Monica decided that we would try "Tanta’s" on the main road near the hotel. It was recommended in the Lonely Planet guide as having the best pizza in town. It didn’t disappoint although it was a bit pricey compared to Krabbi Town but so was everything else in Ao Nang. After dinner we decided on a stroll up the road, away from the beach. We had only ventured as far as the Starbucks coffee place so were keen to see other places recommended in the guide. The further up the road you go the less busy the place seems. Another recommended place in the guidebook was "Dean’s Restaurant". Sadly, the place was empty but there were a few people at a roadside bar just outside, "Mr Long’s".
We decided to have the first cocktail of the holiday at Mr Long’s shack. The cocktail list was relatively large and the prices were a reasonable 150 Baht (£3). Still Monica noted that it wasn’t as cheap as Krabbi Town where the Old West bar’s cocktails started from 100 Baht in Happy hour. I went for my old favourite the Caipirinha whilst Monica went for a Pina Colada as the Mojito was not listed.
At Mr Long's shack.
The Caipirinha was served in a rather disappointing way, where was the crushed ice? Monica was quite pleased with her Pina Colada. However, my disappointment soon faded after speaking with the engaging Mr Long. He, like most Thai people we had encountered on our trip, was instantly likeable. He must be the Thai lookalike for Bob Marley. Super chilled with a constant smile stitched to his face. He told us that he used to own a bar near the beach before the devastating Tsunami struck. It completely destroyed his bar and his livelihood. To make ends meet he went to Bangkok to search for any work he could find. After several years he had had enough of life in Bangkok and returned to Ao Nang. Thanks to family at Dean’s Restaurant, they allowed him to set up his hut bar on their land. He vowed he would never set up a bar near the beach again. No worries on that score here. Its at least a 10 minute walk from the beach but is well worth a visit for a cheap cocktail and the pleasure of meeting Mr Long.
Not from H20 this Caipirinha. Where's the crushed ice!!!
Buoyed by our cocktail we decided to head back down to the beach in search of all the bars that the guidebook alluded to. However, a quick walk along the beach road and not one bar was seen. Most are restaurants. The one bar mentioned by name in the guide was on a back street off the beach road named "Encore Café". We headed for this place but were instantly put-off by the sole inhabitants being an old man of foreign origin and a few local girls vying for his attention. The neon sign over the door could easily have read "Puta Club". It was the only bar on this street so we headed back to the beach and settled down on an outside table of a restaurant that advertised "Happy Hour" on Chang draft. I hope I don’t have a headache tomorrow.
Taxi back from Beach.
1 comment:
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