28/10/07 - 30/10/07 - Lanta Garden Home 350B

As we checked out of Sachas on Phi Phi she told us that it wasn't cheaper to buy our tickets at the boat so we bought one on the way down... meant to check before we got on if it had been the same price but forgot... ah well!

As soon as we got on the boat the Ko Lanta Guesthouse touts descended, but most of them had a very laid back and freindly selling tactic so we didn't mind and I imediately decided I liked a brother and sister, so there place had my vote.

The boat journey was nice as we sat outside right up on the front wso we had a really good spot.

Mel and Hazel were happy to stop at the brother and sisters place so we headed there and got shown a selection of rooms. We decided to pick the most fancy (as we need a bit of luxury every now and then!), which was a beach bungalow for three with our own little balcony area to sit out at and tv, fridge and fan (definitely a backpackers luxury!). We spent the afternoon playing in the sea and by the beach with Ian who we had met on the journey from the ferry and in the evening we hung out at the bar and ate at the guesthouse restuarant.

The guestouse was a real family affar, Yip and Ra (smiley lady!) were the brother and sister on the boat, an older sis works in the travel agent, a younger one in the restaurant, Mama cooks and the dad does the DIY. There was also Matt, the family friend who works in the bar and the ladyboy (didn't catch her/his name) who works in the restaurant much to Yip's disgust... ooh ad who ian kept "accidentally" (or so he says!) tipping too much!

The area of the island we were on... and further down at long beach is pretty spread out, so there isn't really an area where people go out or anything as everything is so far away from the next place. Although there does seem to be a lot of construction, etc going on. So either they get really busing in dry season, or they're hoping for an influx of tourists soon.

The following day me and Mel headed for a walk to Long Beach where we spotted some gorgeous complexes for the more affluent... which we have already ear-marked for future luxurious holidays.. rather than scummy backpacking... all we need now are some hot guys to take us!!!

We would have liked to hire moto's to explore the island as that seems like the best way to do it, but although it's fairly easy to hire a moto, apparently none of the hire places do insurance... so we'd be screwed if we crashed!

I should be embarrassed to admit that we went for lunch in the 'Brit Cafe" but the food was so awesome that I don't even care. A definite recommendation for anyone missing the culinary delights of England (yes... there are some!).

Mel and I had decided to begin heading for Malaysia, so went for a few beers on our last night with Hazel, once again ending up at the guesthouses Bomp bar, watching Matt and Yip's fireshows, playing connect four and watching Ian play with the dog. The following morning we had a goodbye brekkie with Hazel before leaving her in Ian's hands... aye, aye... and continued on our adventure...