Koh Lanta....backpackers and gypsies....no more

March 10
Headed to Tonsai Bay to Nick and David (did my two dives with them). They are both from South Africa. I originally told my kids that they were gay....a couple. Apparently, they have been friends for many years. Oops! They had a great laugh when I told them

We boarded the ferry 9 am ferry.

Crazy hair

We walked around Tonsai Bay looking for a top up to our cell phones. After scouring all the Seven Elevens and Fresh Marts, we hit jackpot! Nick and Dave decided they need refreshments.

There are cats all over the place here

Leaving Tonsai Bay

I spent the rest the day around the pool. Nick and David joined me to watch the sunset .

All the divers and dive masters met for dinner and drinks.

March 11
Today is a travel day. The long boat took me to Tonsai Pier to catch my 11:30 am ferry to Koh Lanta. In true Thailand style, the ferry was over sold and crowded. It was a short 1 hour trip.

The hotel is beautiful. My room is a suite... very spacious! When you open the sliding door, the pool is right there!

Koh Lanta used to be full of backpackers and sea gypsies. However Lanta has morphed Into luxury getaways for mostly-European tourists. Klong Dao beach is made of white powdery sand and stretches 3 km. The crescent shape of the bay provides extremely calm waters making it a favourite choice for families. About 90% of Koh Lanta's population is Muslim, making it the most Islamic part of the country.

I headed into Saladin for dinner and signed up for a dive in a few days. Laying in bed while working on this blog, the power kept going out, numerous times. I called the front desk only to find out the whole island was out of power. Power finally came back on about an hour later.

March 12
I'm using a new travel agent for this trip. My original one, Talia, is on maternity leave and may not come back.... yikes! My new travel agent, Clarissa, is young and not as experienced. Unlike Talia, who has been planning my trips for the last 10 years. Anyways, before I left home I had asked Clarissa to please give me all my ferry schedules so that I could prebook my ferries. There was some confusion on the Lanta to Phuket ferry for March 17. Upon meeting the travel rep when I arrived in Krabi I asked for clarification, only to find out that I was going to take the ferry from Lanta to Krabi and then get driven to Phuket....about a 4 hour drive. I asked the locals here about the drive and was told that it could take up to 6 hours, depending on the Lanta/Krabi ferry. Long story short....after many emails and lots of time on Google, I cancelled the drive to Phuket and booked a ferry instead (3hours).

I spent the rest of my morning looking at this view....swimming and relaxing

Then I walked Klong Dao beach, 3 km and stopped for lunch.....
Two of my fav foods....
Papaya salad and a mango shake

IMG_7283

I've booked a scooter tomorrow... Lanta has many caves, which i will not go to...looking for a waterfall, a lighthouse, and some amazing beaches.