbed to a height of approximately 8mt before jumping. Back on the boat, we all rewarded ourselves with a sandwich and cold beer.

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Next stop was Viking Cave, where registered concessions are given every 4 years for the collection of swallows’ nests. Swallows fly from other places to Viking Cave every year in January, make nests using saliva and leave. Sea gypsies are then hired to collect the nests from February to May every year. Swallows nests are considered beneficial to the health and are used for the treatment of various diseases; they carry a hefty price tag: 80,000 baht per 1 kilogram, so they are prone to be illegally exploited. A local legend wants that anyone infringing on swallows’ nests concession areas will be shot and thrown into the sea without investigation, or taken by sea gypsies to a sacrificial altar where they meet their death. Scary.

We finally reached the popular Maya Bay (yes, the one from the movie ‘The Beach’) where expert Bob decided to moor the boat on the other side of the bay, where snorkeling and kayaking along the coast is ideal - Bob always carries a couple of kayaks on the trip for those who like to paddle. In the water we encountered a wide variety of fish, corals, seaweeds, anemones and sea urchins.

Back on the boat, despite the scarce wind Bob decided to set sails. It is then that we understood the fascination of a sailing boat: the sails grow and inflate, catching the wind and propelling the big vessel forward. The sun was setting in the horizon, and we experienced the magic moment in a deep cove that ends in a solitary beach: Wang Long, an amazing location for an amazing sunset to be immortalized by the cameras of all present.

As the day drew to an end, Bob lowered the sails and headed to Phi Phi. That evening we met up with Anatoly, Bob and Khun Tawan at the Banana Bar to exchange pictures and to spend some quality time with those responsible for our unforgettable day.

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Krabi Magazine

SAILOR BOB Sailing Cruises daily 1pm to 7 pm.

Activities: Snorkeling, Kayaking, Fishing, Cliff Jumping, Cave Exploring and Monkey Feeding; Maya bay and Wang Long Sunset!

Included: Snorkel Set, two Kayaks, Fishing Gear and Shoes. Lunch, Drinks, Fruit, Water, Snacks.

Special Features: Unlimited free beer, plug your iPOD into the yacht’s stereo and party.

Facebook: “Sunshine phi phi” or “Captain Bob’s booze cruise” PH: Thai Captain Sunshine – 0896780898 Canadian Captain Bob - 08484869 WEB: www.saildiving.com

Literary Coner

Young Poets Y

ear six and year seven students from Nawattaphume International School, Ao Nang, have been busy writing a variety of poems in their Literacy class. They have each chosen one of their favorites to share with you. Krabi Magazine will publish 2 poems per issue; enjoy them.

Anoma Arpaia Anoma is fifteen years old. She was born in France and has lived in Thailand for five years, almost six. Anoma loves playing bass guitar and would love to go to Tahiti because it’s beautiful!

Oh My Little Kiwi Bird

Anoma Arpaia

My little kiwi, you look like a pear, So why do they call you kiwi?

Your cousin dodo tasted so good and is now gone forever, Now we all swallow chicken.

Oh little kiwi you can’t fly!

You wings are just outrageous, Stupidly there for no reason.

But my dear little kiwi you are unique!

You cannot fly, but you can run, and you are smart.

Not like your cousin the dodo, Who made us all eat chicken!

Mathieu Mantout Mathieu is twelve years old. He was born is France and has lived in Thailand for four years. Mathieu loves cheese!

If I Were In Charge Of the World

Mathieu Mantout

If I were in charge of the world I’d cancel tree cutting, pollution and also gasoline vehicles.

If I were in charge of the world there’d be a toyshop in every city, a 100 times more gold and also luxury for very cheap.

If I were in charge of the world I’d cancel school, killing animals, passports and also diseases.

If I were in charge of the world you wouldn’t have to work, learn or clean the house.

If I were in charge of the world I would cancel drugs, cigarettes and all bad substances.

And a person, who is hyper and lazy, would still be allowed to be in charge of the world!

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Wellness

Pilates

Pilates is a form of exercise which focuses on the core strength but at the same time trains the whole body, making it stronger, more flexible and controlled

D

ear readers, my name is Heini, I am a 24 years old dancer from Finland and I am here to talk to you about Pilates. In Pilates you will work on your deep muscles that support the spine. Making the stomach and back muscles stronger helps the spine to stay in its natural position, and this is why many people with back problems can find help from Pilates exercises. From the strong and controlled centre, the movements flow outward to the limbs. We do separate breathing exercises in the class and all the movements are done with breathing.

As you work in the tempo of your own breath, it’s easier to do the movements concentrating on right muscles.

I was introduced to Pilates about five years ago through my dance studies. At first it felt difficult to locate the deep muscles and concentrate on training because the movements felt so short. But I could feel the work and effects. Thanks to focusing on the deep supporting muscles, I’ve got better control over the whole body, better balance and I can keep my lower back pains in control. Pilates is good workout for everyone from athletes to office workers.

It’s slow and gentle but at the same time really an effective method for exercising.

It’s often used for physical rehabilitation purposes so people with physical limitations can also practice Pilates.

NA THAI ROAD

SOI AO NANG 1

FOLLOW THE ROAD OUT OF AO NANG FOR 4 KM AND TURN RIGHT INTO SOI AO NANG 1, AT THE NA TAI INTERSECTION

MARINA YOGA

TO KRABI TO AO NAM MAO - SHELL FOSSIL

Mc Donalds Longtail boats

Ao Nang Beach

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Krabi Magazine

You can practice Pilates also with machines but I teach all movements using only the body’s own weight as resistance. It means that after just the first class you can continue the practice at home. All you need is a little bit space on the floor. I want to encourage people to take the workout from the class to their every day life. Once you get in touch with your deep muscles it’s easy to keep them active and even practice them while sitting in the office or bus or home watching TV. In a Pilates class you will also stretch your body and I always like to add some basic stretching to the end of classes. It releases tensions from your spine and muscles and helps the body to relax. We want to make the body strong and flexible at the same time. Pilates, like yoga, challenges you to go deeper into your body and create and strengthen the vital support for your spine and the whole body. My classes are suitable for all ages and from beginners to already more experienced people. For all movements there are easier and harder variations. So it will never stop to challenge you. I also give classes where I mix Pilates and Yoga.

Marina Yoga also offers Reiki, personal training and more. Feel free to call 087 8981506 if you have any question or if you like to visit Marina Yoga center. You can also visit www.marinayoga.com FOOD FOR THOUGHT Where does the name Pilates come from? Pilates is the idea of Joseph Pilates who was born in Germany in 1880. As a child he was frequently ill and decided to train himself using gymnastics to improve his health. He was a bit of a health guru and studied Yoga and Tai Chi before inventing his own brand of exercise in the early 1900’s. In many ways he was ahead of his time and used his techniques to help dancers who were recovering from injury. But his methods were so successful that all sorts of people now use them from ballet dancers through to rugby players.

Pilates is practiced on a mat and is mostly taught in a class but there is specialist equipment available too. At first you learn the importance of movement with breathing. As you get better, exercises are combined to create a flowing continuous movement.

There are lots of different versions of Pilates so you can adapt it to suit you. Make sure you have an experienced instructor and don’t be afraid to ask them why you are doing a certain exercise.

Destination

Text by : Thomas Gennaro l Photos by: Nattaphat Sunthornphuriwat

Wat Bang Riang

T

his popular temple lies just outside the Krabi Province, a 1 hour drive away from Ao Nang. It is hard to find tours that take you there, so the best way to visit it would be to rent a car or a bike (a bit of a journey with a bike, but an interesting adventure nonetheless) and make your way there. It was a nice sunny day so I decided to do it on my scooter. I took the highway to Phuket, drove for about 45 minutes, passed the town of Ao Luk and about 1 km from the Tha Phut intersection I turned right uphill. The road has a Wat Bang Riang sign so finding it is pretty straightforward. I drove though a twisting road encapsulated in dense vegetation before rising up to a lush hill with limestone karts as a backdrop. The last part of the climb was steep and the moped had to negotiate it in 1st gear.

