Was there something else in the tobacco? We were never to find out but our companion was absent at breakfast. He also didn’t join us on the hike up to the top of a hill, where after an energetic climb that left us covered in sweat, we found ourselves looking down on an amazing view of the Phranang peninsula. We could see both the East and West Railay beaches. The bay in which the boats came in looked tranquil and dreamy. It was a view to relish and remember. Is this why rock climbers from all over the world come to Krabi? After taking pictures from every possible angle, we made the long descent. As we had some time before our transfer to the airport, we filed into the Rayavadee library. I’ve seen libraries in hotels, usually set up by default because travellers tend to leave the books they’d finished behind to make room in suitcases for their shopping. That was not the case here. This library looked more like a club house lounge, with plump sofas and armchairs, indoor plants, floral
arrangements, shelves upon shelves of gorgeous coffee table books about Thailand and Krabi, as well as a rack of Thai and English language newspapers. It was once again a testament to the resort’s commitment to create a level of quality and prestige that is met by very few in the region. Our boat arrived and it came time for us to go. We took our bags and waved goodbye to our hosts. It was quite obvious what we were all feeling. After all, who would ever want to leave paradise? Rayavadee is at 214 Moo 2, Tambon Ao-Nang, Amphoe Muang, Krabi 81000, Thailand. Tel: 66-75/6207403, www.rayavadee.com Tiger Airways stopped plying the Singapore-Krabi route briefly owing to higher operational costs and lower passenger traffic during the recent financial crisis. It has since resumed plying the route. Flying out to Krabi on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, and returning to Singapore on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Details and schedules at www.tigerairways.com.
Set in the idyllic Phranang peninsula, Rayavadee gives a sense of paradise as described in James Hilton’s Lost Horizon.
FROM TOP: A Rayavadee employee gathers flowers from the grounds; the Ed; the Phranang peninsula
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images RAYAVADEE
A VIEW TO REMEMBER