Tup Island - Visit When The Tide is Low @ Krabi [Thailand] #tupisland

The blob that appeared ahead of us was so small; i wonder what would be the key interest with so many speedboats "parked" around the island known as Ko Tup! 

Have you ever seen boats giving way to each other so that another one can squeeze in? We did and it was quite a simple affair involving slower speed, and staff members pushing the neighboring boats to make space.

It was an eye-opener for me though! See how wide a space we were given; you would never have imagined that before then, it felt impossible for a space to be open up.

Alighted; this was the point when i regretted not bringing my snorkeling shoes.

Stones, boulders, rocks i can accept but not when they were covered with barnacles / limpets given the significantly higher chance of getting yourself cut! So, please navigate with care.

Reaching the section where there's a natural sand bank connecting to another island. Not that interesting in my opinion and even more so when there were so many visitors crowding the space.

Sole retail store doing a roaring business! 

Longtail boats; the iconic yet traditional water vessels in Thailand. Even though we have been to Thailand a few times for relaxing, beach vacations, we have never taken the long-tail boats as their speed on water is not as fast as speedboats. 

Tide might appear to be low but it's sadly not. Should it be at its lowest point, we would be able to check out the key interest for Tup Island. 

Once the sea level drops down to its lowest level for the day; a sand bank would appear and we can literally walk over to the adjacent island which i blogged earlier; the chicken head island! 

Well, no point getting affected; my life continues.

Given the scenery, people were flocking to this area for photo-taking. Problem is the cluster of rocks and i even chanced upon a lady who cut her finger while pushing herself up using the rocks for stability.

More photographs for your viewing pleasure. It was beautiful but the thought of getting myself cut prevented me from taking a swim. Furthermore, i enjoy snorkeling more than swimming and there didn't appear to be much corals.

Even Alex was happy just soaking his feet. For me, i am the lazy kind who would always look out for places to sit, especially when there's nothing much for me to do! 

Just too many dangerous boulders and i am not risking my butt! Any cut would mean an excruciating pain whenever i need to sit; and i love to nuah around everywhere, like a snake! 

Finally found a spot with shelter and smooth surface. 

Wait; this gentleman was wearing just his underwear?! While some swimming trunks might be mistaken as underwear; i think this was a pretty clear-cut case. I can see Calvin Klein on the waistband. 

Anyway, time to leave! 

For the post on this popular 4 Islands Tour 
(Speedboat) via Krabi @ Sea Tour, click here.

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Click here for the itinerary of my 

four-day, three-night visit to Krabi

My Encounters with Bearded Dragon, Chameleons, Geckos, Stick Insects, Leaf Insects and Praying Mantis!

Like many people, i do not think kindly of reptiles and insects although i don't have a phobia towards them, except for snakes. However, my eyes were "opened" when i visited my friend in Malaysia recently. 

One room was reserved solely for his pets and they are definitely not your usual cuddly kind like dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas etc! As the subject title has obviously pointed out; it's a collection of cold-blooded reptiles and insects! 

This is one of the two geckos he has and boy were they tame! While the nails were a bit sharp, the most important thing is that they don't bite. And don't you think their black, white patterned eyes are so beautiful!? 

The male chameleon; the cage might be small but it took me about 30 seconds to find it as it camouflaged itself real well. This one apparently has the tendency to bite and even though i am curious on how "bad" it could be; my friend's reply that it could draw blood is a major deterrent to curb my curiousity. 

Female chameleon; showing shades of pink (which was due to the lights installed), she was apparently a bit stressed due to the laying of eggs in the past week. So no touch too as chameleons have the tendency to die suddenly due to stressful conditions.

Stick insects, leaf insects and praying mantis! It's amazing how nature is able to create such wonderful creatures that blend in so well with the natural environment! I was offered a few stick insects to bring home but i had to decline in case i get too attached to them and their lifespan is only about a year.

An extremely pretty praying mantis that's still pretty young. My friend said this would be a great beauty once it's bigger! Just a little trivia about praying mantis; it's natural for the female to kill the male after mating! Yes, no love at all. 

Largest pet in the room; the bearded dragon! 

