Next stop: koh lanta
After a week it was time to move on - with some reluctance, especially as the weather has been gradually improving. However the night we left it started to rain heavily again and continued right through until breakfast. We had a leisurely drive up via old Takua Pa, well up into the hills above the port, then by back roads through mountainous heavily wooded countryside, and down the other side to Phang Nga, mostly in sunahine, dodging the clouds - very beautiful part of the country.
This is the start of the limestone countryside that stretches from Krabi well up the coast and produces spectacular jagged mountains and islands out into the Andaman Sea. Then continuing on through Krabi eventually to the car ferry to Koh Lanta. This is a jolly affair, brightly painted with landscapes and palm trees but otherwise a purely utilitarian vehicle that wheezes its way across the narrow strait.
In fact there's a second, smaller ferry too, because the island is split in two by another narrow stretch of water.
The Layana is a much grander affair than the Haadson - owned by south Africans, the rooms are arranged in small pavilions around a huge lawn that somehow gives the place a colonial feel. There is a huge pool leading down to the beach and restaurant and bar for sunset views. The beach is much smaller than at the last place, and rather more populated, but still a fantastic place to be.
We spent five days here and it was hard to find fault with anything - the staff friendly and efficient but not at all formal, fantastic food, both Thai and European, comfortable room, beautiful beach, and excellent weather.
We also dropped by some of the beach bars at night for a Chang beer and the inevitable fire juggling show accompanied by Thai reggae. Laid back or what?
This is the start of the limestone countryside that stretches from Krabi well up the coast and produces spectacular jagged mountains and islands out into the Andaman Sea. Then continuing on through Krabi eventually to the car ferry to Koh Lanta. This is a jolly affair, brightly painted with landscapes and palm trees but otherwise a purely utilitarian vehicle that wheezes its way across the narrow strait.
In fact there's a second, smaller ferry too, because the island is split in two by another narrow stretch of water.
The Layana is a much grander affair than the Haadson - owned by south Africans, the rooms are arranged in small pavilions around a huge lawn that somehow gives the place a colonial feel. There is a huge pool leading down to the beach and restaurant and bar for sunset views. The beach is much smaller than at the last place, and rather more populated, but still a fantastic place to be.
We spent five days here and it was hard to find fault with anything - the staff friendly and efficient but not at all formal, fantastic food, both Thai and European, comfortable room, beautiful beach, and excellent weather.
We also dropped by some of the beach bars at night for a Chang beer and the inevitable fire juggling show accompanied by Thai reggae. Laid back or what?
posted by Keith at 10:23 am
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