The bamboo forest that covers the hill where Wat Bang Riang is located was partly hidden by a dense fog; the temperature at the top was low and made me chill – don’t forget to take a raincoat and a jumper with you if you are on a bike, just in case. Although it has not been in place for many years, Wat Bang Riang gives the impression that it has always been there. Only 20 years old, this supremely scenic temple was sponsored by the King of Thailand and has been built to satisfy the belief that by being on the top it can give power and good deeds to whoever wishes to succeed.

If you are interested in seeing a temple and you have already paid a visit to ever popular Tiger Temple near Krabi Town, you absolutely need to go see Wat Bang Riang.

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I approached the entrance of the temple. Two long Naga snakes guard the entering path, flanking it on both sides all the way to the temple. The temple white stupa is impressively high and surmounted by a shining golden tip protected from thieves by an electric wire. The temple itself is incredibly ornate and intricate. Inside, monks chanted endless mantras that echoed in the high chamber, surrounded by many images of the Lord Buddha. An old monk approached me and gently hugged me. He invited me to join in the good luck ceremony which involves circling a yellow silk cloth around the base of the internal chamber, knotting it at the door level. I did as I was told and felt priviledged.

IRISH ROVER LIVE MUSIC Around fifty monks live permanently in the complex; outside, one of them was striking the center of a big gong, producing a metallic, melodic sound, symbol of happy times to come. On one side, a colossal golden Buddha sitting cross-legged on top of a Naga snake whose 7 heads protect him from behind, watches down the hill. It was nice to stroll around the gardens around, observing roped monks wearing a wool hat to protect their head from the increasingly cold wind that chilled my bones.

MON: Jovie TUE: Mat Paradise WED: Jovie THU: Mat Paradise FRI: Jovie SAT & SUN: All live sports

The countryside surrounding the temple is beautiful; undulating green hills as far as the eye can see. Located in absolute isolation on the summit of one of the highest hills in the region, the place encompasses views of great depth and beauty. The view of the Phang Nga bay from the top was stunning once the fog cleared. I walked further around the hillside looking down into the valley and saw the massive 20 meters high white and gold statue of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion, Kuan Yin (also spelled Kwan Im or Quan Yin), one of the largest of its kind in the country, sided by a rectangular large pool. Kuan Yin is a goddess of Indian origins who forbids the consumption of beef. I walked around the statue and a sense of harmony and peace engulfed me.

I left the temple compound and drove downhill to reach the original Wat Bang Rian temple, a 100 years old small complex that have recently been enriched by the construction of a second temple. This is surrounded by a massive replica of a Suwannahun boat that used to carry kings on the Chao Praya River.

The visit to the awe-inspiring hilltop temple of Wat Bang Riang was a great way to spend the day, and an epic must-see of your visit to Krabi.

HOW TO GET THERE Head north towards Phuket along the A4, reach Ao Luk town, pass it, follow the A4 passing an area full of high limestone mountains on both sides, and at the 60km mark you see a sign to the right indicating Wat Bang Riang. Take that road uphill until you reach the temple. A return trip by taxi should cost you around 2,000thb, which is ok if you are a couple or a group. There are few tours that include Wat Bang Riang in their itinerary, but all of them don’t give you enough time there to visit it thoroughly.

GREAT FOOD, LIVE MUSIC, LIVE SPORTS

Restaurant Review

La Panza W

A cozy place in Krabi Town with the real Italian flair and taste!

alking along the Krabi Old Chaofa Pier last month while waiting for the minivan to the bus station, I was caught in an unusual tropical storm characterized by heavy rain. I did not know what to do so I entered the first place I found open in order to stay dry. I pretended to check the menu and noticed a group of hearty guys sitting at a table, eating and chatting the lunchtime away. They must be Italians, I thought. On seeing me browsing the menu, they immediately invited me to join their table for a drink and a bite. I refused politely – I am a petite French girl and wanted to keep my decency – but they insisted and I finally accepted. I was curious to see what they had on their table that smelled so delicious.

It turned out to be a real Italian restaurant called La Panza (which means The Belly) and the owner Massimo, an affable young Italian man, was entertaining a group of friends with good food and happy conversations. After the usual introductions, I started to taste bits of what food was on offer. The dish of mixed bruschette looked interesting. I tasted one of them and felt the crunchy homemade bread under my teeth and the creamy mozzarella cheese melting in my mouth. I continued with a slice of thin and crisp Pizza Margherita, which had nothing to envy to the pizzas I had during my numerous visits to Italy (I love that country). I made a break with more conversation and a glass of superb white wine. On my next positive comment on food and wine Massimo confessed that he is also a distributor in Krabi of several quality food and wine producers and importers from Italy, serving local restaurants and hotels, and that he uses the same quality ingredients in his restaurant dishes.

That explained the great tastes La Panza food had.

I ignored my sense of guilt and kept eating while the group involved me in conversations about all sort of topics. I enjoyed a serving of amazingly good penne with Bolognese sauce that resembled my old Italian friend mums’, and a slice of a stuffed calzone pizza definitely unique in taste and content. This food is healthy, my body told me while I drank yet another glass of wine. Meanwhile, the storm outside had subsided and people started to occupy tables, calling Massimo to his chores. I reluctantly told my new friends that minivan time was near and that I had to leave. I tried to contribute to the lunch, but Massimo insisted: it was on him. It is not every day that you find a proper Italian restaurant with proper quality ingredients, run by real Italian friendly people. La Panza is one of them and I will not forget the great food and wine I had there, and the chaps who entertained me that afternoon in Krabi Town.

LA PANZA Italian Restaurant - Old Chaofa Pier, 08 72710680 - Open daily 10am-10pm.

Da Cesare Cheese & Cheese is food and wine distributor for the Krabi province of quality and gourmet products from Italy.

They can be contacted at 08 72710680 or in Krabi Town at La Panza Italian Restaurant.

Most food and wine is available to order or on the spot, and can be bought retail or wholesale. All cheeses and cold cuts are packed in airtight plastic bags, are properly labeled, are guaranteed to be fresh and have a use-by date.

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Scandinavian Residence Guest House and Restaurant Dansk smørrebrød, øl & snaps Bar & Swimming Pool - Free WiFi

www.scandinavianresidence.net scandinavianresidence.aonang@gmail.com 087 264 6123 / 075 695 622 Location: see the Ao Nang map

AD-INLOVE-PRINTED .pdf

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2/23/11

9:05 PM

The Rooftop bar, Krabi Town

Roof of Hello KR Mansion Happy Hours 4 – 7pm Chao Fa Rd, Krabi Buy 1 get 1 free from 8 – 9pm Tel 075 612761 Great food available Next to 7- eleven The best views & sunsets in town

Weddings

Events

Hotels

Tel. 08 9772 7858 E-mail: toidesign@gmail.com 247/13 Moo5, Ao Nang, Krabi 81000 Thailand

Minibus to Krabi

N Best Terrace Hotel

Wanna’s Place

Center Point NG AO NAPARADE OD SEAFO

Seafood Street

Sala Bua The Longtail Boat & Lo Spuntino

RA BIENG TALAY

ACH E B A R H A A T P R A T H P O

Noppharat Thara Pier, Boats to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket

Minibus to Ao Nang-Krabi Muslim Food Stalls

Tsunami Memorial Sculpture

HOLD ME CLOSE

Food Courts Fish Restaurants

Soi 8

Restaurant

Mosque

Bergers

Minibus to Ao Nang

Burger King

Cobra Show

Mod Kaew Pub

Ao Nang Paradise Resort Chandee Buffet

Viewla villa Resort

Boat Noodle

Lai Thai Apartments

Minibus to Krabi

Crazy Gringo TexMex

Longtail Boats to Railay

olice Traffic P Boats tickets Longtail esort Beach R last Golden The rman fishe he last cafe T

