LittleSandyBeach

Koh Lanta is split into two islands, Lanta Noi and Lanta Yai. The northern island, Lanta Noi is a lot more wild and has hardly any development on it so we went to explore. Lots of very friendly locals and more monkeys!

Up until 2016 you had to get a short ferry to get between the two islands but luckily now there’s a bridge connecting them so it’s much easier and quicker to get around.

On the northern end of Lanta Yai we discovered a local market selling lots of shoes and clothes at very reasonable prices.

As we’ve had lots of Thai food recently we fancied a change so discovered a local restaurant called Kin Burger that had great reviews. It didn’t disappoint! Smash burger, fries and a drink for 159 baht (£3.65)… now that’s a deal!

In the afternoon we went to Viewpoint on the Bay which overlooks the east coast. It was an amazing view but with monkeys surrounding us and the weather not looking great we didn’t spend too much time there!

The next morning we went to the Butterfly Farm which is a small family farm run by a local couple. The lady gives people a tour and we were first shown an old wooden rice milling machine which is what was traditionally used to process all rice production in Thailand.

We then saw many animals that they’ve rescued including a Civet Cat, Tortoises and a Hill Myna bird (which spoke just like a parrot! Just watch your fingers and eyes!!). Then we were shown a snapping turtle which the man just casually got in the pool with and said ‘don’t worry it doesn’t bite me…’

They also had a few cows and also about five buffalo’s including two very rare white buffalo that are considered symbols of good fortune, purity and power in Thai culture. Last year an albino buffalo sold at a Thai auction for 18 million baht (£413,700!).

To pay for all the feed for the animals they have a large mushroom farm that they sell at the local market. They looked very tasty!

We then took a look inside the butterfly enclosure which was very pretty with lots of nice and exotic plants and flowers.

The next day we headed back to the Old Town to check out the Koh Lanta Community Museum that shows the history of the sea gypsies who originally inhabited the old town and used as a base and port.

Unfortunately most of the information was in Thai but we got the general idea and enjoyed our look around.

Yesterday we went to Mu Ko Lanta National Park. It’s right at the south of Lanta Yai and has a lighthouse, amazing beach and also a hike through the jungle.

The lighthouse Pachchotiwachirapha Lighthouse (don’t ask us to pronounce this). The original was built in 1927 but was damaged beyond repair and replaced in 1971.

The beach is called Ta Nod and is spectacular. Hardly anybody around, absolutely no trash and very soft sand.

We then started the ‘2km’ hike which was definitely longer than that! Lots of steep steps, trees fallen over the trail and collapsed bridges…

Then just as we thought we’d made it out without seeing too much wildlife we nearly stepped on a leech and then Tasha came within 30cm of a Red Necked Keelback snake which slithered across the path. Our pace of walking soon sped up after that!

For lunch yesterday we went and tried out Baja Taco as we’d seen very good reviews and agin we weren’t disappointed. We both got a ground beef taco which is all freshly made and very tasty. The fried jalapeño was an added treat as well!

Today we just did some shopping in the main town area and explored a traditional 20 baht store that sells everything from saucepans to chairs.

We’ve decided to extend our stay for the third time to make it two weeks on Koh Lanta as we don’t want to leave!