After leaving Long Beach Krabi Villas , we decided to head to Koh Lanta. Unfortunately, getting to Koh Lanta in low season at the last minute turned out to be an adventure. After the well organised public transport in Malaysia, where you are informed of every step of getting from A to B before purchasing your ticket and no one tries to scam you, our journey from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta was a shambles.

Our taxi, an open back cab with bench seats took us into Ao Nang to a flash looking mini bus with a driver who spoke minimal English but assured us that his was the bus we had purchased a ticket from through Long Beach Krabi Villas. Hoping for the best, we piled in and the driver headed off to pick up his other passengers. So far so good we though – half full, air-conditioned mini bus and we’re on the road on time!

Unfortunately 10 minutes down the road the driver dropped us off at a tourist bus stop and told us to wait for the next bus. We spent half an hour there eating ice blocks and getting convinced by the local travel agent to book another hotel in Koh Lanta that was cheaper for the same facilities than the one we had booked, had WIFI and was right in the middle of town. Normally I don’t like being talked into things without researching them but the pamphlet looked good and the guy seemed genuine so we thought we’d give it a go. We paid a two night deposit, fearing to pay the full five night amount like he asked.

Eventually our next bus arrived – or rather a ‘bus’ that looked surprisingly like an old red ute. Col ended up in the open back with another passenger and the bags whilst the kids and I crammed into the cab. Another 10 minutes down the road we stopped at another tourist travel agent/bus stop and were told to get out. Another 10 foreigners all crammed into the ute saying they were heading to Koh Lanta too, while we were left bewildered at the side of the road. A wild eyed Thai lady inside told us our bus would be along in an hour so we sat down with some snacks to wait. She also managed to convince her that purchasing return tickets to Krabi through her were the cheapest way to get off Koh Lanta now that they high season ferry to Phuket was not running.

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In other award categories voted on by TripAdvisor users, Thailand fared equally well. In "Top 10 Culture & Sightseeing Destinations in Asia," the Thai cities of Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Ayutthaya all made the list-with Bangkok also being named to the "Top 10 Food & Wine Destinations in Asia." And the islands of Koh Lanta and Koh Samui were both named the "Top 10 Romance Destinations in Asia" and the "Top 10 Relaxation & Spa Destinations in Asia," with Chiang Mai also awarded the latter. "We are immensely proud to have Thailand recognized so extensively in such diverse categories by the members of the TripAdvisor community," says Srisuda Wanapinyosak, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) - New York. "It is particularly gratifying for Thailand to be awarded for its many facets, including beaches, cultural sites, food and spas." Thailand's coastal areas are split between the areas along the Gulf of Thailand (east and west) as part of the Pacific Ocean's South China and the Andaman Sea which is part of the Indian Ocean. Thailand is where two oceans meet : one, the Pacific, is the world's biggest ocean and the other, the Indian ocean, is the world's smallest and least explored. Thailand thus boasts the uniqueness in terms of marine life. We are one of top 10 countries in the world with the highest diversity of marine life

Source: Legend-islands : Guide for wayfaring travelers: THAILAND WINS FOUR ...

After weeks of debating whether to go into Thailand or not, we finally decided to board a flight to Krabi and explore the south Andaman coast of Thailand for a few weeks. The flight with AirAsia was a breeze, although we were the last on the plane and almost missed our flight because two boys that will remain nameless (Colin and Noah you know who you are) spent far too long in the lolly shop purchasing lollies for the plane.

Once in Krabi our guest house had a taxi waiting for us. Its always a thrill to get off a plane and have someone standing there with your name on a piece of paper. Our guest house, Long Beach Krabi Villas was amazing. Around 20mins outside the main tourist area of Ao Nang Beach, the bungalows were set on the tranquil, quiet Noppharat Thara Beach that we had to ourselves most of the time. With the palm trees, clear water and beautiful limestone islands dotting the bay the location was wonderful.

Our room was small and basic, but clean, mosquito proof and 10m from the beach. Apart from the beach front location, the biggest attraction of Long Beach Krabi Villas is the owners. Ae and her family were so friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble, even just a chat. Noah and Hayley really enjoyed playing with Ae’s two daughters.

Of course it wasn’t completely paradise – being that remote meant that power was supplied by a generator that only ran between 6pm and 6am. May in Thailand is ridiculously hot so during the afternoon we sweltered in the heat, checking the clock every five minutes in the hope that it was 6pm already. And unfortunately Colin wasn’t able to find the same remote Internet services here that he had in Malaysia, so working was impossible between lack of Internet and the heat.

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Source: Koh-Lanta : Christina éliminée sans regrets | Fashion Forward ...

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Source: Phuket shunned by travellers | hotel discount miami