November 2017

We're staying in Ao Nang, next door to the famous Railay Beach, with the intent to take a boat over for the day but Lyle has been confined to bed stricken with food poisoning and the weather is terrible. Ao Nang is a major tourist area but it has pretty much rained continuously for the three days we were here.

We arrived at the Coco Lanta Resort by speedboat via a songthaew (song tou), a covered truck with 2 long seats on each side of the truck bed. It’s a lovely beach with tons of shells, very few boats, and bars and restaurants along the entire length of the beach.

Got an x-ray at the Koh Lanta clinic and Jan's hand is not fractured as thought. Woo hoo! I’ll be glad to swim with all 4 extremities again! Lyle will remove the sutures tomorrow.

Koh Ngai (or Koh Hai) is an island with small strip of beach that is known for its view. There are several hotels and a few restaurants but no shops or services.

Koh Lipe is the "hot new" island far to the south. It is small, there are no cars, and it has two primary beach areas: sunrise beach (where we stayed) and sunset beach where all the boats land. There is no peir and all supplies, people, and luggage are brought from larger ships off shore to the beach by longtail boat. It has a lively main street (walking street) with many shops, bars, and restaurants, but the beaches themselves are quiet. The perfect mix of relaxation and nightlife. The water is visibly clearer, making it ideal for snorkeling and diving.

The Brits know how to party


These boats do 80 kph

Notice the local dog