Who would not love a place with waves I can play with – 04.01.15
>>>>>
A place that reminded me of the southern part of Zambales except the waves, this place called Phra Ae / Long Beach was my first of first hop in Koh Lanta. With just the right amount of waves, spent most of my day on water and occasionally out to cool with beer and people-watch other travelers either as families or solo ones reading or just being lazy while getting their tan (which my version of darkness I already acquired as early as the previous day).
Latter during the day was when I found out this interesting nightlife this place has as the bars seemingly have this agreement that only one bar in the area would hold an ‘event’ for the night (which at that time was my hostel’s bar Treehouse). ‘Event’ happened on the latter part of night though as in previous, it again rained and there was even black-out in the entire area which drove me to talk with my roommate whose fear reminded me that we were in an area once struck by tsunami.
Last hours in the area the following day spent walking around the area’s early quiet, which included this discovery a hostel just right across mine that looks as interesting as The Circle as well as a simple Thai pancake breakfast carinderia style before finally negotiating a tuktuk ride off to the next beach on the southern end of Lanta.
Left the island of Ao Nang, Krabi at around 10 in the morning via a reserved ferry and enjoyed my first ferry ride on and off deck. I initially planned to stay on deck for the rest of the trip but it felt like my already burned skin could no longer take it so I settled for a seat on the airconditioned area, occasionally going up just whenever.
There were interesting stopovers/transfer in between, first one I initially thought to be due to a broken ferry. Next one however confirmed that it was just part of the itinerary as some tourists had to be dropped off somewhere maybe off to other parts of the tour.
Bye bye, Ao Nang! Until next time (and I wonder when)
~~~
I envy this stranger. Then again, my skin had too much by then!
~~~
Sandbar spotted! Can you see those humans who seem to be walking on water?
~~~
Window seat secured
~~~
Less than 5 minutes onboard and we semi-stopped. I thought these tourists were stranded!
~~~
So challenging to have a decent photo
~~~
Minus the figure, this could have been a nice candid shot
~~~
That’s a thumbs up, you dirty mind. 😀
~~~
Transfer ongoing
~~~
Boats’ closeness dependent on strength of this man
~~~
Haven from the heat
~~~
What are those floaters?
~~~
Hello there, Lanta!
~~~
Look at those bags!
~~~
Aww. No one was waiting for me 😦 (Just kidding! )
For this island, I meant to go to two different beaches – first of which Phra Ae or Long Beach which is nearer the pier (so more on the north side). According to my research prior to the trip, it is supposed to be one of the crowded beaches. I decided to go for it though because the beaches on the northern part are said to be finer sand and the water more calm.
Tuktuk is probably the most popular (or only?) form of public transport in the area so except maybe arrangements can be made with the hostel, that is the only way to go. It was a breeze for me to get one. I realized later on though that the driver charged me to double for what I should have paid for. It turns out that Lanta has standard rates per island. For Long Beach, that should be around 70baht. He charged me 150 baht which could have actually gotten to Klong NIn, which is my second stop at Lanta.
Why did you overcharge me, Sir? Tsk.
~~~
Blur implies that we were moving
~~~
At least in here they still have Freedom Bar
(Freedom Bar is a known place for gigs in the metro in Manila.Sadly though, it closed a few years ago)
~~~
Not too many people! :))))
~~~
So obviously – in every place I go, this panoramic shot could not be missed
~~~
Because I wanted a clearer proof that I was there!
~~~
How cute is this family!
~~~
.. and these beach bummers too!
~~~
My first spot by the swing
~~~
This bright kind of day
~~~
Yep, it was a bright kind of day then this horror of feet happened 😀
~~~
Funky Fish Restaurant has got to have the coolest lounge in the beachfront options
~~~
My first bottle in the island! (An ice cold one at that! Realized too that that handle actually works!)
~~~
What I could see
~~~
From another angle, what I could also see
~~~
Not as crowded as I expected. NICE
~~~
Just the right amount of people
~~~
Those were from crabs, I think? They looked like small palm trees though, right?
~~~
Some kind of chime
~~~
Those trees I heart
~~~
…and that ‘horizon’ too
~~~
What is kilig.
~~~
Look at those rays.
~~~
Two human sticks from afar
~~~
Where my stuff are
~~~
Interesting bottle/sand art in there
~~~
Exploring the side streets
~~~
Lazy beach dog!
~~~
A bookstore! :)))
~~~
My not-so-funky hostel
~~~
First decent food in the island (or was it for the entire trip?)
~~~
That free pink drink supposedly could counter the spicy taste. And it did!
~~~
My favorite time of day
~~~
Yep, still my favorite time of day
~~~
Some odd seashore performance
~~~
Howkey. So it was hard to describe the trick he was doing
~~~
It was badly captured but I remember this happy moment between these friends
~~~
And here we go again, Mr Performer! Now with a sort of glass ball
~~~
Am still at my cozy spot
~~~
Those lights add to charm
~~~
Some wall decor I saw in one of the bars (which sadly had no live music for that night)
~~~
Didn’t realize I dropped this coin here
~~~
Another snobbish dog
~~~
A yummy snack find
~~~
What is beauty
~~~
Reminded me of The Circle in the Philippines
~~~
Would probably stay here the next time
~~~
LOVE.
~~~
Stoned.
~~~
Let’s put these used bottles to use
~~~
Okay. So that place is called Clayzy. Maybe I, being this crazy, belongs there
~~~
Tried to check whether there is something I can explore on the main road. None, by the way.
~~~
This just shows how alive nightlife in this area relatively is
~~~
Thaim Out a personal favorite
~~~
Hmm. Is this the same Pure Vibracion I heard from a friend about a few years ago?
~~~
Sure. Fitness first. Then tattoo
~~~
Perfect for insomniacs
~~~
I don’t know whether female or ladies night should make me happy
~~~
Somewhere else.
~~~
Sea equally looks beautiful in the morning
~~~
And crowd more chill as ever
~~~
Of course, the dog would not come anywhere near me
~~~
My beach buddies
~~~
Forced to drink regular Coke. Ugh
~~~
At least the Thai pancake was simple was good
~~~
The chaos in packing
~~~
No evidence from last night’s ‘party’
~~~
Guardcat
~~~
Oh so there you are, Funky Monkey!
Spotted on my way to Klong Nin
~~~
My lady tuktuk driver
~~~
HOW TO GET THERE:
Lanta is a ferry boat ride away from Ao Nang, Krabi. I booked via Phuket Ferry for USD for USD 17.60 from Nopparat Pier in Ao Nang to Saladan Pier in Lanta.
Tuktuks and rented motorbikes are most common forms of transport within the island. Since I cannot ride a bike/motorbike, I had to take the tuktuk which damaged me 150 baht from pier to Phra Ae (which I would later on know to be overpriced as it should have been 90 bath). For most tourists though, it looks like most prefer motorbikes as seen in many stores along the road that sell gasoline.
Read my TripAdvisor review of Lanta Paragon Resort here
I am no travel planner. 
One thought on “[Ko Lanta] ~ Taking the Less Traveled, Enjoying Phra Ae’s Soft Waves”