Dive Equipment shop

Starbucks Somkiet Buri Resort On the Rock Subway Pizza Company Taj Palace Svensen soi RCA Krabi Heritage Resort Dragon Peace Laguna Resort Red Chilli Bernies The Verandah Resort SK Optic Ao Nang Villa Oceanmart Irish Rover Chillout Cafe

Entertainment Spaghetti House Vogue Pranang Thailandia 2

AO NANG B EACH

Beach Road

Road

Clinic

Blue House

Mosque

Pams Pub

Ton Company

Scandinavian Residence to Shell Fossil

Krabi Consultants

Gift’s Bakery Wh isky A Tittlex & i H Frie Local Market o u s nd s e

AO NANG VILLAGE

To KRABI TOWN

Post Office

Ao Na ng

Aquavision Diving Siam Comm. Bank

AO NANG BEACH NOPPHARAT THARA BEACH

Tattoo de Cafe’

ge illa i Vt ens a Ao Nang d h r r a T o Beach Boxing Stadium rald G angsort Res N e ay e B y Em o Ao an R 's e ic aW en al Lae Lay Grill Att Chn QueBand se Restaurant ilio aan ou a P v B teakh entsn S artmliste ia e r p a d t o Lazy Pub niv j A esi ilan ran CarTolmraabi Sp ThRaestau rt e eso sort K e asd y Alis R ai Re a w a B s S ng aka Na rt P ice Ao eso R ls Pol ya stal rist rt u Pla o a Minibus to eso T ood L f t gR h n Ao Nang g t i a N N ran Ao stau n e i a R n B W a yo Lu ab t Lun an Kresor na Se ang La lack C R Happy Bar Ba afo sai B od r s ach e oat s Beerrac Longtail Boats to Railay ail B tecrho t r g T Ca E Lonkets tic

Saturday Market

Minibus to Krabi

Sabai Resort

Pharmacy

Noppharat Thara & Phi Phi Islands National Park Headquarter

St.Agnes Church

Sabai Residence Mandawee

Hippy Bar Ben Beach Bar

NOPPHARAT THARA

KLONG HAENG VILLAGE

Ao Nang Gardens

Thursday Market

Alta Marea Italian Restaurant

Ao Nang Beach Resort

Kitdee Media & Krabi Magazine

Aning Restaurant

Nadivana

Ayudhya Suites

Azzurra Restaurant Jeanette's Restaurant Kings Tailor Eden Restaurant

To KLONG MUANG

Absolute Tailor

SupsaengDao Resort

Nok Minimart

To KRABI TOWN CTOP Nice Nature Homes

WALKING STREET

Boat Restaurant

Centara Krabi Resort

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta Highlights

K

oh Lanta is situated in the southernmost tip of the Krabi province. It consists of two islands, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai. Koh Lanta Noi is the smaller of the two islands and does not have tourist facilities.

Visitors traveling by road from the main land pass through the smaller island on the way to Koh Lanta Yai, the center of the tourist operations.

Ban Sala Dan village, in the north of the island, is Lanta Yai’s commercial center, and the pier where visitors arrive on the island. It is a row of shops, seafood restaurants on stilts, dive shops, tour operators, banks and guest houses that cater for new comers on the island. The bulk of the Lanta beaches lie along the west coast of the island and can all be reached by road: Kho Kwang, Khlong Dao and Phra Ae all have long stretches of white sand facing the Andaman sea, while Khlong Khong, Khlong Nin and Ba Kan Tiang and other smaller bays are all nice to relax and swim.

The east coast of Koh Lanta Yay is flat and has many local villages scattered along its coastline. Koh Lanta has a very diverse cultural mix of people who have lived on the island in harmony for hundreds of years: Thai-Muslim, Thai-Chinese and the original sea gypsies still inhabit the place in harmony. The biggest town on the island is Lanta Old town.

Boat trips to Koh Lanta are available during the monsoon free period from October to April. May to November see the closure of some of the island businesses and of the boat passenger services due to rough seas.

A minibus service is the alternative way to reach the island via land. For boat schedule to/from Koh Lanta consult our Krabi Miniguide 81000.

Ba Kantiang Beach Spectacular crystal–clear seawater and soft white sand, romantic sunsets in utmost privacy, this is why Ba Kantiang has come to symbolize an hideaway in Lanta for relaxing in natural surroundings.

Lighthouse on Lanta Located in Tanod Cape, on the southernmost tip of the island, the lighthouse tower of Lanta is the perfect symbol of solitude.

It is the place where immaculate nature still survives as it is rarely reached by tourists due to the rugged road conditions.

Koh Lanta National Park The park covers a marine area dotted with several small sandy islands surrounded by coral reefs. The headquarters is located on the island’s southern extremity.

Ban San-ka-u A sea gypsy’s settlement in south-east Lanta Yai. It is there that an old clan of traditional Chao Ley try to preserve a disappearing way of life in this fast-developing island.

Eco-tours These are run all year round from the east coast of Lanta Yai, not affected by the low season rough seas.

Make your way to Thung Yee Pheng village for a trip with a local community - www.tungyeepeng.com, or book a tour with friendly and experienced Sun Tours - www.lantalongtail.com

Nature Lanta Old Town It was once called Ban Si Raya and was the commercial port for Chinese and Arabic trading boats that sailed between the ports of Phuket, Penang and Singapore. Today it is a village with a few rows of stilted shop houses home to an ancient community that was established on the island long ago. It is a picturesque place with, these Chinese timer shop-houses date back 100 years, from the old days of sea trading. Near the shacks along the coast, local fishermen dock their longtail boats giving the whole scene a very Thai look.

Because of its bio-diversity and richness of natural resources, Lanta is a good place for trekking. Explore limestone cave chambers and passageways in the Lanta caves, or walk upstream to the spring water waterfall, where to swim in cool rock pools.

Fire Dancing This is definitely one interesting part of the Lanta beach culture. A fire dancing show is usually performed by young boys performing twisting acrobatics swinging burning torches and ropes lit on fire around their muscular bodies. A distinguishing show that sparkles in the dark.

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Out at Sea

Story & Photos : Thomas Gennaro

Wooden Boat Trip On a stunning morning last month, and after several missed invitations, I finally got the chance to hop on one of Didier’s tours on his reconditioned wooden boat named A&D.

I

drove from Ao Nang in the early morning and managed to board one of the first ferries, to reach Koh Lanta by 8am. I saluted Didier, who was busy talking to his captain and setting the boat for the trip. I boarded the boat through a selfmade bamboo floating jetty passing through Didier house, a refurbished shack on stilts in the northern shores of the village of Baan Saladan. A little time to introduce myself to the captain and to the day’s tour companions, a group of 6 German nationals, and off we were cruising towards the Koh Lanta straight. Along several piers, diving boats were loading air tanks and diving equipment, and divers were chatting with instructors, excitingly talking about the day’s dives.

The water on the straight was calm. Didier told us he prefers to cruise along the mangrove side first as tides there are pretty calm at that time of the day. Didier confirmed tours aboard of A&D boat could be taken in low season too, as the boat is perfect for mangrove cruising and the waters on the straight are calm even in the rainy season. The day trip program was taking us to the island group to the south of Koh Lanta, belonging to the province of Trang. It was going to be a long 3 hours journey to get there, but as Didier told me, it is the client who chooses the itinerary, and today’s guests had specifically asked to be taken to Koh Mook, one in the Trang archipelago.

