Day 3, Thursday 6 February 2014 - Krabi

Unfinished business..... Despite a restful night, the issue with my camera needs to be resolved today. If there's something that I cannot get sorted in Krabi, it cannot be sorted in Koh Lanta. Everything is now on hold as I take a snack breakfast and coffee conserving my resources ahead of a possible unforeseen outlay. Down in the town I begin my enquiries, but I already know Krabi has limited technical facilities here for camera repairs. It's often a case of throw away and buy new but my Nikon is barely more than a year old. At a photo shop in town the owner explains that any sort of technical repair would have to be done in Bangkok. That only confirms my suspicions. However he suggests I go to the out of city shopping mall, Big 'C'. Ok I'll try that as I jump on a songtheaw but instead, an error of judgment sees me at Tesco Lotus. I check here first. These huge shopping complexes are crammed with retail outlets all competing for sales but as I wander around my inclination is to purchase a cheap compact camera for now and hope to get my Nikon repaired in Bangkok. I get the same advice everywhere. Even in 12 months technology has changed. 'Buy a new one' they say. I check in the main Tesco store itself but even here I draw a blank. Their budget cameras are out of stock. There are other outlets to try, so I continue this dual track approach, each time pointing out the malfunction on my camera. I will try one more time then I guess it's off to Big 'C'.
Sprinkling fairy dust..... At the last camera shop I'm greeted with the usual intoxicating smile from a lovely retail assistant. But this one is different. There's magic in her eyes! She seems genuinely concerned as I repeat that same story then before her very eyes the camera springs to life as if she just waved a magic wand and sprinkled fairy dust. I can hardly contain my relief as the assistant simply grins as if she knew all along she had magic powers. I repeat the on/off procedure and the camera continues to respond. However, for those who don't believe in fairy stories there is another explanation. While on the boat tour yesterday I made every effort to keep the camera away from water short of keeping it in a plastic bag. Spray or even a wet hand depositing just one grain of sand in the mechanism could have caused the fault. However, I still believe in the fairy I just met. Don't you just believe in happy endings?
Another issue..... Now I can at last knock this tour out of neutral and into first gear at least, but I'm not out of the woods yet. Since I woke up I've had another inevitable bout of diarrhea, not acute but inconvenient. Thankfully I've been in Tesco Lotus but now as I head back to Krabi it could cause problems. Nonetheless, I've etched a plan which will keep me in Krabi one more night. Sutharat have been informed as I proceed into town to pick up a motorbike. By lunchtime, it's all sorted including my next destination. My symptoms seem to have eased as I head out of town and stop at a restaurant for duck noodle soup. It's just fantastic to have this liberty again.
Su San Hoi..... Translated, Su San Hoi means 'shell cemetery'. To fully explain what this is, is beyond general prose and into geology but basically not far from Railay beaches south-west of Krabi are exposed sedimentary rock formations that are thought to be unique. Their exposure has been caused by uplifting of the earth and eroded by wave action. I'm heading for this area, now part of the National Park. The route uses the Pang Nga/Phuket highway then bares left towards Ao Nang. A further left turn is signposted to Su San Hoi. The distance from Krabi is about 16 kilometres. Just before the Park is a small road leading to the jetty. Here at Ban Nammao you can take a long-tailed boat to Railay for 80 baht. That compares with the 150 baht from Krabi. The boat will wait till at least eight passengers are aboard. This village is Muslim dominated and a prayer meeting was in progress as I arrive. I also need further relief which thankfully is the last.
Returning to the main road it's just a short ride to Su San Hoi. Here there is a visitor centre providing the background to the geology of this area. This is free but entry to the Park cost 200 baht for farang but just 20 baht for Thais. I think I've said enough over the years as to what I think of this policy. In the afternoon here it is high tide as it was yesterday when we were at Pranang Bay. The rock formations are not exposed at this time so it was no surprise that I am offered entry for 100 baht. To view what I wonder. I do however, learn something about the tides. During a rising moon the pull is stronger and the tides higher. As there are no other locations nearby, I decide to head back to Krabi, but it will not be the end for fossil shell hunting.
Wat Sai Thai..... At Ban Sai Thai the road turns back on to the main Krabi from Ao Nang road. A short distance on the left is a towering limestone stack, typical of the area. At the base is a temple, Wat Sai Thai. It must have been known long ago that the land at the base of the stack was part of the inland sea. Consequently, ancient shell deposits are also found here at the temple. I stop here along with a couple of others and the monk kindly shows us the fossil beds inside the cave which are most interesting. Back at Krabi I use the motorbike to go to the night market. By now the effects of diarrhea have receded, but I stay off spicy food and settle for a burger. For a change I have no unresolved issues so can turn in for a good night looking forward to my travel to Koh Lanta in the morning.
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