Day 21: Transitioning to Koh Lanta

Our day began with an inclusive tuk-tuk ride from our hotel to the pier, a reminder of Thailand’s all-encompassing travel packages. At the pier, amidst the anticipation of our next island destination, we sought out breakfast at Mr. Boy Cafe (Mr. Boy Cafe), where the setting triumphed over taste. The coffee may have been forgettable, but the waterside view offered a serene backdrop. Seeking redemption, Koh Jam Local Cafe, with its passionate barista, restored our faith in good coffee, setting the mood for our ferry journey to Koh Lanta.

Upon arriving in Koh Lanta, the expected 10 baht fee per person for entry mysteriously bypassed us. Our exploration for onward travel options led us to numerous travel agencies lining the pier, a hub of possibilities for our next adventure.

Motorbike Rental – The Shock Of Being Back In Civilization

Our quest for independent mobility introduced us to Wyane, who guided us to a motorbike rental – a stark contrast to our previous laid-back experiences. The formalities of contracts and passport exchanges marked our reentry into civilization, a culture shock of sorts after the laissez-faire island life.
We rented a motorbike for 300 Baht per day, but had to leave our passport there and pay in advance.

Exploring Koh Lanta’s Beaches – LYM’s Bar & Restaurant

Settling in at Hassana Garden Home Resort (Hassana Garden Home Resort), we were impressed by the comfortable room and the expressive bathroom design. Our beach exploration led us to Pra Ae Beach (Pra Ae Beach), where the ESC Café (Escape Café) stood out for its overpriced offerings. In search of value, LYM’s Bar & Restaurant (LYM’s Bar & Restaurant) delivered with enjoyable shakes and a beachfront dining experience, albeit with a rather underwhelming pineapple fried rice which was priced at 180 Baht – pretty expensive compared to fried rice without that type of presentation.

The evening was spent on the beach at “The Beach” bar, relishing shakes and the breathtaking sunset, before venturing to the local food market near the harbor. The street food scene captivated us with its affordable and delectable offerings, from sticky rice and mango shakes to chicken skewers.

Day 22: A German Touch on Koh Lanta

Our breakfast with Dana’s friend Clemens at Ina’s German, also known as Nang Sabai (Nang Sabai), introduced us to a delightful blend of Western and Thai cuisine right on the beach. Ina, a German expat, has created a cozy haven with excellent food and a refreshing shower in her backyard – a testament to the island’s welcoming expat community.

Ending the day, we dined at Cook Kai restaurant (Cook Kai restaurant), close to Ina’s cafe, where reasonable prices and quality meals allowed us to enjoy dinner with our toes in the sand, affirming Koh Lanta’s reputation for beachside culinary experiences.

Reflections on our Koh Lanta Adventures

Days 21 and 22 on Koh Lanta encapsulated the essence of island hopping in Thailand – from the simplicity of local cafes to the complex beauty of its beaches and the gastronomic pleasures in between. Each step of our journey, accompanied by the warmth of new friendships and the discovery of secluded spots, painted a vivid picture of Koh Lanta’s unique charm.

#KohLantaAdventures #IslandHopping #ThaiCuisineExploration

The post Island Hopping to Koh Lanta Adventures: A Tale of Travel, Taste, and Tranquility – Days 21 & 22 appeared first on DANA & WILD - The Bonnie & Clyde Of Music.

Day 17: Ferry Adventures, Coral Bay Resort And Sunset Dining

Our journey from Krabi to Koh Jum was nothing short of an adventure.
When we arrived at Krabi we went to a travel agency on the bus terminal.
It’s very common in Thailand to just go to any travel office you come across. They are well organized and can support you in getting from A to B very well.

We booked the ferry to Koh Jum for 1.000 Baht (ca. 26€) there including pickup from the hotel and transfer to Krabi for 2 persons.
As you can see in the pictures, if you are Thai, you pay 250 Baht for the ferry and if you are a foreigner, you pay 450 Baht. But no transfer from the hotel included (which would have cost us additional 100 Baht per person). That makes the way how we booked the most affordable.

