After months of planning and talking about it almost constantly, the time for our trip to Thailand was finally here! So let's dive right in shall we?
The route there was Portland-Taipei-Bangkok-Trat. This took 30ish hours and we lost January 2nd in the time change, but who needs it! We arrived in Trat in the evening, with our guest house booked and plans to take the ferry to Koh Chang the next morning. When we got off the plane there, where found out two things: 1) that we could take the ferry right then 2) the guest house we booked was terrible. We decided not to take the ferry that night mostly because we had been traveling for so long and needed a break and our guest house sounded nice.
As the taxi that dropped us sped of we realized, no, this was not going to work. Keith had booked us in Ban Jaidee Guest House, a place that Lonely Planet recommends-but I don't. After traveling for such a long time all we wanted was a nice shower and a quiet room to pass out in. Since there was no one working the desk, we couldn't ask why they did not have a room booked for us, but we did look at the one room that was still available-it was right over the busy street w/no a/c so we'd have to keep the windows open-it was so loud and hot you may as well sleep on the street-aka a room worth the $6 they were charging. Should we have just taken the ferry? Keith went out to try to find anything better and he did!
All the guide books talk about how wonderful Thai hospitality is-we found out our first night! Keith stopped at the Rimklong Boutique Hotel just up the road from the guest house to see if they had any rooms. No, they didn't...but they knew someplace that might. A few minutes later we are being picked and taken to the Baanrimnam Resort-a beautiful place right on the river where we hung out drinking Singha beers (we didn't know Chang beer was a superior beer at this point) and being incredibly grateful for the kindness of strangers that got us to the quiet room and hot shower I had been dreaming of!
The next morning we had to be in Koh Chang by noon. Two taxis, a ferry, and another taxi, we were at the Amari Emerald Cove, the location of Kayak Chang's office. We met the 4 German ladies we would be spending the week with (who were lovely and hilarious) and Andy, our fearless leader for the kayaking trip.
Before I knew it, we were in the water, getting comfortable paddling around in our kayaks. At this point, there is a change worth noting: we were in our own kayaks....not the tandem that we booked and I hoped for. Andy was pretty insistent that I paddle my own kayak. And maybe he was right, maybe I was just being soft, or maybe I just have serious trust issues with my right shoulder, whatever the case is, I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy the trip if my stupid shoulder hurt the whole time. Andy was certain I would be fine, while I was far from sure I would be fine, I did it any way-paddled my own boat the whole time.
With kayaks loaded on the tops of taxis, we were off to start out on our first full day on the water. We couldn't have asked for better weather that first day and really for the whole trip-if you're wondering it was mid 80s-low 90s the whole time.
Views of the islands on the first day.
Andy described the trip as a beach hopping trip and he did not disappoint. Each beach seemed to be more beautiful than the last.
The first night we rolled in to Koh Wai Beach Resort after watching the sunset on behind the island. After doing 18k, a hot shower, delicious family style Thai dinner, and many Chang's was the best way to finish the day!
At Koh Wai Resort
The next morning was overcast and still. For a long stretch we had no breeze, but desperately needed one! While it was incredibly hot, the pictures of the glassy waters are pretty cool!
We stopped for lunch at yet another beautiful beach. According to Keith this beach had the best snorkeling of anywhere we stopped, but me, and a couple of the other ladies opted for a short nap in the shade and watch Russians pose for goofy pictures on the beach.
We spent the rest of the day skirting around the coast of Koh Rang, going in and out of caves. I was freaking out a little bit because of my total lack of knowing what the hell I was doing, but eventually I chilled out-most of the way. The highlight of the day for me was seeing a sea turtle swimming next to my boat-he helped calm me down a little.
We stopped at my favorite beach of the whole trip before we stopped to camp that night on Koh Rang. I know this beach has an official name, but to me it's Cock's Beach thanks to the array of decor at the temple on the corner of the beach. Also it was a completely stunning beach.
That night we camped on Koh Rang. The Thai Navy is based where we camped and they set up our tents and provided us with sleeping pads and all. It was a beautiful place to camp-at the end of the pier, the water was full of algae that was bioluminesce. A bunch of Changs, with the German ladies singing, while playing with bioluminesce algae in the water, made it the most magical evening.
The next morning was my favorite snorkeling spot of the trip. We lashed our boats together and jumped into the water and circumnavigated a tiny island. A great way to start the morning! We left as the boats full of tourists arrived-perfect!
This was a pretty short day that day as we roll into Koh Mak. We had a day and half at the Makathanee Resort. It was a beautiful place to recharge for the 25k day that was coming up (and I was most nervous about!) We ate some amazing food there-including fresh crabs for $6! We had some time to rent a scooter and check out the island and found some strange sights around! If you're ever there-have a cocktail at the Banana Sunset Bar!!
The next day was the long 25k day, but it had a great reward at the end, so like anything, was worth the work. But it wasn't a straight shot-there were many beaches that needed visiting along the way! The beach at Koh Ham is beautiful, but strange. Behind the beach is the partially completed resort that has been left for so long it looks like the jungle is taking it back. Rumor has it the place has been purchased and will be finished soon-but it certainly doesn't look like it!
The reward that night was staying a Tantawan Resort. Beautiful, secluded, peaceful, perfect after a hard day on the ocean...okm not really that hard a hard day!
It was also the location of Keith's first Thai massage!
The final stop was Bang Boa fishing village-a village along a a fishing pier-everything built just above water. It's less about fishing and more about tourists now, but is still an interesting place to stop.
That night we all had our last dinner together at the Buddha View restaurant. So here is everyone: Ulli, Susie, Annett, Ursula, and Andy and me.
And we saw an elephant! Chang is the Thai word for elephant and it only took til the last time on Koh Chang to see one!
So there ya go: the 7 day expedition with Kayak Chang! I did it, I was sore-maybe a little bit more than sore-but still I would do it again in a minute and maybe be less of a scaredy cat next time!
Up next: Koh Kood and Bangkok!
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