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 19: Simple Breakfast At Simple Life

The day started amazing for us again. In the wonderful surrounding of the Simple Life Bar we enjoyed a great breakfast with excellent coffee. From the shakes to the waffles everything was delicious, although they forgot to deliver a meal we ordered.
To compensate that mistake, they offered us some home made waffles. That’s how you should treat clients when you made a mistake.

Dining at Drift Wood Koh Jum Restaurant

Our culinary journey led us to Drift Wood Koh Jum Restaurant, a mere 10-minute ride south. The ambiance, service, and food were impeccable, with two fruit shakes, two meals, and a salad costing 580 Baht. It was an exceptional dining experience that beautifully concluded our day.

Day 20: Discovering Ting Rai Beach

Thanks to Frank from Luboa, we ventured to the stunning Ting Rai Beach (Ting Rai Beach). Hidden away and accessible via a bumpy road, this beach was a paradisiacal escape, boasting clean sands, minimal rocks, and tranquility. It was a reminder of nature’s untouched beauty.

Sunset and Sounds at Sun Smile Beach Bungalows

Our day extended into the evening at Sun Smile Beach Bungalows (Sun Smile Beach Bungalows), where we indulged in Thai cuisine against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset. Despite the watery shake and diminutive cocktail, the dinner and service left us content. The Wi-Fi connectivity allowed us to work amidst nature’s embrace.

An Evening of Music and Fire

The night was young, and the sound of music led us to a beachside live band performance. Surrounded by open fire, the intimate setting and heartfelt music created an atmosphere of joy and community. We stayed, enchanted, until the late hours, fully immersed in the island’s vibrancy.

Reflections on Koh Jum Hidden Gems

Days 19 and 20 on Koh Jum were a testament to the island’s ability to surprise and delight. From the authentic living at Blue Sky Bungalows to the serene beauty of Ting Rai Beach and the spontaneous musical night, each moment was a discovery. Koh Jum, with its blend of untouched landscapes and warm community, offered us experiences that went beyond the typical tourist path, capturing the essence of our adventurous spirits.

#KohJumExploration #IslandAdventures #ThaiCuisine

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Tag 17: Fährenabenteuer, Coral Bay Resort und Abendessen bei Sonnenuntergang

Unsere Reise von Krabi nach Koh Jum war ein einziges Abenteuer. 😉
Als wir in Krabi ankamen, gingen wir zu einem Reisebüro am Busterminal.
In Thailand ist es sehr verbreitet, einfach zu jedem Reisebüro zu gehen, das dir über den Weg läuft. Sie sind gut organisiert und können dich sehr gut dabei unterstützen, von A nach B zu kommen.

Wir haben die Fähre nach Koh Jum für 1.000 Baht (ca. 26€) gebucht, inklusive Abholung vom Hotel und Transfer nach Krabi für 2 Personen.
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.

Auf der Fährfahrt von Krabi nach Koh Jum lernten wir die neue Erfahrung kennen, mitten auf dem Meer auf ein Longtailboot umzusteigen, das uns direkt an die Küste des Coral Bay Resorts brachte (Coral Bay Resort). Das Resort empfing uns mit einem atemberaubenden Bungalow mit Meerblick für 28 Euro pro Nacht und versprach einen Aufenthalt in der Umarmung der Natur.

Bei Ebbe enthüllte die Insel jedoch ihre felsigen Geheimnisse, die den Strand in eine zerklüftete Landschaft verwandelten und das Betreten des Meeres zu einem vorsichtigen Tanz machten. Trotzdem hat die Insel mit ihrem abgelegenen Charme und der dünnen Besiedlung nichts von ihrer Anziehungskraft verloren.

Simple Life Amazing Dinner - Im Simple Life Resort

Unsere Suche nach einem Abendessen führte uns zu Simple Life (Einfaches Leben), wo das Ambiente so einladend war wie das Versprechen einer Mahlzeit. Der Abend übertraf unsere Erwartungen, denn wir bekamen einen Tisch am Strand und einen weißen Schnapper nach thailändischer Art für 700 Baht. Das Abendessen, das von Cocktails und dem langsamen Untergang der Sonne begleitet wurde, war einer der schönsten Abende unserer Reise. Dabei war Geduld gefragt, denn unser exquisites Essen brauchte seine Zeit und verkörperte den entspannten Geist der Insel.

Tag 18: Bonhomi Bliss und Coconut Beach Enttäuschung

Der folgende Tag war der Produktivität am Strand von Bonhomi gewidmet (Bonhomi), wo der freundliche Besitzer, köstliche Smoothies und ein einfaches Frühstück den Ton angeben. Der Kaffee war zwar einfach, aber die Umgebung war alles andere als das: Sie bot die perfekte Kulisse für einen Arbeitstag mit dem beruhigenden Rauschen des Meeres.

Unser Nachmittagsausflug zum Coconut Beach (Kokosnuss Strand) enthüllte eine weniger unberührte Seite der Insel mit braunem, schaumbedecktem Wasser und vermülltem Sand, was unsere Strandidylle in Frage stellte.

Auf der Suche nach Trost entdeckten wir Rockview Terrace (Rockview-Terrasse), ein Ort, der uns mit seiner malerischen Aussicht und seinem warmen Ambiente in seinen Bann zog. Hier waren der Sundowner und das Abendessen ein exklusives Ereignis, das uns 530 Baht kostete und einen wunderbaren Abschluss des Tages bot.

Die Rückfahrt zum Coral Bay Resort unter dem Sternenhimmel war eine spannende Reise, die mit einem spontanen Schlummertrunk im Peace Paradise Resort endete (Peace Paradise Resort), wo ein Mango-Daiquiri und ein freundlicher Kellner unserem Abend einen Hauch von Laune verliehen.

Reflexionen

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 (Bambusbungalows) 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.
In Thailand ist es sehr verbreitet, einfach zu jedem Reisebüro zu gehen, das dir über den Weg läuft. Sie sind gut organisiert und können dich sehr gut dabei unterstützen, von A nach B zu kommen.

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.

Zusammenfassung

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.