Adorable and photogenic; i was so captivated by it and might even have that slight intention to keep one! The picture doesn't quite give a good gauge on its size but it's about an arm's length. If you prefer something bigger (and also as docile), you can consider the Argentine red tegu lizard; there's a famous one called MacGyver the Lizard. 

My friend said i am lucky as i happened to chance upon freshly laid eggs by the female bearded dragon. So fresh; the egg shells were still relatively soft when i touched them! 

Given the need for constant temperature and humidity, the eggs have to be separated although at this time, you wouldn't know if they were fertilized. It's a waiting game of about two weeks before you can check for embryos (using a torchlight). 

Lao Beijing (老北京食堂) - Ala Carte Menu at Velocity@Novena [Singapore] #laobeijing

A fond memory of Lao Beijing involves Alex at a meal we had about 14 years ago at its Plaza Singapura branch (closed down since); we were halfway through and he just dozed off! Yes, like a baby! 

It was their signature hi-tea buffet that we had then but this time; dinner was at its only remaining branch in Velocity@Novena and it shall be ala-carte as my almost 40-year-old body isn't able to indulge as much food as i used to. 

Shall leave the ordering to my secondary school friends (one of whom stretched back to my kindergarten days) as the ladies would likely be pickier than i am! To be fair, i don't think i am okay with anything too! 

Dace with Black Bean and Romaine Lettuce - this would be one of the things i am not that keen in as i am not likely to order vegetables when i am outside. They tasted alright although again; not impressive enough to warrant a reorder in the future. 

Braised Fish with Picked Cabbage and Chilli - despite my love for the expensive mala sold in many hawker centres and food courts nowadays, i am not a huge fan of numbing spiciness! 

Truthfully, it looked innocent enough but we shouldn't judge a dish by its appearance! The spiciness hit like a hammer! I think this will appeal to those who enjoy the initial sting in their mouth follows by a numbing sensation.  

Steamed Juicy Meat Bun (Xiaolongbao) - many a time, i have been disappointed by xiaolongbao. Not the ones from Lao Beijing; the delicious meat juice was encapsulated by a thin layer of dough skin and it was shiok to have with a few raw ginger strips soaked in vinegar! 

You know what's the best thing? You can have your fill of raw ginger strips from the container placed on each table! Isn't that thoughtful?! I hate it when i ask for extra and the amount given to me is always so pathetically little! 

Beijing Style Pork Pancake - i ever tried this kind of pancake before and found them lacking of meat. This was fried to crisp, like our local roti prata and it was surprisingly good with a tasty meat filling that's mixed in with onions. Love it in fact! 

Pan-Fried Onion Pancake -some people can't stand the aroma of spring onions; not me though. The fragrance was so enticing as my teeth sank into the pancake; the filling was generous and it was appetising enough for me to keep going for it.

Red Bean Pancake - yes, yet again a pancake even though this would be considered a dessert! To be honest, its appearance seemed to suggest a thicker dough and a thin layer of red bean paste; factors that are "failed" in my opinion.

Turned out to be another nice surprise; it was indeed thick but the combination was perfect; with an equivalent indulgence for both the dough and the paste. That's a shock as the usual me would have lamented about the lack of red bean paste. 

Lao Beijing Peking Duck - when it comes to dishes involving duck, i must admit peking duck ranks high top on my list and since we are at Lao Beijing; i think it makes total sense for us to order their peking duck which came in either half or whole duck. 

Meat was succulent and the roasted skin was thin; while it was pretty good as a whole package, i did find the fat level to be on the low side (compare it to the authentic one i had at Beijing Quan Ju De) and also, the "wrap" was a bit stale although it's hardly noticeable with the meat, the sweet bean sauce sauce, cucumber and the spring onion. 

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Address

238 Thomson Rd, #02-11/12,

Velocity @ Novena Square, 

Singapore 307683

Website

https://www.laobeijing.com.sg/

Pricing

Dace with Black Bean and Romaine Lettuce - S$16.80

Braised Fish with Picked Cabbage and Chilli - S$28.00

Steamed Juicy Meat Bun (Xiaolongbao) - S$8.00

Beijing Style Pork Pancake - S$8.80

Pan-Fried Onion Pancake - S$5.00

Red Bean Pancake - S$8.00

Lao Beijing Peking Duck - S$34.00

(Subject to Service Charge and GST)