Day 207 (Tues 30 Jan) - Bangkok / Krabi

Up and had our gear packed by 7.30am.

As usual our bus arrived late to take us to the new Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). We sat at the front of the bus as it was crammed with people and endured a 50 minute hair raising journey! Our driver seemed intent to keep the distance between him and the car in front to about 2 feet, whilst driving at about 60 mph and whilst talking and texting on his mobile. We were very relieved to get out of the bus.

Got to the brand new airport and waited for our flight to be displayed to check in. The airport looks like Stanstead airport although much, much bigger.

Wandered round the shops, managing to bag a few chicken rolls as we walked.

Checked in and had a look at the small number of domestic airside shops. It appeared that there were many more shops on the international airside but unfortunately you are not allowed through.

Soon time to board so passed our hand luggage through the gate x-ray machine. When Sarb's bag was passed through the security guard asked Sarb if he was carrying a knife. Sarb responded no and then remembered that he had put his Swiss Army knife in his bag! He fished the knife out of the bag and the security guard calmly told him that he would have to keep hold of it, and on our return to Bangkok, it would be returned. Great idea in principle but seeing as we were not going to return to Bangkok unworkable.

Sarb briefly considered saying that he carried the knife for religous reasons but seeing as it was a Swiss Army knife and not a ceremonial dagger he didn't think this would work. Falling on the time honoured gambit of all folk that find themselves in this position Sarb pleaded his case citing sentimental reasons. The kindly guard suggested we contact Air Asia. The Air Asia rep was very helpful and said we could keep the knife as long as we put it in a bag that would be stored in the hold of the aircraft.

Sarb readily agreed to this course of action and went to fetch his rucksack that Jo was looking after some distance away, so that the knife could be stowed. It was at this point that Jo said that we should stow her rucksack as she'd just remembered that she had a cutlery set in her bag that had not been picked up by the guards! So bristling with knives and assorted forks, her rucksack was duly labeled and shoved on the plane.

The flight took about 1.5 hours. As we neared Krabi we flew over beautiful mangrove covered islands with rivers cutting snaking paths through them.

Got a taxi from the small airport into Krabi town. Found a room at the Grand Tower Hotel on the 4th floor, no lift! However we did get a great view of the surrounding karst islands out beyond the jetty.

Jo wasn't feeling too well so Sarb went off to the Internet cafe for a few hours burning CD's and giving the local mozzies a free feed.

Returned to the room and as Jo feeling a little better we wandered off to a few travel agents to see how we could get to Koh Lanta and to Khao Sam Roi Yot. The Grand Tower staff were particularly unhelpful as were the other agents we tried.

Luckily we tried a place called the Jolly Jumper where when we explained what we wanted to do to the kindly woman she advised us to come back in the morning and she would sort it all out!

Had dinner at a small pizza place over the road run by an Italian. Excellent food.