The ferry ride from Krabi to Koh Jum introduced us to the novel experience of switching to a longtail boat mid-sea, delivering us directly to the shores of Coral Bay Resort (Coral Bay Resort). The resort welcomed us with its breathtaking sea view bungalow for 28 Euro per night, promising a stay enveloped in nature’s embrace.

However, the island revealed its rocky secrets at low tide, transforming the beach into a rugged landscape and making sea entry a careful dance. Despite this, the allure of the island remained undiminished, with its secluded charm and sparse population.

Simple Life Amazing Dinner – At The Simple Life Resort

Our quest for dinner led us to Simple Life (Simple Life), where the ambiance was as inviting as the promise of a meal. The evening exceeded our expectations, offering us a beachside table and a Thai-style white snapper for 700 Baht. The dinner, complemented by cocktails and the slow descent of the sun, marked one of the most memorable evenings of our trip. Yet, patience was key, as our exquisite meal took its time, embodying the island’s laid-back spirit.

Day 18: Bonhomi Bliss and Coconut Beach Disappointment

The following day was dedicated to beachside productivity at Bonhomi (Bonhomi), where the friendly owner, delightful smoothies, and a simple breakfast set the tone. While the coffee was basic, the setting was anything but, providing a perfect backdrop for a day of work with the soothing sounds of the sea.

Our afternoon exploration to Coconut Beach (Coconut Beach) unveiled a less pristine side of the island, with its brown foam-tainted waters and litter-strewn sands, challenging our beach idyll.

Seeking solace, we discovered Rockview Terrace (Rockview Terrace), a spot that captivated us with its scenic views and warm ambiance. Here, sundowners and dinner felt like an exclusive event, costing us 530 Baht for a delightful end to the day.

The journey back to Coral Bay Resort under a starlit sky was a trek of intrigue, culminating in a spontaneous nightcap at Peace Paradise Resort (Peace Paradise Resort), where a mango daiquiri and a jovial waiter added a touch of whimsy to our night.

Reflections

Days 17 and 18 on Koh Jum were a testament to the island’s dual nature – from its serene mornings to its rocky revelations, and from culinary feasts to beachside retreats. Each experience, with its unique charm and challenge, wove into the fabric of our adventure, reminding us of the beauty and unpredictability of island life. Stay tuned for more tales from Dana & Wild as we continue to explore the wonders of Thailand.

#KohJumBeachAdventure #IslandLife #CulinaryJourneys

The post From Krabi To Koh Jum Beaches: From Serene Shores to Culinary Delights – Days 17 & 18 appeared first on DANA & WILD - The Bonnie & Clyde Of Music.

Day 14: Farewell Koh Phayam, Hello Ranong

Our last morning in Koh Phayam started with a pragmatic mission: luggage storage and motorbike return. Dropping our bags at Tom’s for safekeeping, we returned our trusty motorbike, costing us 200 Baht per day. The rental owner, ever so helpful, arranged our ride to the harbor for 100 Baht per person, ensuring a seamless departure.

Breakfast at Homemade Bakery

Next stop: Homemade Bakery (Homemade Bakery), a spot we’d heard much about but left us with mixed feelings. Arriving just before 10, we found the coveted croissants sold out, leading to a slight disappointment and a contemplation on the hype vs. value after shelling out 405 Baht for a simple breakfast.

Chill Afternoon and Departure

Seeking comfort, we retreated to Bamboo Bungalows (Bamboo Bungalows) for a few final hours of work and beach time before our 3 p.m. speedboat to Ranong. The boat ride, a smooth 40-minute transition, gave us time to book our night at the Iconic Hotel (Iconic Hotel).
And we used book-a-way again to arrange our next day’s bus to Krabi for 760 Baht for both of us, marveling at the ease of online bookings.

We had dinner in Ranong at Barnchuen – this is a restaurant, where a lot of Thais are eating as well. It’s affordable and the food was good. This is a recommendation to get some food there. It’s very basic, but solid. And we had “Bingsu” – a Korean dessert made of shaved ice. It looks amazing and comes in different flavours (Kit Kat, Oreo, Banana Chocolate etc.). It looks better than it tastes. We had the Kit Kat version and the ice was a mix of coconut milk with a lot of water. A Bingsu costs around 150 Baht and there are also hot Bingsus, although we don’t know how these look like.

