Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
After spending nearly two weeks in Ko Lanta this was a little longer than expected we where looking for somewhere a little livelier and so we ventured on to Ko phan Nang which is famous for its full moon partyand lively nightlife.
We arrived in Ko Phan Nang the day after the full moon party as we did not really fancy going as we went to the quieter affair in Ko Lanta, I know; we are getting old aren't we! When we got to our accommodation we quickly realized that we where in one of only three rooms that where occupied on the complex. Where was everybody??We dropped our rucksacks and went on a little recce of the area.
It was a lot hillier than any of the other places we had visited in Thailand but the North West Haad Yao although fairly similar in lots of other ways was also one of the most beautiful. We walked for a while checking out bars and restaurants along the way all of them seemed to be totally empty .This was not exactly what we where looking for or expecting. The thing was that most people come for the full moon party then tend to leave the next day after.
The next day we hopped on a moped and drove around the island. It is just as beautiful as most places are in Thailand. We drove round to the other side of the island where it seemed to be a little livelier and more going in. We thought we would take a look the beach the full moon party is held on which is called Had Rin. The beach is actually very beautiful but was much like a beach in Costa Del Sol with jet ski's for hire, giant inflatable banana's and rings. Most of which were being launched at a g force speeds around the bay generating screams not all of which were ones of delight. The scene was typical of a beach on a Spanish island like Lanzarote, Benidorm or Majorca! Along the beach there where signs of the aftermath of the full moon party with the odd random person looking like they have not gone home yet or for the mater knew how to! Not really our cuppa tea but you can see in a way what the attraction was. We soon hopped back on our bike to the nice quiet tranquil part of the island. We got in some beach time after our day of exploration, came across a few signs of life, spending the afternoon with an aging hippie dude. Dinner was in a fantastic restaurant up in the hills with no one else to share it with but ourselves. We quickly realised that we had probably had enough of taking it easy and chilling out and Ko Phan Nang and although beautiful it wasn't quite what we were expecting as it felt largely deserted. We made the decision to move on; but where to?
We woke the next morning in search of some inspiration. Maybe we could chat to some other guest at breakfast. Once we got to the restaurant it was clear that we were the only people there. Everyone had checked out! We consulted the Lonley Planet. With less than a week remaining there was still one big thing on our Thailand list. Elephants. Khao Sok - An ancient rainforest and National Park was on the mainland but would be on the way back towards Bangkok. Here you could stay in the jungle and see and ride Elephants in their natural surroundings. It wasn't long before we were booked on the night ferry to the mainland in search of new adventure.
Feeling pleased with ourselves but also sad as we would be not be returning to the islands and beaches for possibly some time, we went out in search of one last sunset. We didn't have to look far and found ourselves a little spot complete with overhanging palm trees. After so many beautiful sunsets we knew what to expect. What we got was something truly perfect. Jo was struggling to compose herself and even Trev was having a moment! The first part of our trip was coming to end!! Jo went off to find the toilet so that she could dry her eyes. Unbeknown to us the beach we were on was in front an amazing resort that Mel had told us about months before, going by the name of Sunset Cove. By the time Jo had returned we had reservations for the next couple of nights! In a blur of moped activity we had raced to the travel agent to change our departure, phone calls made to move flights and moved home; the two of us clinging on for dear life driving by moonlight, rucksacks on with all the rest of belongings in carrier bags and in the front of the moped basket!
Sunset Cove was our first and last stop of luxury (17 pounds a night!!!) but was another fitting end to our time on the Islands. The weather which had threatened to spoil some of our trip had disappeared. Clear blue skies, brilliant sunshine and gentle breezes kept us by the pool, the beach if we needed it was only a few steps away. With so few people on the island let alone this stretch of beach, it was all ours. The perfect way to say goodbye (for now)
- comments