As the boat cruised worriless, I took advantage to check up the back of it, where a large wooden trunk hid the huge engine. Different from the traditional longtail boats that characterize the Andaman area and that, as the name implies, use external engines attached to a long iron stick attached to a propeller, A&D is bigger, has a stored away engine and propels from under the water. It also has a device not used on the longtail boats of Krabi and beyond, object of envy of all local seafarers when they come across one on a wooden boat: a rudder. Yes, A&D Captain Bang Sod, with several years at the command of large diving boats, was surprised and happy to find that the wooden boat he was going to work for had a rudder. Bang Sod is an aged local with white hair and a witty smile. I spent some time with him in the cabin while I observed the few commands and the rest of the boat: classy, big, with a rooftop where passengers can walk on or sunbath, and on the deck a long table that can accommodate 20 pax with a sunken space for comfortably fitting the legs under.

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I then turned my attention to the mangrove forests; their environment is so complete, so quiet and peaceful especially at that time of the day. The boat’s slow pace allowed us to enjoy the magnificent views of the gulf, and to take on the healthy sea breeze. The magic of the sea is always appealing to me. I love slow boats, drifting in the vastness of the water masses, watching the horizon line and never reaching it, evoking past navigations of intrepid seafarers. By 9am we reached the open sea and the sun started to get stronger; this called for some protective sunscreen. The sky was a nice shade of blue.

We cruised along Koh Por island with its nice bays, a fisherman village and no resorts or bungalows, we arrived at Lanta’s southernmost point, then passed islands like Koh Ngai, its surrounding literally invaded by tours boats of any type and its beach crowded by seminaked sunbathers, then Koh Ma and Koh Chuak, until we finally caught sight of Koh Mook and Koh Kradan, the most popular islands in the Trang province part of Had Chao Mai National Park. Koh Mook, our main destination, is home to several local communities, it features high cliffs and rocks facing the open sea at the western coast, and is well known thanks to Morakot Cave, a unique attractions of the Unseen in Thailand program, located to the west of the island and taking the name from the color the water assumes in the proximity of the cave: emerald (morakot).

Captain Bang Sod anchored the boat and we went into the water one by one on the proximity of the cave entrance, reaching it with Didier at the helm. The exciting thing about this hidden lagoon, besides the stunning limestone karsts of the island, is the way to reach the inside: swimming through a narrow fissure a few meters wide that marks the entrance of a small sea tunnel in the majestic limestone rock. We did so, with Didier holding the torch to make way, and continued inside for about 100 meters in a dark tunnel with low ceilings accessible only during low tide; we even managed to enter the wrong tunnel and hitting a dead end. On the way to the correct passage, we encountered a line of Thai tourists wearing colorful life jackets and holding each other by the hands; they swam out of the tunnel screaming in excitement.

We swam through the cave in an unexpectedly high tide for the time of the day that forced us to lower our heads to avoid hitting the above rock ceiling; the center of the cave was pitch dark, but after a short while light started filtering in from the other side of the tunnel. We entered the small lagoon enclosed in a shell of sheer rocks several hundred meters high and covered in tropical vegetation. The small beach is lined with huge beech trees and plants that sprout massive foliage from a red earthy ground. The sand there has the consistency of powder. We spent some time in peace, had a swim, explored the jungle-ridded sides of the encircling mountain, and left for the swim back.

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Captain Bang Sod was religiously waiting for our return, ready to cruise on. On the way back, we had a lunch of simple yet delicious rice and a kid of vegetable ratatouille cooked fresh on the early morning by Didier in person, followed by fruit and soft drinks. Didier later arranged a couple of fantastic snorkeling breaks, as well as a swimming stop in one of the secluded bays in the southwest of Koh Lanta. We arrived back to Didier jetty at 5pm, tired from the several hours of boating but happy and content, thinking about the marvelous experience of navigating with such a smart and lovely vessel.

Didier left to take back the guests to their hotel. I sat and contemplated the sea, as the sun started setting behind the Koh Phi Phi silhouette in the distance. What a day and what a boat, I thought, and made my way to the car; confident it was not the last time I cruised on Didier’s beauty.

www.kohlantatourism.com now offers day cruises from Koh Lanta to the neighbouring islands Phi Phi, 4 Islands, Koh Rok and beyond. A&D is the only traditional boat offering enough space to all its guests, who can lie down or sit around the table. The speciality is ½ day or full day cruising with snorkeling, and Didier is arranging longer 2 or 3 days trips for those who like a bit of more adventure, and travel liveaboard, stopping by on several islands for snorkeling, cycling and kayaking. An exciting program not to miss. Included in the tours are transfers, lunch, refreshments, insurance, and lifejackets for all. Didier can arrange party cruises, sunset cruises and wedding cruises, taking up to 20 Guests with prices upon request. Didier can be contacted on 084 3273414, via email on kohlantatourism@hotmail.com, or directly where the boat is moored, next to Swedish Restaurant at the far left side of the north of Saladan.

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Text by : Mellisa Bunyan l Photos by : Blueplanetdivers.net

Diving

Andaman Freediving Competition 2011 I love sitting in the ‘blue,’ just the tranquillity of hearing my breathing and seeing nothing but beautiful sea, above, below and all around, that’s why I volunteered to be the SCUBA Safety Diver on the Andaman Freediving Competition.

As the organiser, I could have spent my day on the sunny deck of the Blue Planet boat but there is something spectacular about sitting at 15m watching a Freediver cut through the water and pass me on their way to 40 metres. This was my first year as the organiser of this event and I have to say I was very nervous before the event. Freedivers take their sport very seriously and they need the time, space and organisation to prepare for this challenging competition. But with help from our staff, the sponsors and most of all the judges the competition went pretty smoothly.

For those of you not aware of the sport, Freediving, (or Apnea) is diving underwater using only the air in your lungs. The competitors take part in 6 different disciplines, 3 in the sea and 3 in the pool. Day One saw us on the Blue Planet Divers boat heading to Koh Haa for the sea competition. Marie, our only female athlete, started of the Free Immersion round (pulling down without the use of fins) with a fantastic 26m pull. Having dived down to this depth to check the line, even as a Scuba diver this felt a long way, and more importantly it took a long while. Micheal Baldwin (Aus) and Gregoire Folly (Swiss) took an early lead both achieving a massive 45m pull!

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The second round is called ‘Constant Weight’ diving with fins with the same weight coming up as you took down. Micheal Baldwin lead this discipline with a 43m dive but Mohammed Azam Hamid achieved his second Country Record, of that day for Malaysia with a great 32m dive. With all the competitors performing to their announcements (they have to state what they will achieve the day before) the day was hotting up, and that was not just due to the sunshine!

The last round of the day was Constant Weight No Fins; technique is all important here as you need to move as far as possible, using as little effort as possible. From my unique position, this looked hard and with the competitors becoming tired, the announcements were suddenly looking not quite as easy. Drutten Nygren (Swedish and known by all as Mr D) suddenly gained some ear problems and despite reaching 14m could not reach the tag at 36m; Gregoire and Micheal however reached 36 and 35m respectively placing them 1st and 2nd with James Valentine (British) only 3 points behind.

Royal Lanta Resort & Spa hosted the second half of the competition in one of their 2 pools. Competitors were clearly exhausted from the day before and the Static (simple breath hold) proved a huge challenge for most, with many finding beyond 5 minutes impossible. But Daniel Palmer (British) a quiet and softly spoken competitor suddenly came into his own with a 5 minute 15 second Static, the best we had seen all day! However Micheal quickly followed up with a 5 minute 1 second performance compared to Gregoire’s 4 minutes 31 seconds enabling him to close the gap between 1st and 2nd.

Dynamic with Fins saw the competitors swimming lengths of the pool (28.8m long) and Micheal, one of the pool favourites, pulled an incredible 144 metres, but unfortunately was unable to complete the Surface Protocol (a demonstration to prove the diver is still in control) despite the very verbal encouragement from Azam and was disqualified, which left the pool and overall competition wide open. Gregoire, however, completed 115m with ease and pretty much assured his title as overall champion as long as he was not disqualified in the last round, Dynamic without Fins. With everything to play for, Mr D, our last dive of the competition, went for it swimming for a magnificent 93 metres. Upon surfacing, and waiting until he received his white card from the judges, Mr D celebrated with his first beer for over a month!

