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Published: March 29th 2009
Koh Lanta
On the way from Samui to the MainlandSawadee (Hello in Thai) everyone!
We made it safe and sound to Koh Lanta! We found our transportation from Samui here quite comical but efficient. It was much like being transported around like a fugitive! At our first ferry ride they slapped a sticker on our shirt that said "Lanta" in Thai. We were dropped off about 6 times at various points and depots only to be picked up by another boat or van without incident. In the end after 3 ferries ,1 bus, 4 mini vans, 1 tuk tuk and 8 hours later we arrived at the doorstep of Lanta Garden Resort! The scenery on our trip was very impressive especially the jungle forest and limestone mountains around Krabi.
We are very happy with our bungalow situated on a tropical lane in a gated community! A restaurant, information center, two pools and beautiful gardens are on the grounds. The bunglows range from 2 person cabins to huge villas with private pools. We are paying a heafty $20 per night with the monthly rate. The staff are very friendly and will do anything to help you out. I even get a ride on the golf cart to the pool
Koh Lanta
Last Ferry Ride and Mini Van (Note our luggage) at the top of the resort! Many people here are long term and return year after year.
The island of Lanta is quite mountainous with dense jungle, lush tropical terrain and very beautiful beaches. It is about 25 km long and a few km wide. While there are palm trees, the majority of trees are like a kind of cypress tree which doesn't look too much different from the Sask Boreal Forest. The island is more rugged and life moves slowlymaking it very peaceful. It kind of reminds us of being at a lake in northern Sask except a little warmer! The birds, insects and toads are something else. Around 6:45 everynight they start and it sounds like an orchestra!
As mentioned before, the beaches are spectadcular. There are about 6 very long and wide beaches along the west coast. We are on the 2nd one called "Pra-ae Beach" We venture out every few days and explore a new beach and its surroundings. There is a saying in Thailand "Same,Same But Different" which describes the gorgeous beaches, scenery,shopping and Thai food. We are enjoying the fresh watermelon, mango, banana,pineapple and red snapper. Some of the beaches are quite
Koh Lanta
Coast of Krabi on the way to Lanta deserted with few tourists. The local people here tell us business is down due to the airport incident and the economy.
90% of the people here are Muslum so most of the ladies wear burkahs. (just covering their head not their whole face) Another funny thing is whether it is a religious thing or not, is that you cannot purchase any alcoholic beverage from 2-5 p.m. anyday! So you can imagine Warren's face when he tried to buy some beer at the 7-11 at 3 p.m!!
When you stay in an area for an extended time, you tend to get to know other travellers doing the same as well as the locals you see everyday. We have met some people from Ireland, Sweden and the U.S. who live here part of the year, some retired, others younger with kids who go to Swedish schools here. They have been very friendly and have invited us along to different parties at the local beach bars. The beach bars take turns having the parties and music. Most of the bars aare very funky places built in and around trees and odd shaped structures with kind of a hippish vibe. There is
Koh Lanta
Our gated community lane a real mixture of tourists on the island - young, old, familes kids etc. I think it is like Mexico for Swedish people!! We met a couple from Penticton who recently retired and are also in Thailand for 3 months. We had a good visit with them.
I was pretty excited when I found a little beach resort that offers yoga classes every morning. I have been attending every couple of days. As you can imagine the setting is beautiful facing the sea with the island of Phi Phi in the distance - yoga at its best!!
We have had some rain off and on here. We were beginning to wonder if it every rained in Thailand as until now we have had none. It rains at night quite often and about every 3rd or 4th day it rains for a few hours. So it doesn't really effect our plans. It is kind of refreshing.
Some of you were wondering about toilets in Thailand. There are 3 kinds. 1) a ceramic hole in the ground with a dipper in a basin to flush 2) same as 1 except a high toilet and 3) regular with plumbing, which
Koh Lanta
Our bungalow #105 we have in our hotel.
The island of Koh Lanta was hit by the tsunami. The impact was not as bad as it could have been as it hit Phi Phi first and it took the brunt. Still 11 people were killed here. There are tsunami evacuations signs and roads leading up the mountains along the roads.
One day we took a ride along the East Coast. There are no beaches but the scenery is amazing. Photos don't do it justice - many of the views are of numerous little island sticking straight up from the sea. There are lots of ocean view restaurants along the way that we stopped at.
That's it for now. Our next visits will be some small islands, Phi Phi, Railey Beach and Phuket. Take Care Everyone.
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Billee
non-member comment
Love the new dress!
You look mah-vel-lous! Looks like you've discovered another piece of paradise.....other than the delayed happy hour issue! Have fun and stay safe!