Island feeling on Koh Phayam

17.01. to January 29th: With the speedboat we reached Koh Phayam in 40 minutes - our last stop on our 7-week trip. We also ended our trip there 11 years ago. Back then there was no speedboat, just a normal ferry that took 2 hours. We had already been somewhat warned by other travelers and our travel guide that a lot had changed... At the pier we were greeted by the island's landmark - the hornbill, which we were also able to experience very closely in person - but it was fed there.

For the first 5 nights we had booked the Bamboo Bungalows again - like back then - with an open bathroom and no hot shower (which you don't need here). Now there are also tuk tuks on the island that take tourists comfortably to their accommodation - back then we and our luggage were still transported by moped. The weed glut is also noticeable here - the advertising on the hotel sign in the top left corner says it all and everything is available at the reception...

The complex is located on the most beautiful beach on the island, Ao Yai - Long Beach, which is several kilometers of the finest sandy beach - just as advertised. Despite the increased tourist density, this beach is still not overcrowded, although there are now a number of hotel complexes there. You could play beach volleyball in front of our hotel - which encouraged Elmar so much that he actually picked up volleyball again after more than 30 years and threw himself into the sand...

There is also a small surfing scene that has gathered here and uses the waves - which are not too high - to surf and have fun at the same time. Of course, every hotel has a beach bar, where you can enjoy the absolute highlights of the day while enjoying a sundowner. The sunsets are spectacular every evening, so we took almost more evening photos than during the day.

After 5 days we moved to the other side of the island, with a not quite as nice beach (you'll be totally spoiled at Ao Yai), but with more peace and seclusion in a smaller complex with very nicely furnished little bungalows. There was even a pool table there so Elmar and I could play billiards again.

Here we also rented a moped and explored the different corners of the island with their beautiful vegetation. Although a small party scene has now formed here, it is concentrated on the corner of Long Beach and they still exist, the small, lonely corners on the island. There were also nice little restaurants on the pier with honest Thai cuisine. There we also experienced the second full moon in Thailand.

But slowly our thoughts wander back home and not only because of the often uncomfortable beds, lots of mosquito bites and an ominous, nasty itchy rash (sandflies?), we are actually happy to be returning home. Winter is now entering its final round there and we are returning with fresh energy, zest for action and lots of wonderful impressions.

We booked our trip to Phuket for Monday at the local travel agency stand. There is one more overnight stay there before our flight via Doha to Frankfurt takes off on Tuesday morning.

It was a wonderful time here in Thailand with its friendly people, the delicious food that we didn't get bored of even after 7 weeks, the sun and warmth and the colorful and diverse impressions. We are very grateful that we were able to take this trip and who knows, maybe this time it won't be another 11 years before we return...