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But Gregoire’s consistently good performance meant that his performance of 70m despite being shorter than Mr D’s was enough to secure him the winner of the sea, the pool and of course overall. Second was won by James Valentine with only a few points in it between him and Mr D. Special mention should also go to our only female competitor, Marie, for being 5th out of 8 contestants, and to Azam for his great Sportsmanship and 4 National Records for Malaysia.

Aqualung, our very generous sponsor, provided prizes for all of the competitors.

It seems the one thing Freedivers all succeed at is celebrating! They go months not drinking, treating their bodies like temples and then, after the competition, they party! And party! And party a little more. Our wonderful Freedivers all deserved this time out and I left them, as I was so exhausted, at Corner Bar dancing the night away!

I have to admit it, I love my SCUBA diving and what it lets me do underwater, but this Freediving has got me intrigued, I like the challenge and as one of the competitors put it, my “stubbornness will help!”. So whilst I will not be competing in the 2012 competition (9th – 12th February 2012) I might take up the challenge and see what Marc, our Freediving instructor, can push me to achieve.

Blue Planet Divers - PADI 5 star IDC Centre If you would like to take part next year or just want to learn a bit more, contact Blue Planet Divers (www.blueplanetdivers.net) for more information.

PADI Recreational and Professional Courses / Fun Dives Freediving AIDA course (Sled dive) Tech Diving DSAT / TDI, 3 Moo 1 Ban Saladan, Koh Lanta 81150 Krabi – Thailand - Tel / Fax: +66 (0) 75-668 165 - Mobile: +66 (0)8547 23450 www.blueplanetdivers.net www.diving-koh-lanta.com Facebook “Blue Planet Divers”

LaNta aNImaL WELfaRE

DID YOU KNOW....

All profit from Time For Lime goes directly to the charity LANTA ANIMAL WELFARE So.. come Learn, Eat & Drink your hearts out!

AND FEEL GOOD

Cooking School Restaurant

thai & fusion

Fun & Professional evening Cooking Classes on the Beach Front FANTASTIC 6 dish Tasting Menu that changes every evening

8 years with Quality & Funky Atmosphere

Beach Bar

HAPPY HOUR 5.30-6.30 On our FAMOUS Cocktails

Bungalows

8 cozy air-con & fan

KLONG DAO BEACH - KO LANTA Tel: 075 684 590 www.timeforlime.net

Is a Non - Profit organization.

We help keep the Island safe for you by conducting Sterilization & Rabies vaccine programs. We give first aid to injured & abused animals.

DOGGIE WALKING at 5 PM ! !

30 shelter dogs would be truly grateful to get your love & affection.

You can adopt as well!

Volunteers & donations are greatly appreciated and NEEDED. PLEASE HELP US TO CONTINUE THIS WORK www.lantaanimalwelfare.com 084 304 4331, 089 967 5017

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Hotel, Ko Lanta

Story & Photos : Thomas Gennaro

Eating Review

Red Alert M

y visit at the trendy Red Alert restaurant was characterized by a windy evening. The place was as good as I remembered. I had dined there a year ago with some friends and the meal had been delicious. I was alone this time, just as well as all tables were occupied by happy diners when I arrived. All but a small one, which I rushed to take.

I was immediately greeted by Shana, the Belgian restaurant manager. She welcomed me, suggested a few dishes, informed me that a new chef was operating, and off she returned to her chores. From the kitchen, noises of spoons mixing ingredients in a pan, and a lovely smell of food. Boy, I realized how hungry I was. I made my order to the smiling waitress, leaned on the puffy comfy chair and relaxed. The mix of musice that was being played was great.

A look out into the patio reveiled The Houben’s impressive pool; beyond, the sea was as dark as coal, and the horizon line was dotted with lights form a dozen fishing boats in the distance. What a setting, I thought. I looked back inside. Art surrounded me: featured lampshades hanging from the high ceiling, abstract oil paintings on walls, huge ceramic objects of different shapes dotted the floor. The bar area looked modern and cool, with ceramic art applied on walls for a glassy futuristic look. I hd to take some pictures, I immediately thought.

Meanwhile my starters arrived. Toong Thong, also called ‘money bags’, are pastry rolls stuffed with ground shrimps and sesame oil, and served with a sweet plum sauce. The set of 8 pieces looked so good and well presented, each bag closed up with a crunchy veggie thread, and deep-fried. They tasted terrific, crunchy on the outside, not oily at all, with the prawns filling melting in the mouth. I devoured them. What followed was a mix of bites: spring roll veggies, tasty and full of goods, and chicken satay, grilled to perfection and served with a tasty peanuts sauce.

No, It’s not a real-time strategy computer game, or a Starfleet alert state in the Star Trek fiction. It’s the signature restaurant of The Houben Resort in Ba Kantiang, Koh Lanta.

Main dish consisted of massive chunk of fresh Tasmanian salmon topped with Dijon and gravy mustard sauce on a bed of sauté spinach and mashed potatoes. Its flakes o opened at the slight pressure of my fork. I am not that fond of mustard, but this sauce was tasty and proper, and its flavours enhanced the taste of the salmon. The hydroponic salad served with it tasted real! The presentation paired that of a 5 star resort, with a topping of lemongrass stalks and a choreographic stem of spring onions as well as a sprig of mint. The taste was so good I was glad to have gone for fish. The selection of wines sported good names from Australia, Chile, France, Italy and Spain. I had an Antihue Sauvignon Blanc with my dinner, impressively good for a house wine.

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After a better scrutiny of the menu and a look at the ‘specials of the day’ blackboard at the bar, which I had clearly missed, I wish I had chosen something heavier, like a blue cheese salad, or the grilled lamb, the beef tenderloin, and more. Apart from salads and classic Thai dishes like Raad Na and Massaman Curry, the Red Alert menu is enriched with an impressive choice of grilled items and pizzas and pastas. I kept turning pages and finding inviting meals.

This called definitely for a few further visits to this restaurant this season.

It was 10pm when I finished coffee and left, thanking Shana and her team for the culinary experience. The will was still blowing; the fishing boats on the horizon had multiplied. My belly was full, and I was happy. Red Alert may be a bit far from your resort especially if you are staying in the north of Koh Lanta, but I assure you a meal there is well worth the few extra miles.

THE HOUBEN The Houben is the newest boutique-style hotel on the island of Lanta Yai, a modern, private villa-style hotel comprising 15 seafront rooms located on a cliff overlooking a striking panoramic view of the Andaman Sea. The hotel is located around 20 kilometres from the Saladan Village. The owners of the hotel come from Belgium. The Infinity Swimming Pool contains a small jacuzzi as well.

The Houben rooms are spacious and finished off in white giving it a clean and fresh look. The main highlight is a big super-comfortable bed with very soft linen. The Houben faces west which allows viewing of the spectacular sunsets on the daily basis. The Houben guarantees a homely feel with a personal attention from the staff.

Website: www.thehouben.com

Lanta PIZZERIA BAJEN STEAKHOUSE

Tel: 081-677 84 95

MiniGo f Nintendo Wii

075-684 309

Phra-Ae Beach - Koh Lanta

www.bajenpizzeria.com

Text by : The Lanta Retreat

Health & Living

A New Lifestyle M

any of us feel an urge to start fresh and change our lifestyle. We need some tools in order to make this happen. But most of all we need tools that actually work to implement into daily life when we get back to reality at home.

So just as important as it is to get the tools, we also need to think through how we shall make small changes in our daily life routines in order to be able to do our practice. Otherwise this will just be another thing that adds up to all the musts we already have.

We read about it all the time. Each and every magazine is writing about lifestyle related issues these days. A lot of research is devoted to the aging process, searching for its key factors.

