Koh Lanta

After Koh Phi Phi we took a short ferry ride over to Koh Lanta, which is one of the less built up islands in Thailand. We are staying in a really nice place called Banana Garden Resort. I think other than the first place we stayed in Koh Phangan (Rainbow Bungalows), this has been the nicest in terms of accommodation. For the first time we've got somewhere with air con, which really is incredible, I've been sleeping so well!! Can't get used to this life of luxury though. The owner, Annie, is lovely and keeps on bringing us random little treats throughout the day. So far we've had deep fried banana, banana pancakes and a strange sweet which was barbecued in some kind of leaf, tasty.

There isn't too much to say about Koh Lanta itself since there is so little going on here, low season has just started and a lot of places have closed up now, there are very few tourists around at all, which after Phi Phi is suiting us just fine. The beaches are lovely - I don't think at any point there have been more than about 7 or 8 people along the 300m or so of beach either side of our accommodation. There is a little bar by the beach run by a native Indian (he's actually Thai, but it's a cool little gimmick all the same) called Pas which is great. He is an Arsenal fan and showed the game against United so that was a great night! That is about the most eventful thing I have to say, we're really just soaking up the chilled out atmosphere are relaxing on the beach - good times. It's incredibly hot here at the moment as well, up to 40 degrees today!!

Pas's Bar

Took my boat for a spin

Our beach

Tomorrow we head back to Bangkok, that will involve a 14 hour trip by minivan and then coach, we arrive at 5am. I'm really looking forward to getting back up to bangkok now (apparently they have double big macs at the McDonalds there, definitely getting involved), after speaking to a few people we have plenty of things we want to go and get on with so it should be pretty hectic. After four days in bangkok we are heading up to Chiang Mai for four days and might have a day in Pai before heading over to Laos. I'm planning on watching El Classico tonight, it will kick off at 1.45am which means it will be a late one, but if I am really tired it should make sleeping on the coach to Bangkok a little easier.

Favourite tune from the latest Massive Attack Album!