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Published: April 26th 2011
After a slow and relaxing day, we decided it was time for more. Lanta (as the locals call it, koh means island so we shant be redundant here) was done with and we went looking for more spicy adventures.
Our last meal at Lanta warrants at least a paragraph: we eventually found a place run by the two smartest women on the island. Two native Lanta sisters who understood the art of providing choices to their customers and catering to the tourists' palette without affecting the authenticity of the food. Enter fusion Thai food in a contemporary concrete and wood built hut, decorated the island way, with hammoks and bean bags. This is what the 7+ year European expats called home for what it appears: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hey, if it ain't broken... don't fix it!
During a thunderstorm rain shower blackout, we met a Swedish guy and his girlfriend who were house-sitting for a Thai friend while he was away. Apparently island law has it that if you own vacant land, anyone can claim it and build on it! The Swedish guy in question was a well cultured skipper who suggested that sailors were the most friendly
people who are always looking for an adventure... This idea sent my mind conspiring!
The next morning, we were due to depart for Koh Rok, an untouched and remote island protected as a national park. We are officially in the low season so all trips to Rok are cancelled. In order to make it happen, I had to walk on the beach and find at least two more people to join the expedition in order to make it viable for the people running the trip. Easily enough, a French and a Canadian girl were onboard!
We stopped en route to visit Koh Mok. An island that looked like a volcano with a secret that sadly today no longer remains a secret. We arrived just as high tide was at its highest, yet our guide (with a flashlight on his head) didn't let something like nature stop him from taking us into an 80 meter wide, pitch black cave only high enough to fit our heads. We had to time our entrance just as one wave crashed against the mouth of the cave and another prepared the same fate. We followed blindely only to be magically surprised by an
emerald cave. On the other side was a small beach that was private at that moment, rewarding the brave! We were at the epicentre of this empty volcano, bathing in emerald colored water and contemplating the natural beauty of the forest that covered high cliffs! This once secret pirate hiding place had become a popular tourist destination.
Next stop Koh Kraden for lunch and a bathroom break. Nothing to write home about but blue clear waters, and delicious, spicy chicken curry cooked by Taned, our guide.
Koh Rok was next! As a protected national park, no development is allowed on these tiny twin islands, separated by a 200 meter clear water channel and wide white sandy beaches. Finally, our quest for the smallest, most virgin island was over! Again as this was low season, the island was all ours to camp on a la belle etoile (among some blood drenching insects). We went snorkelling around the island, the coral was much more alive boasting several varieties of fish in different shapes, sizes and colors. Our showers were just as exciting: as we're scrubbing away in the open air showers on the campsite, along strolled a family of gigantic
iguanas! ( just for you OT. As if "honey i shrunk the kids" size spiders that morning weren't enough)
After building the tents, Dina and I went for a walk on the beach as the others prepared dinner. Witnessing the most beautiful sun set, and at the right place at the right time, we met an Australian couple and their 26 year old son on the beach. "Oie mate" sparked a conversation.
Next thing we know, we were setting an alarm for 4 am, bound for Koh Lipe! Never hitch hiked a day in our lives and the day we did, we were sailing on a catameran across the andaman sea!
Dina couldn't sleep in her tent so she went to bed as soon as we got to the modern comforts of "Captain Jack." I however went on helping Peter (Jack's brother) to set sail. Sadly there were no winds to fill the sails, so we motored on for a couple of hours... Just as good, lying on the nets at the front, Peter and I had an amazing cup of coffee (yes nescafe but oh what an experience!) Sumatra to our right was just as its
name indicates: stormy. Lighting the dark sky in the distance with beautiful thunder. Thailand's Andaman coast to our left boasted a clear night with a full moon accentuating the beauty of its mountainous front, while Malaysia just ahead of it gave us one of the best sunrises I have ever seen. What a cup of coffee that was! With one eye still closed, Dina sleep walked to join us.
Fresh fruit and delicious omelettes were served by our gracious host, Sharon. A few hours in, we stopped to snorkel at an island in the middle of nowhere.... Just a rock without a name and finally got to see some exciting fish! Ok I'll admit I was the first out of the water once I spotted the angry looking eel. But the coral was alive and the variety of the fish even more impressive. So you can imagine the disappointment it was when Lipe ended up being your classic tourist trap. But definitely no regrets! We parted ways that night, our hosts headed to Malaysia and we hopped off to enjoy a night on the island before heading back the next morning.
It was the end of the
high season so to our surprise, all speed boats going directly to Lanta were discontinued. Our only option was to take a boat and two buses to get back to Lanta to get our luggage. It was a long day back but those few days were definitely the highlight of our island advenures.
We have now just started discovering the North of Thailand, ziplining this afternoon and trekking tomorrow, so we'll be back soon with some exciting updates!
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maman
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ébahie
On reste muet devant les photos, en les fixant, on a même l'impression d'y être, quelle découverte!!!!! et je suis sûre que l'effet serait encore plus fort si je comprenais la totalité du texte, mais le peu que je saisi est suffisant pour que je comprenne l'ampleur et l'intensité de votre bonheur, un bonheur que vous arrivez à véhiculer par vos commentaires. Bsahetkoum et bisous à vous deux