Weight, nutrition, antioxidants, exercise, smoking, alcohol are all factors that research proves affects us. Most of us actually know how we are supposed to live in order to have a long and healthy life. A lot of attention is also given to the benefits of meditation, as it is proven to reduce stress in a powerful way and help through daily life. Meditation is concentration and with this practice we balance and clean our inside. We would never dream of leaving home without taking a shower and brush our teeth, but not much attention is given to the status of our inside.

Why doesn’t everyone meditate? Probably because it’s so difficult to get started. It takes time to see the results, and patience is needed. Often we demand too much from ourselves, trying to change everything at the same time and fast. It is often easier if we start with some small changes and then add more and more over time. To start with, for example, yoga and to learn to meditate when you have plenty of time is great.

Your practice improves fast since there are not a lot of other daily things that disturb your focus. Exercise regularly, attend a meditation course and receive stress-handling tools that will

make your day easier when the going gets tough around you at home. 10 minutes of meditation in the morning can make all the difference during the day.

When it comes to the food and drinks, it’s important to remember that it is not the stuff you eat and drink Saturday night that creates these extra kilos around the belly. It is the things you eat and drink every day: caffé latte, beers, soft drinks and alcohol – they all contain a lot of calories. Stick to water in the week and give yourself a treat at the end of the week with a nice bottle of champagne. You are worth it. Serve a large plate of raw veggies on the table at every dinner and eat them instead of the mashed potatoes to the chicken breast and you will soon notice the difference. Add walking the stairs instead of the elevator, exercise and the difference will be even greater.

And all of sudden you have started. You might continue and stop smoking, you know how to keep track of your weight and before you know it, you will have turned in to a real health freak.

Knowing all your antioxidants, avoiding everything white (bad fat, flour, sugar, dairy products) and maybe even turned to a devoted raw food eater. Slowly slowly. Our body is our temple; treat it like that. But give your self-time, rewards and patience!

A suggestion is to use the morning for detox, which also boosts the metabolism. The body detoxes naturally before lunch. Help your body. Start the day with green tea and then give yourself a generous amount of fresh fruit. Add some healthy muesli with a generous amount of natural nuts, seeds, Goji berries and almonds. If you are on Koh Lanta you can give yourself the luxury to order this from Rang Gai Sabai. So you don’t even have to cut and peel the fruits. Enjoy these treasures of Thailand while you are here!

Good luck and enjoy life!

This article is provided by Annelie at The Retreat, located in Klong Dao Beach. Contact them for more information on 08 46751094 or check www.theretreatthailand.com

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KOH LANTA YAI NORTH

Passenger Post Office Ferry Car Ferry to Lanta Noi & mainland

KAW KWANG BEACH Kaw Kwang Resort Blue Planet Divers

Lanta Diver Lanta Sailing Ko Lanta Diving Center Blue Planet Divers The Frog

BAN SALADAN

Minivan Station

to Lanta Old Town

Sunday Market Costa Lanta Resort Laguna Beach Club Mike’s Collection Eden Bar&Dining

Phone +66 (0) 75 68 41 24-27 Fax +66 (0) 75 68 41 28 E-mail : info@lantaislandresort.com Website : www.lantaislandresort.com

ar B n ing e d E Din &

Enjoy tasty Thai dishes European Food New Zealand Beef Fillet Pizza & Pasta Wines & Cocktails

Cafe’au Lait Southern Lanta Resort The Retreat Chaba Bungalows Maneelanta Lanta Island Resort

KLONG DAO BEACH

Mike’s Collection

Minivans to Krabi/Phuket Congrit Resto Everything Shop Ancient Realm Resort & Spa

Elephant Trekking

Time for Lime Cooking School & Restaurant Klong Dao boxing stadium Holiday Villa Lanta Resort Lanta Sand Resort Expat Cafe’ Escape Cabins Poseidon Villas Lanta Diver Lanta Tavern Ozone Bar Dreamy Spa I-Yarade Real Estate Lanta Palm Beach Lanta Law Thanee Layana Resort & Spa Tides Restaurant Lanta Casuarina Resort Dive & Relax

KOH LANTA

Klong Dao Main Road Beside PT Petrol Station For Reservations Contact Khun Supavadee [Azmi] : 086 8840052 - Mr. Markus : 083 1066606 www.eden-restaurant-lanta.com, e-mail : mail@eden-restaurant-lanta.com

Lanta Car Rental SK Optik

PHRA AE LONG BEACH

White Flower Bajen Sports

Lanta Castaway Resort EXOTIQ Koh Lanta Real Estate Lantanian Center Desjoyaux Pools Andaman Sunflower Red Snapper Relax Bay Resort

White Flower Apartments Bajen Steakhouse & Nintendo Wii Minigolf

Lanta Garden Hill Faim de Loup bakery Retro Restaurant Lanta Loft

Lanta Sunset Living

Elephant Trekking to Lanta Old Town & eastern islands

Custom made clothes for ladies and gents

Choose from our large selection of material and style Free pick-up from any hotel on Ko Lanta Your satisfaction is our motto

Sunrise Creek Villa Project

KLONG KONG BEACH FERRY TIMETABLE: to Koh Phi Phi 8am & 1pm to Ao Nang/Railay 8.30am & 1.30pm to Phuket 8am &1.30pm to Koh Lipe 1pm

Chaw Ka Cher Resort

BUILT AND MARKETED BY

Saneh Villas LPH Kirikan LPH Klong Kon Villas

tel. +66 (0)899085990 thomas@exotiqproperty.com www.exotiqproperty.com

BUS TIMETABLE: to Krabi every hour 6am to 5pm to Trang every hour 8am to 3pm to Phuket every hour 7am to 4pm

Contacts:

083 106 66 06 Mr Markus 075 668 390 Shop

Ko Lanta, Klong Dao main road (beside Eden Restaurant)

MARKETS: Ban Saladan Sunday mornings Lanta Old Town Monday mornings Klong Nin Saturday mornings

to south of the island

Semester eller andra hem i solen?

Sveriges Televisions utlandskanal SVT World sänder i dag till Europa, Asien, Australien, Afrika och Nordamerika – dygnet runt och året om!

Fråga efter SVT World på ditt hotell – du får en naturbok!

Skriv kortfattat vad hotellet svarade på din fråga. Notera hotellets namn, och e-postadress samt om SVT World finns i alla rum, bara i lobbyn eller inte alls. Skicka uppgifterna till oss.

Posta: SVT World, Sveriges Television, SE-105 10 Stockholm E-post: svtworld@svt.se eller fyll i blanketten på vår hemsida: svt.se/svtworld För abonnemang: ConNova TVX, svtworld@connova.se +46 (0)141 - 20 39 10, www.connova.se

Yoga & meditation

Drop- in mindfulness meditation and Astanga yoga, primary series Monday–Friday. Private teaching and retreats available

Ran Gai Sabay

fruit bar, fruit catering & shop for body, spirit and mind

clothes from turQuoise

Lanta healthy massage medical Thai massage, baby massage & body treatments Koh Lanta, Klong Dao Beach, behind ChaBa/Picasso

www.theretreatthailand.com

RENT YOUR OWN HOUSE ! private villa & apartment rental

www.visitlanta.com

Story : Pierre-Yves Loriers

REAL ESTATE - Architect Tips

Ton Company: on the move The 10-year old company has started 2011 in style with a move to a brand new office space, more than double the size of the previous unit, in a statement building on the main Ao Nang – Krabi Road (Thanon Susaan Hoi).

W

ith a large glass façade, this two level “loft-style” office unites the company’s full 18-strong team under one roof. The ground floor houses the reception area, with the villa management, accounting and IT staff; while the mezzanine level accommodates the architecture and construction team, as well as a conference space and a dedicated showroom for construction materials and samples. The location, 3km from the beach in Ao Nang, makes the office easy for clients to get to; and there is ample parking space on the ½ rai plot.

