Day 4 – Koh Lanta, Thailand Sunshine and Monsoon

Weather – Another Beautiful Day

Wakening up to another beautiful sunny day in Koh Lanta helps to forget that the world outside is not so nice. The peacefulness of sitting on the balcony and taking in the views and sounds of the morning is something you`d want to happen everyday for the rest of your life.

The sun brings out a little more activity around the resort. Here, like the other places along the beach are getting a clean up and makeover. So the quietness did not last long, the occasional sound of hammering around Kaw Kwang gives us an excuse to depart. But only a few steps to the pool side to admire more of the beautiful views and take in a bit of the sun.

It wasn't long before the heat was starting to take its effect and the water of the pool was a convenient place to get back to a more comfortable temperature.

The sea was just as inviting but as the tide seemed to be out and when it goes out it really goes out, the short walk seemed just too long at that moment.

Weather - Looking a Bit Cloudy

We seem to enjoy the long walks to get anywhere, here. Even with the warm weather the distance didn`t seem too much with the scenery to look at. Along the coast road to Saladan was today’s afternoon walk. Suitable supplies of water carried and off we went.

The Scenery, with the sea to the north and to the south the Jungle that looked much tamer during the day. There are not many signs of civilization here, just the occasional building until we get closer to Saladan Town.

A few road signs popped up and gave a little reminder of what happened a few years ago. It`s a reminding thought that it is unlikely to happen again and disasters could erupt in any part of the world, even your own back garden.

The local wildlife did not seem to care and bulls could be seen grazing along the road side.

Soon Saladan was in view and the restaurants started to appear, quite a few of the shops were still closed here with a few “for sale” or “or rent” signs of businesses that didn`t quite make it. The town is really quite small, but has most things you would need. Bank, Supermarket, Tourist Centres ( well every hotel could really sort out your tickets no matter what you wanted to do or go)

Stopped for food in a restaurant, can`t remember its name but it was next to the aptly named Barr-acuda, Beer, large, and 2 glasses, the food samples was pizza, Thai style, along with a tasty array of stomach filling goodies. The price, including the beer, was under 400THB. All reasonably priced but I’m not sure the pizza will be on order again. But we did come back. Apart from ourselves the place was deserted until a Korean couple popped in, had a cooling drink and then departed on their moped. Oh dear, they should have sipped slower…

Weather - Looking a bit Cloudy

The weather quickly changed with the wind gusting a little and Monsoon downpour starting so we decided to stick around under cover for a little bit. I managed to snap a few pictures before the heavy rains and where a few minutes earlier the town was reasonably busy with people passing by but now completed deserted. I guess the lesson here is when the people of Koh Lanta take cover, you should too.

Weather – Monsoon

The rains did not last long, but this would be the last of the sun for today. Clouds took over, at least it was a bit cooler. Heading away from Saladan we had a stroll down “the strip” we came across the “German Bakery”. We were both tempted here, the O.H could hardly hold herself back at the thought of some thick creamy fruit gateau and I was tempted by the idea of Coffee.

With my normal consumption of caffeine and the lack of any intake for the past few days, I should have been climbing the walls with withdrawal symptoms. The island itself must have been looking out for me, but I wasn`t Lost!

There were a few people here, I guess mostly German, tempted by the cakes and deserts along with us. Although we never talked to our host, we made eye contact and were noticed. A few days later ,in Slaladan, we were greeted with a friendly shout from a German lady as she sped passed us on her moped. It`s nice to be remembered.

There seemed to be an evening market but the rain was starting to come down again, light but enough to make things a bit uncomfortable, we had a quick look around and decided to head back to the hotel at Kaw Kwang.

I should point out here that we only had one umbrella and from this picture you can see I wasn`t holding it.

The rest of the evening was spent around the hotel, the threat of more rain kept us close to shelter. Frogs on the other hand seemed to enjoy the weather and quite often they could be heard calling followed with replies erupting from all around before all going quiet again. One was close and with the help of the flash on the camera his or her little eyes shown out. Location revealed I managed to get a little close up.

A few hours relaxing, it`s sometimes really nice just to do nothing. The night was ended with a last look over Kaw Kwang beach and trying to take some pictures.

I propped up my Canon G10 on the beach wall and set it off for a long exposure. If I really knew what I was doing I might have managed some better photographs.

It was a nice day, even if cut short by the rains. But already the strength of the sun is starting to show. For one of us at least is turning a little bit red and needing a bit of a shave.