On to Ko Lanta

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After several nights on Kho Phi Phi, we took a ferry then minibus to Kho Lanta, a bit more south. In our minivan we met Zach, a film maker from SF who said he had heard of a nice place to stay called Relax Bay. We stuck with him and didn't have any regrets--its was a gorgeous place to stay, with our bungalow right off the beach, complete with hammock and excellent food, and hardly anyone else around. The next day, we set out on a motorbike, and together with our new friend we toured the island, which takes about three hours to drive around. The island is relatively quiet, and it too was hit by the tsunami--there was a lot of re-building going on, but it was much more mellow than Kho Phi Phi. Kho Lanta's population is 95% muslim, and prefers control development a little more, which was nice. After a moto-ride to Old Lanta Pier, Michael took some time to contemplate his newly grown mustache, and the power that came with it.....
We continued to ride around the island and checked out an overhyped, underwhelming waterfall, but enjoyed tromping through a river in the jungle, racing against the sunset.

The next day, we headed out on a boat trip that visited four more vertical walled rocky islands. More snorkeling, this time on a long boat with about 12 other people. The highlight was surely Koh Muk, which we had heard about from Zach. We pulled up to an island in the choppy swells and were handed life vests and told to get in the water. Our guide had one flash light and told us to swim toward the rocky wall of the island, and we entered a low clearance cave, holding our hands above us to avoid cracking our heads on the rocks as we bobbed with the flowing tide. Inside, the limestone reflected in the water creating a beautiful emerald room of rock and water. We kept swimming in this crazy darkness, drawn to the only flashlight like moths, not knowing where we were going at all. At the other end, about 80 meters, we saw light in the water and came out to face a beautiful white sand lagoon (see photo). An older guy in the group had smashed his forehead and was bleeding since the tide swell was pushing everyone up and down, but he was a tough aussie. After this, we had to swim back through the creepy cave and continued on to more swimming, snorkeling and lounging. We enjoyed riding on the front of the longtail boat, feeling sun and wind.
BB

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Photos

Ko Lanta
One of many small islands near Ko Lanta. Snorkelling was so-so.

Our buddy Zach
At Relax Bay Resort.

Warning....
These signs are all over the islands now...not sure if they were there before the tsunami or not.

BB and bike
Making a stop at 7-11

Long Tail Boat
Took this boat to visit the islands off of Ko Lanta

Morakot Cave
This is the sign after going through the ocean cave. It felt like a pirates of the carribean ride, but you're in the water. Absolutely dope.

Morakot Beach
See that small opening in the background...that's where you pop out from after swimming 80 meters in the dark.

Mike and our bodyguard
Every night when we walked to our Bungalow, this dog would silently escort us there.

Comments

[Momma]

wow...
Too cool.