After the hectic 2 days, this morning we decided to take it easy. Still we got up rather early and leisurely combed the market place for food and breakfast. By now the novelty of Thai food is waning and the only thing that we fancied was the fruit.

A last look at the Krabi's waterfront and its famous landmark-the 2 outcrops have been said to resemble many creatures.

By 10.00 am we were ready to leave Krabi and first stop Tiger Cave. This is one of the Southern Thailand most famous forests Wats. The main attractions are the 1,272 steps arduous climb to the top of a karst hill and promises of a good view of the area.

Then another stairway leads visitors over a gap into a valley of tall trees and small limestone caves. It is an interesting sight to see how the monks live in this hidden valley.

Trang

That was all the time we had for Krabi. We drove down south into Trang again for lunch. But before that, Zen had not forgotten her kites.

1 Stop over at Huay Yot for Kite

We found a few roadside vendors just out of Huay Yot selling many colorful kites. Ok! We could have a peaceful meal then!

The short stop over in Trang also allowed us to see a little bit more of this provincial capital caught in the modernization trend. Small old buildings with unpaved back lanes.

2 The Sai Rung Waterfall

Once we filled our stomach, we headed straight for the hills and the first fall- Sai Rung. Some kind soul had laid a spliced log across the boulders and we could cross over to the opposite bank to hike closer to the main fall.

This is a large fall dropping with one stop over 150 meters.

The water was absolutely clear with large and deep pool at the bottom of the fall.

3 The Sai Rung Waterfall

The water was absolutely clear with large and deep pool at the bottom of the fall.

4 The Ton Te Waterfall

Enough of souvenir shots; we drove another 25 kms to the Ton Te Fall. The signboard along the principal road coming from the north was vandalized and removed.

 Thanks to my previous visit, I remembered the village with the turn off junction. On the way in I also noticed that the other signboard showing the way to Ton Tok was also removed

5 The Ton Te Waterfall

On this visit, the Ton Te appeared to me rather low as compared to the official estimate of 320 meters. Here is a photograph for you to make a guess.

6 The Ton Te Waterfall

Phattalung

We skipped the Ton Tok falls and backtracked to the trunk road leading to Phattalung. Along that road and after the Sumano Cave area, FK wanted to check out a huge cascade on the eastern side of the same mountain range. We made a right turn into an obscure country track; we saw a couple of signboards in Thai and a couple of minor falls. We were getting a little bit concern as the road meanders around the foot of the range. With some inquiries with the locals and the responding undecipherable direction, we were urged to continue. Another 15 kilometers later, the small track comes to familiar "T" junction of a secondary road that I am familiar with! "Turn right", I exerted my authority over FK and we were headed for the Phraiwan. The fried chicken stall that I promised Zen had been left behind and there were no more hawkers on this rural road.

7 Entrance Praiwan Forest Park

Clever of her to find one at the waterfall and that fulfilled her wishes of having fried chicken at the waterfall.

The water in the Phraiwan was still voluminous and clear. We unloaded what was left of the breadcrumbs and fried chicken for the Kelah {river carps}

Then a pair of "haruan" {Snake heads} that are seldom found in swift flowing waters.

8 Nam Tok Phra-Wan

9 My model in the jungle

The sky was getting darker and we had to leave for our hotel search in the next town!

But, before that she wanted the "cute" rubberized dustbin made from recycled truck tires! No more place in the trunk! Next trip!

10 Both Zen -FK

Hat Yai

An hour later we were cruising down the busy streets of Had Yai. In the 4 years of travelling to Thailand, this was my first trip inside the infamous city. The core of this city or business centre is bigger than that in any Malaysian City with larger and busier crowd. We rejected the hotel that FK had planned for us and took up rooms in one where Zen could walk downtown for her shopping.

Dinner was cheap and good. I left it to FK to guide Zen into this dazzling town while I bedded down for an early night.