Koh Lanta ... last days of 2008

We were so delighted to welcome sister, girlfriend, friends in BKK (meeting point) right after X-mas day. We only spent few days there and then headed on to Koh Lanta altogether. Well not exactly altogether as some of us chose plane, as they are used to comfort :p It was really time for some swimming in salt water, cause until then we had the chance to swim only in a river.

Koh Lanta is a rather big island in South part of Thailand, close to Krabi you can say. Due to its proximity to Malaysia there is a vast majority of muslims there and it was a bit weird to hear the imam 6 times per day during salah. Our bungalows called Lanta River Sand were in the west coast at Hat Khlong Nin beach, where you can find rocky beaches and in between some sand strips.
In Lanta we felt like having proper holidays. The day was starting with breakfast, some swimming and day trips to close by islands like Koh Rok, Koh Muk, Koh Kan, later on a massage by the beach during sunset, some beers for the night and plenty of time to relax, read your book. Of course food was once again delicious and seafood at a very low cost. Needless to say how many crabs and prawns I was eating, as well as fish. Particularly at a small muslim restaurant by the road side all the rest experienced pure local cuisine at very real prices and they couldn't believe that a dish costs around a euro. In touristic places, next to resorts and bungalows prices are at least doubled, but still so reasonable, only the bakery at the next resort was greek priced.
For the New Years Eve we found out that there was a beach party at Hat Phra Ae and we ended up there. In proved to be a really nice night with so many people, locals and foreigners, listening for more than 3 hours to a local reggae band. Dancing by the sea until we were drunk enough to go back. It was already dawn time. During the event we also met by concidence Robby and Billie, a couple that we first saw in Khuzur Island in Siberia. It is such a small world after all. Good luck guys with your stay in Australia!
In Lanta it is recommended to visit the national park at the south end of the island, where monkeys are next to the beach and some small coral reefs at a snorkelling distance 20m from the beach. Ao Nui is an amazing beach really long beach and at the north end is the "why not " beach bar with live music every night. This is where we celebrated Thekla's birthday. K tou hronou me hamogela! Visitor should also pay a visit to Mongo's bar for unique shakes at Hat Khlong Nin beach.
By the time we realised that the small islands around have unique sandy beaches and offer more tranquillity we decided at least to overnight there and here we were, the whole team on board to Koh Kradan.