Day 15: Getting From Ranong To Krabi

In the morning we had breakfast in the hotel, which was included in the price and which was very ok. We were picked up from the hotel for our 6 hours bus tour from Ranong to Krabi. The bus departs at 11:00.
You need to be at the bus terminal ca. 30 minutes before departure to get your tickets (you need to exchange the vouchers from book-a-way to tickets).
The bus turned out to be a bit older, but it was ok. The A/C in the bus was good, so we had a comfortable ride.
There are 3 stops during the tour, the middle one a bit longer (ca. 20 minutes), so you have time to get something for lunch etc.

Arriving in Krabi at Jack’s House

We arrived at Krabi and immediately went to a travel agency on the bus terminal.
It’s very common in Thailand to just go to any travel office you come across. They are well organized and can support you in getting from A to B very well.

We booked the boat to Koh Jum two days later for 1.000 Baht for 2 people including pickup from the hotel. We decided spontaneiously we want to stay in Krabi for two days because I wanted to see the Tiger Temple and Danja wanted to see Rai Leh beach.
Two days of Krabi ahead .
We took the taxi to the accommodation we booked which is called Jack’s house

Discovering A Bar From Outa Space Again: Jungle Bar In Krabi

Before we arrived in Jack’s house, we were passing by a bar called Jungle Bar. From outside it looked very interesting, so we decided to go there for dinner.
When we approached it, it was just like the hippie bar on Koh Phayam.

When you enter it, it’s like another world that you’re entering.
It’s a great atmosphere there. Choy – the owner – is an architect, and his story is really touching because he lost everything during the tsunami in 2004.
He’s a musician, and after having a great dinner and nice cocktails – they also have nice drinks – we ended that evening with Dana and him jamming around and playing a session where she was singing and he was playing the guitar.

The prices in the Jungle Bar are really good as well, and the quality is amazing, so definitely a recommendation.

Late Night Talks With Kay About What To Do In Krabi

When we came back to Jack’s House, Kay – the owner – was waiting for us. We sat down with her asking her about the possibilities to get to the Tiger Cave Temple and she said she could do the transfer. And she could pick us up after that to get us to the pier for the long tail boat to Rai Leh for 600 Baht in total.
We decided to get up early to climb up the 1260 steps to the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi…

Day 16: Tiger Temple and Rai Leh Disappointment

With a 6 a.m. wake-up call, Kay and her husband escorted us to the majestic Tiger Cave Temple (Tiger Cave Temple), a spiritual ascent up 1260 stairs marked by an amusing detour and breathtaking early morning serenity. This energizing start cost us 600 Baht for the round trip.

Our journey to Rai Leh (Rai Leh) for 100 Baht per person was met with disappointment; the east coast’s muddy waters and crowded shores contrasted sharply with our tranquil experiences. Seeking solace, Bark Railay Krabi (Bark Railay Krabi) provided a brief respite with good breakfast amidst the chaos.

Escape to Aonang and Krabi’s Charms

Disenchanted with Rai Leh’s crowded beaches, we ventured to Aonang (Aonang Beach), only to find similar crowds. A gem among the bustle was Much & Mellow (Much & Mellow), where we indulged in exceptional coffees and desserts, a moment of peace before our public bus adventure back to Krabi, which, despite a 20-minute wait, was a pleasant and affordable 60 Baht per person ride.

Evening in Krabi At The Jungle Bar Again

Our return to Krabi was crowned with another visit to the Jungle Bar (Jungle Bar), where we unwound with delicious food and drinks for 700 Baht, reaffirming its place in our list of recommendations.

Summary

Days 14 and 15 were a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences, from the highs of Tiger Cave Temple’s serene beauty to the lows of Rai Leh’s overcrowded beaches. Yet, the culinary delights and the vibrant life in Krabi and Aonang offered a comforting contrast. As we navigated through these days, the magic of travel – with its unexpected turns and discoveries – reminded us why we embarked on this journey. Stay tuned for more adventures from Dana & Wild!

#KohPhayamToKrabiJourney #IslandAdventures #CulinaryExploration

The post Koh Phayam to Krabi: A Tale of Temples, Beaches, and Cafes – Days 14, 15 & 16 appeared first on DANA & WILD - The Bonnie & Clyde Of Music.