Perfect day tour. We were picked up at 8 in the morning in our hotel, and first went to the hot springs in an air conditioned minibus. Driver was very experienced and we felt safe the entire trip.
Practically nobody was at the hot springs when we arrived so we got start our day with a refreshing bath, all the while the guide told us about the geothermic phenomena behind the springs. There is a waterfall, and also a larger basin that you can bathe in. Then we went to the Emerald pool, the blue pool, and the crystal pool, which was a unique experience. Photos don't add upp, since the pools are breathtaking.
We then had lunch and were asked of any dietary restrictions, which we had none. We were served very generous portions of stir fried chicken, panko chicken, vegetables, fruit, and perhaps the best Thom ka Gai soup I've had in Krabi. Truly delicious.
There are a few shops in the restaurant area and our guide gave us a tip that the prices here are much lower than in Krabi town or ao nang. This proved to be true so we stocked up on gifts to relatives and other items
We then went to the tiger cave temple and toured the area. A truly fascinating experience, as there are a chinese pagoda as well as a Thai pagoda and several monks of the faiths keeping about the area. You can get your fortune told here as well as pray for blessings for yourself, family, or friends. A word of advice is that on this time of the day it can get quite hot, so you might want to bring sunscreen and/or shades. This is also a perfect place to pick up unique souvenirs such as amulets and so on. Just remember you cannot bring out Buddhas out of Thailand.
Nick, our host and guide for the day was expertly knowledgeable and accommodating during the tour and told us many fascinating facts and stories about the places we visited but also about Thailand and S E Asia aswell. He was very attentive and kind, and asked us if we needed water or use any facilities. A truly unforgettable experience, and thank you Nick for making us feel like VIP guests in your country.