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| Lanta Old Town pier |
experience tropical paradise
Story and
photographs by Gomase Theenanon
This time the Andaman Sea is
aquamarine blue that makes the sky looks pale, cool breeze was gently blowing;
the Phi Phi archipelago as backgrounder far away. I wonder if life could get
any better. Four days earlier, I had a wonderful time going back to the
beautiful island on The Thailand's southern west coast to recalling fond
memories and experiences.
Who
knew that a small island which size is about 6 km wide and about 30 km long was
voted by globetrotters and overseas travel magazines as one of the Asia's most
popular destinations in 2010. And it was ranked as World's Top 10 Best Tropical
Beaches in 2009 by the Sunday Times and the Times.
Over
two decades ‘Koh Lanta' was known as a paradise for
intrepid
backpackers and pioneer divers who later became expats and ran businesses here
with their Thai wives. They said when they first came, Koh Lanta has many
natural attraction; white sandy beaches, underwater life, stunning scenery and
most of all local people so friendly. Dated back for a hundred year the first
settler was recorded as Sea Gypsies who later had given name-‘Thai Mai' (means
New Thai). In past they were traveled in the sea and living in house boats,
they have occupied the area settling along the coast in stilt-build houses
erected in the sea near the old town and they welcome tourist.
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| Beachfront bungalow at Nakara Longbeach Resort |
Recently Koh Lanta just
celebrated 109thyears of the old town but at the other side of a new area,
signs in English can be seen everywhere along the street even at road side venders
which tells about the wind of change that is happening on this island. Finding
accommodation isnot a problem, there are more bungalows, guest houses, resorts
and daily room for rent along the island's main road.
Nakara
Long Beach Resort is
located on Haad Phra Ae where locals called long beach that reminded me of
Florida's long beach on the Pacific's west coast of USA. The resort consists of
140 bungalows all decorated for cozy and peaceful atmosphere with private
balcony surrounded by rush gardens. I am sure that you can fall asleep to the
sound of rolling waves and insect singing at night time. The resort offer
visitors full services including 3 swimming pools, internet lobby, free WIFI
area and 2 restaurants.
From
bungalow you can walk on the beach or lie down wherever you feel best at ease.
Even though the resort is big but the beach was very clean far away from the
crowd, great for kid playing around and great for all day relaxation.
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| Calm sea with fishing boat at Lanta old town |
During a stay I often sitting
at beachfront terrace which made me feel totally relaxed for watching fisherman
boats returning their home. I met a Thai couple from Bangkok on their holiday
trip. "Bangkok is a bustling city with many wonderful things but at here a
good feeling comes over me and life feels fresh again", said the man. I'm
sure that the island would give them experience of being traveler. They could
then relate their traveler's tales to others just like I'm doing.
Getting
to Koh Lanta is easy, from Bangkok take night bus at the new southern bus
terminal, leave daily at 20.00 hrs. Take 12 hrs. to Krabi then at Krabi bus
station you can come with minivan at cost250 baht. Then they will drop you off
at the front of the resort. By plan from BKK-Krabi please check flight
schedules. At the airport also take taxi service. Or need more information call
Nakara Long Beach the staff will give you information you need at +66(75)684198
or mail to: nakaralongbeach@gmail.com or book your room through website at
www.lantalongbeach.com
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