"Sean Jordan" wrote in message news:...
> Hi everybody!
>
> I posted several weeks ago on this newsgroup and received a great deal of
> useful advice about where I should go in late January for a 9-day holiday.
> The winner: Koh Lanta in the Andaman Sea.
>
> And now, to try and get some extremely specific advice:
>
> 1) What's the nicest-looking beach on Koh Lanta?
> 2) Where's the best swimming on Koh Lanta?
> 3) Where is the best "scene" on Koh Lanta's western shore, not including the
> congestion in the north end near Saladan where the new resorts are being
> built? We'd like to have easy walking access to a handful of beachside
> bars/restaurants/mat bars/etc. But not too much tourist tat.
> 4) The mountainous stuff in the south -- are those beaches more interesting
> than the straight one in the centre? And is it "dead" down there -- i.e.
> does it seem deserted?
> 5) If you could narrow 1, 2, and 3 down to one specific area, could you go
> so far as to recommend a specific resort/bungalow? We're six late-20's
> people who don't necessarily need to skimp and go for the cheapest
> accomodations. Big beds with crisp white sheets are always good. However,
> the idea of living in a ramshackle bamboo bungalow or treehouse is quite
> appealing, and A/C isn't a necessity.
>
> Thanks in advance if anybody has any advice!
>
> Sean Jordan
Sean.
I agree with your choice of Koh Lanta. I was there earlier this year
for a few days and it was my favorite island in that area. I stayed at
the "Lanta Sand Resort" at the top end of Long Beach(Phra-Ae Beach)
for 400B per night, and would recommend it. Their vehicle meets the
boat from Phi-Phi Island at Saladan Village and offers a free ride to
the resort which is about 3-4 kms away. It is a clean and friendly
resort on the beach and within walking distance to most of the evening
action. The beach is nothing fantastic but neither is the more
upmarket Khlong Dao Beach. You can also rent motorcycles from the
resort for 250B/24hrs, and they are not bothered about driving
licenses. The only place worth visiting at Khlong Dao Beach is the
Otto's Bar/restaurant which has a good atmosphere and reasonable
prices/food. There are many beachside bars/restaurants along the top
half of Long Beach, with western music and very laid back atmosphere,
especially in the evenings. A day trip around the island on a rented
motorcycle is the best way to see the island, although the roads
deteriorate nearer the south/west end. The waterfall is not so good
but the 40 min walk to it through the jungle is okay. The National
Park at the bottom of the island is expensive and mostly offshore,
requiring additional hiring of boats. The caves are the best trip, a
bit expensive at 200B but that does include the guide...which you must
have. The resorts south of Long Beach may be also okay to stay in, but
they are quite isolated at night and away from the action at Long
Beach.
Enjoy your stay.
Patrick |