After my experience with Dengue, I was not physically or mentally ready for travel in Nepal. Even though I had originally planned on only being in Thailand for about 10 days, my plans were changing. I decided I needed a little rest and recuperation and decided to head to the island of Koh Chang. Koh Chang is only about six hours from Bangkok, but it is an entirely different world.
Crystal clear and super warm
I was looking for a quiet beach to stay at. I did not want a lot of noise and partying. I had planned to go to Klong Koi beach, which I read was very quiet and isolated. However, while in the taxi truck, I changed my mind and decided to go to the famous Lonely Beach which was supposed to be a beautiful backpacker haven. I was nervous though about the partying and noise which seemed inevitable. However, I decided I did not want to be so isolated my first two nights. I wanted plenty of cheap food options and I heard that was not the case on Klong Koi.
Lonely Beach was beautiful and I ended up staying at the Siam Hut. I had a beachfront bungalow for $11.00 USD. The bungalow was not fancy by any means, but I had a fabulous view and it was perfect. There was even an infinity pool for me to use.
Perfect beach shack
View from bungalow
Lonely Beach and Siam Hut has a way of sucking you in. It was so relaxing, cheap and beautiful that I did not feel like gong anywhere. I had planned to leave after two but when I checked out the prices, nothing compared to my $11.00 beachfront shack and I ended up staying at Lonely Beach for the entire 11 days I was there. I met plenty of other travelers whose short trip to Lonely Beach had turned into consecutive weeks and even months!
Heaven
I spent my days getting massages, eating fruit, swimming, sunning, running, meeting new friends, watching monkeys and exploring the island. (When I managed to actually leave Lonely Beach!) I felt so healthy and it was great getting back into the habit of running daily! The fact that I was in a bikini all day was definitely a motivator! (I am currently writing this from Nepal in a puffy winter coat and I seem to lack some running motivation!)
Muesli and fruit every morning
Post run selfie 🙂
In the evenings, I ate fresh fish and squid and watched the sunset. I kind of felt like I was in some sort of movie.
Fresh fish nightly
I had to post a “foot” picture!
I became friends with Boom Boom. Boom Boom worked at Siam Hut as the DJ. Even though I was not participating in the nightly festivities and I do not particularly enjoy house music, I learned to appreciate it a little more. Towards the end of my time at Siam Hut, I even found myself tapping my feet to the music. My concern about partying was a legitimate concern as Boom Boom played the music until 2:00 am every morning. My wonderful bungalow was not only close to the beach, but it was also close to Boom Boom’s headquarters. The first couple nights were tough falling asleep, but I utilized my Trader Joe’s melatonin and managed to actually get some good sleep.
Boom Boom and I in his headquarters
Delicious “real” Thai food
Boom Boom introduced me to all kinds of local and delicious Thai food. I started to get good at scooping up fish and greens with sticky rice and eating it with my fingers.
I rented a motorbike for a couple of days and had fun exploring the island. I later learned that Koh Chang is one of the most dangerous places to drive a motorbike and that there are many accidents every year! (I am getting better at driving them and I might have to buy one when I get back to Kauai.) Gasoline comes in glass bottles and you purchase it at roadside stands. A couple of years ago when I was in Thailand, I thought people on the side of the street were selling soda!
Purchasing Gas and taking photos like a super tourist!
Klong Tao Waterfall
My motorbike gave me the freedom to explore other parts of the island, visit other beaches and swim in waterfalls.I hated that I had to leave my passport to rent it, but it was very worth it. I forget exactly how much it cost, but I think it was about $5.00 a day.
There were monkeys all over the island. It was so fun to watch them, but also a little scary. I was always scared one was going to leap out of a tree and land on me. On my last day on Koh Chang, I was walking down the street with a bag of fruit and a very large monkey ran up to me and grabbed my bag! The monkey was only interested in the bananas which he took out of the bag and started to eat. He was a mean monkey!
The monkey thief
Koh Chang was the perfect island paradise to relax on before heading to Nepal. Instead of staying in Thailand for ten days, I ended up staying a month and leaving the day my visa was up.
Goodbye, Koh Chang
A boat just for me!