“We now have 60 completed projects in the Ao Nang area,” says Pierre-Yves Loriers (Ton), the managing director of the company. “Not only were we looking for more room for our expanding workforce, but also somewhere that gives us greater visibility and a higher profile, in keeping with the direction the company is going.” The building certainly makes a statement; and functionally it allows the “one stop shop” vision of Ton Company to be easily achieved. “We have always tried to make things as straightforward as possible for our clients,” explains Ton, “so we offer everything from help to find the initial plot of land; through all aspects of the project design and construction; right up to the maintenance, marketing and rental of the finished villa.”

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In the coming year, Ton Company intends to stay focused on this core business and continue to provide quality in an increasingly competitive market. “Our work eclipses that of less experienced firms because we invest in properly qualified people. Each of our employees has been hand-picked for the position, and offers a wealth of experience and expertise in his or her field,” says Ton. “And, as all our work, even construction, is carried out in house, this creates continuity and the shared vision our clients expect and deserve for their project.” Ton Company expects the custom build property market to further strengthen in 2011. “We see more and more people coming from Phuket and looking to build a villa in Krabi. Relatively the prices are still much lower here; and you get a lot more land – and therefore privacy – for your money,” says Ton. “The other advantage of Krabi is that you have fabulous views everywhere, not just along the coast. Inland, with the mountainous terrain, and a little imagination, it’s possible to find some stunning locations for a holiday home – and often at bargain prices.” The company’s first big project of this year will be a development of luxury sea view pool villas along the Ao Nam Mao coastline. The design is set to be in a very traditional Thai style, though these elements will be combined with modern materials and techniques.

Ton Company will handle all the design and construction, as well as the future rental program, through the website www.krabivilla. com.

“We anticipate that the villa rental market will continue to grow in 2011,” says Ton. “We are seeing strong bookings for all of our current properties: 2010 was our best ‘Green Season’ to date. The general trend, following the lead of Phuket, is away from hotel rooms and towards private, fully serviced accommodation. It is certainly realistic to expect rental yields that will cover the maintenance costs of a property; many villa owners see more than that. With 10 years of experience in the Krabi area, we can offer fairly accurate forecasting both for project budgets and for rental income, meaning less risk for the client. That’s one New Year prediction you can count on!”

For more information on the comprehensive villa design, construction and management services offered by Ton Company Ltd, please contact 075 695-633 or by email at: Ton@TonCompany.com. www.KrabiArchitect.com - www.TonCompany.com - www.KrabiVilla.com

SUTIN & FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL LAW OFFICE Legal Consultation Litigation through the Kingdom Business Registration Contract Making Legal Services for Alien Family and Estate Law 171/80-82 Krabi Rd, Paknam, Muang, Krabi 81000 Tel. +66 (0) 7561 2259, +66 (0) 7562 0250 Fax. +66 (0) 7562 0249 E-mail. sutinlaw@hotmail.com, sutinlaw@yahoo.com

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Construction

Granite

From the Quarry to the Counter-top

GRANITE. Definition 1: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline used for building and monuments.

I

t was during a discussion over dinner with a close friend that the origin of this article arose. On placing his glass back onto the granite table in front of us, he began to rub the underside of the slab, and with this gesture he questioned the authenticity of the pink-flecked stone in front of us.

Having worked with the material myself, I was quick to dismiss his claim of ‘granite forgery’ and was all too eager to put him straight on a few facts. I explained to him that this material was in great abundance and therefore relatively inexpensive, and that it would be ridiculous to even consider replicating it.

Alas my fellow diner wasn’t going to simply take my word for it. And so I took it upon myself to research the process of producing granite. Starting with extraction all the way to its natural, polished, conclusion.

The process of extracting granite from quarries more often than not conjures up images of laborers, arduously working in blistering heat with only hammer and chisel between them and the stone. Things certainly have changed. We have our ancestors to thank for the discovery of granite. Dating back as early as 3,000 BC, the Egyptians were the first civilization to extensively quarry and build with natural stone. They built most of their monuments out of granite and limestone.

After that it was the turn of Greeks and they took the use of natural stone to new heights, in fact it was them who were the first to bring the use into the home. Now, let’s leave the history lessons in the past and concentrate firmly on the present.

Granite is more often than not quarried in open pits. Long vertical holes are drilled at short intervals and loaded with explosives. The drill pattern and blast pattern break out the rocks in slabs. The size and shape of the slabs can be accurately controlled by the drilling pattern but each pit has its oddities and it takes a lot of local expertise to ensure the most effective break. Transporting granite for stonework is not as simple as just loading it on to a truck and just hauling it away.

Unprocessed granite slabs rub against each other, grinding each other to pieces whilst in transit. If left unchecked the manufacturers could wind up with only stone dust to work with.

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Trucks are usually fitted with containers that keep the stones packed in tightly, and prevent them from moving whilst being transported. Once at the delivery site, the stones are carefully unloaded using huge cranes.

Cutting the stones requires precision that human hands are not capable of. For this reason, stone cutting saws are usually computer aided.

For counter-tops the stones are generally cut into slabs between 2 to 3 inches thick; this is much thicker than the actual counter-top, giving stonecutters and fabricators more leeway in which to work with. Once the granite slabs are the correct shape, they are ready to be finished.

Usually this involves sanding the piece with several buffers and different grades of sandpaper; this would be tedious if undertaken by hand, so most major manufacturers have machines that do this instead. The profiling phase of the production process creates the shine for which countertops are valued; profiling also helps harden and clean the surface of the piece. Usually an unfinished granite countertop will break and chip, because of the imperfections on the pieces surface. Profiling evens out these imperfections and prevents further damage from being done to the piece. Now the slab is ready for the locally based supplier’s showroom.

The past fifteen years has seen a boom in granite usage in the kitchen and bathroom. The material is becoming a more and more popular choice for builders and construction projects, as well as home remodelers spurred on by numerous television makeover programs. Just why these TV experts have suddenly found the beauty and cost-effectiveness in granite is hard to fathom; nonetheless they have realized that aesthetically it is an ideal material for both domestic and commercial design and especially so when considering how easy it is when it comes to care and the perceived added value as a home improvement investment - even though granite countertops are more costly that the standard inferior MDF equivalents.

Granite is one of the most beautiful and versatile materials for countertops. Proper care and maintenance will help retain its sparkle and enhance its natural beauty, thus adding a touch of timeless beauty to your home.

CARING FOR THE STONE Even though granite is a hardwearing material, the polished finished does require some TLC. Here are some tips to avoid any unwanted marks or scratches and how to deal with them if they do occur.

• Avoid using the surface for cutting or slicing, be sure to use a chopping board.

•Avoid placing acidic foods, carbonated beverages or vinegar directly onto the slab. They can eventually corrode the surface.

• Hot pots and pans placed upon the stone can leave a hard to remove dark stain.

• Lightly rubbing some wire wool against the damaged area will help remove any of the above-mentioned problems.

• Make sure to clean your countertop using just hot water and washing up liquid.

• Since granite is porous, it needs to be sealed at least twice a year so that it can resist stains on its surface. You could get this done by approaching any local granite dealers.

This article was supplied by LYG Construction Krabi, a Development and Construction company based in town. For all your Construction and Home renovation needs contact their English speaking team for your free quote and any advice required.

Visit their web-site www.lygconstructionkrabi.com to view their latest projects.

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The Lumyai Group LTD Development and Construction 1:100

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บรีษัท กมล๊อต จำกัต

Text by : Stefano Gonella

Showcased

Studio Apartments

If your house or apartment is small, it does not mean you cannot furnish it properly. It is in fact possible to furnish a studio apartment to functional standards.

The secret is to use spaces at their best, considering every corner or wall portion, and using intelligent, space-saving furniture.

