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Located south of Krabi,
and midway between Krabi and Hat Yai, the
province of Trang is something of a mid point,
figuratively, an up-and-coming tourism
destination that has yet to achieve the status
of Krabi and Phuket. It is also distinguished by
offering both coastal and inland attractions to
visitors and it is known for its Vegetarian
Festival celebrated in the month of September
and October and the local filtered coffee served
by the Hokkien Chinese in their coffee shops.
Cruising the coastal
waters, visiting such notable sights as Emerald
Cave and offshore islands, is Trang's prime
marine attractions along with excellent
opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Then, for a change of scene, inland excursions
are equally rewarding, with a lush and hilly
landscape dotted with caves and waterfalls. Hat
Pak Meng beach located at the village of Pak
Meng is known for its sandy white beach while Ko
Hai island, a small island has some of the most
beautiful coral reefs here.
Some
of the caves, such as Tham Phra Phut cave, have the
added cultural interest of Buddha images, while
others are sheer natural wonders. As with caves,
Trang can boast more than its fair share of
waterfalls with at least half a dozen cascades
well worth seeking out. Some fall sharply,
others tumble prettily over rocky steps, but all
are stunningly picturesque both in themselves
and in their tranquil forest settings. Another
attraction here is the Hat Jao Mai National Park
consists of many scenic islands with possible
sightings of the rare sea cow, also known as
dugong but tourists favorite is the Hat Sai Yao
beach which is located on the opposite side of
the island from the mainland.
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