With the right advice and some help from modern furniture options, furnishing your home will be easy and fun.

It is possible to fit all needed areas (bathroom included!) in a small 25sqm studio: Kitchen: you must have a wall or a corner, preset with all fittings - Bathroom: it must be already fitted, and if it is windowless, it must have a ventilation system - A cooking area where to eat comfortably - A day area with bookshelves and TV-holder - Guest space, for day and night - Night area with a bed (usually a sofa-bed) and a wardrobe.

STEP 1: RESPECT PROPORTIONS A small space needs small furniture. It’s all a question of scales and proportions: apartments look bigger if their choice of furniture is proportioned to the space available. Even a few centimetres can be important during the furnishing process.

In order to limit hindrances you can choose sofas without armrests: they have the same dimensions yet give a bigger seating space. Coloured cushions over a carpet create alternative seating areas without being cumbrous, while a pouf can be used as a table during the day and a bed to accommodate guests for the night. A convertible console is ideal to create a study area, and once it is extended, can be a practical table to dine with family and friends.

STEP 2: PRIORITIES! Small spaces have their limits. This is why it is important to understand priorities and furnish accordingly. Some people need a study area but not a dining area.

Others prefer a well-fitted day area and opt for a folding bed. Those who like to have people at home will go for an open space where to meet and to extend a table for group dining. I therefore recommend furnishing according to your own needs, trying not to compare your place to a ‘normal’ apartment.

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STEP 3: LIGHTING In order to create attention and a feeling of space in the whole apartment, you will need light from above, from below and all around. Light is the best way to make your home warm and inviting. Lighting is also a way to visually separate the rooms without having to use walls: it is enough for instance to lower the ceiling above the kitchen with a Gibson board structure complete with spotlights. You could also fit a floor light near the entrance door in order to create the illusion of space.

In the conversation/bed area, you need to place a bedside table and a stand up reading lamp with dimmer: you can then regulate the light to be dim when you have guests or when you are watching TV, or oriented for reading. Improving artificial light does not mean having to buy pricey accessories or complicated technical outfits. Areas that are lit in a uniform way lack ambience and vitality, especially those with a single ceiling light source. Spaces that have several light sources posses instead a vibrant look.

STEP 4: COLOUR OR WHITE? Colour matching and finishing is one of the key factors when dealing with furnishing a room. The dominant choice for furniture and textile upholstery allow obtaining homogeneity, so important in studio apartments. Bright colours like white furniture and lightwood floors lit up the space and make the apartment look bigger. Tables and chairs in transparent methacrylate, and glass shelves and tops give the feeling of openness as well as serving their purposes as dining table or supports for books and magazines. If the kitchen is visible and you choose coloured furnishing, you better coordinate tones and finishing of the different elements, perhaps using the same colour for the sofa, for the carpets or even for the curtains.

Warm colours like red, orange and yellow, jump to the eye giving highlight and making the ambient welcoming. Cold colours like blue, purple and green tend to distance from the eye and improve the sense of space; however, if the natural light is scarce, they may miss expressivity. Natural colours like lightwood or an earth colour evoke a sense of simplicity that comes from their association with the natural world. Neutral colours like white, black and grey can be used to add definition and space to a multi chromatic decoration. The combinations blue/orange, red/green and yellow/purple define complementary colours. One of the best ways to pair them is to use the fairer tonality for the background and the darker tonality to define details and highlights.

YOUR REAL ESTATE EXPERT IN KOH LANTA Dear Client;

Thank you for providing us the opportunity to assist you.

We are glad to receive your request for a property in Koh Lanta.

Thanks for your trust in our long-established company.

We look forward to meeting you and showing you our extensive portfolio in Koh Lanta and Krabi.

Thomas Gennaro - Director

Guava Estates Co., Ltd. / Exotiq Real Estate Krabi [T] +66 75 637459 [M] +66 89 9085990 [E] Thomas@exotiqproperty.com

Krabi - Koh Lanta Office

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Pra Ae, Koh Lanta Yai - krabi@exotiqproperty.com

www.exotiqproperty.com

STEP 5: NOT ONLY STRAIGHT LINES In most cases, studios have a square shape; it is interesting to add a few curves to them by using, for instance, round tables, round carpets, polka dots drapers and elliptic-shaped mirrors. Those with a classic taste can pair a wrought iron and glass table to a roundshaped sofa. As far as stylish furniture is concerned, it is better to limit the number to one or two: there is always a risk that their dark finishing and shapes make the studio look smaller than it is. The new-classic style is the perfect compromise: stylish furniture, chest of drawers and spacious cupboards reinterpreted in modern style: instead of being in wood stain, they are lacquered in white, cream and – why not? – red, purple and blue.

STEP 6: USE THE HEIGHT The tailor made furniture is often the best choice for a studio apartment. The use of shelves and hanging cabinets is an ideal space-saving solution as it leaves ceilings and walls free. This kind of shelving gives an elegant and contemporary aspect to the room as well as giving plenty of space for books and various decorative objects.

What are the keys to furnish a studio apartment then? Minimize the furniture but not the aesthetics, using modular furniture and colours. Pay attention to the way you use walls, floor and furniture, and entrust the expert hands of interior designers who will advise you the most suited set of furniture, helping you to take advantage to the best every single centimeter of your spacious studio apartment.

Stefano Gonella is MD Houseware Sales Manager and designer. MD Houseware is located in Krabi Town, on the Uttarakit Road in proximities of Talat Kao, and is opened Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. For further information on their products and ideas for your house, browse www.mdhouseware.com

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Property Search

Distant Real Estate Properties

N

ew statistics show that the average homeowner doesn’t move very far when they move for the first time. This isn’t always the case however, as the figures also reveal that when it’s time to resettle later in life, the destinations are more ambitious and usually continents away. The prospective purchaser can find themselves with a simple problem: finding and purchasing Real Estate in a distant land. It can be a little tricky for the novice.

Find it, buy it: a tricky task for the novice.

Let a Real Estate Agent help you. Here, Exotiq property guru offers tips buying a home in the tropics, doing preliminary homework from a distance.

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Before too much research is done, you must find a targeted spot in which you would like to obtain property. This doesn’t have to be a specific area, but rather a generalized region in which the prospective homeowner believes a new home would be ideal. And if you are reading this, chances are you have already set your eyes on Krabi as the candidate destination for your home in the sun. The next step would be to search more specific locations whether by an actual tour or by going online and searching Real Estate listings.

Most listings will also include photographs of the surrounding land, home, and any significant factors on or around the land. This can help narrow down a search even before leaving the front door.

Calling or E-mailing a Real Estate agent is the next logical step. The agent will be able to setup a physical visit for one or more properties listed, and will also be more than happy to give out more information for any properties. Once the proper contacts have been made, a homeowner should make a trip to the area. At this point the homeowner should have a list of properties to investigate, preferably around 5 or more. Investigate as many locations as possible as this will.

When the buyer decides they like one property in particular, the next part is pretty straightforward for a reputable Estate Agent. Getting the agent to sit down and meet with the sellers and working out a deal is actually an easy process considering what is being transferred. If delays come along, most of the work can be transferred via mail if a trip back to the region isn’t possible for some time afterwards.

For further tips on real estate searches, our Property Guru can be contacted through krabi@exotiqproperty.com. Feel free to email him and ask any questions or doubt about real estate in the area.

This article is provided to you by Exotiq Real Estate Brokers. With offices in Krabi, Koh Lanta and other destinations in Bali and Thailand, they offer the largest selection of villas and land for sale in the area, with access to an impressive online database. Visit www.exotiqproperty.com or contact 089 7727858 or 089 9085990 - thomas@exotiqproperty.com for Ao Nang, Krabi and Koh Lanta enquiries.

You are one step away from your dream property in Krabi. It is one phone call...

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www.exotiqproperty.com - krabi@exotiqproperty.com - tel 075 661144 - 089 9085990

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