lissy_goes_thailand
lissy_goes_thailand
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Last stop: Koh Lanta

Publicado: 05.06.2019

This post contains the last days of our trip and our departure, albeit a bit late.

After choosing a pickup transfer for 3€ once again, we arrived at our accommodation for the next 4 nights around noon: the 'Hub of Joys' Hostel (yes, sometimes a hostel is also a good choice). It was located right next to a main road, but only a 5-minute walk from the 'Long Beach'.

The entrance
The entrance
Our room
Our room
Reception
Reception

After checking in, we went straight to the beach, which may look a bit like a Baltic Sea beach visually, but as the name suggests, it is very long and has clear, deep water even during low tide, with nice waves. After a lunch of mango sticky rice and mango shake, several swimming sessions, sunbathing, and planning the next days, I discovered beach volleyball players nearby. I was allowed to join in and played for over an hour with a Russian, a German family, and some locals.
Relaxed day at the beach
Relaxed day at the beach

To avoid having to endure our somewhat exhausting roommates (3 British girls and an Irish girl) who were pre-drinking for an upcoming party, we went to eat spaghetti right after showering. Afterwards, we skipped the party and had a cocktail under the amazing starry sky. Finally, I had decent enough wifi to call Seba, but just as I was about to fall asleep in my small bunk bed, one of the British girls who had drunk a mushroom shake kept me awake for another 20 minutes, hallucinating and crying out loud.
My bunk bed :) the curtains are great!
My bunk bed :) the curtains are great!

The next morning, we enjoyed a great breakfast (scrambled eggs, popcorn, banana muffins, toast, coconut rice, fruits, etc.) in the cozy common room of the hostel. For only 7.50€ per night, we got a lot in return: a clean facility, booking options for scooters, tours, and transfers, books, games, guitars, and beach equipment to borrow, free snacks, and cheap drinks.

The 24h self-service counter
The 24h self-service counter

We spent the rest of the day reading, sleeping, and drinking coconut shakes at the beach.

In our favorite restaurant
In our favorite restaurant

For the sunset, we once again enjoyed delicious noodles with prawns at 'our' beach restaurant. Afterwards, we spontaneously rented a scooter at the hostel and drove to a small market with 2 German girls and a Canadian guy. However, it turned out to be just a food market, which wasn't ideal on a full stomach...so we quickly returned. In the evening, I was persuaded by our roommates to go to a beach party. We left with a large group (mostly Brits) around midnight and walked for 5 minutes. However, the music at the party (I would call it electro) was not suitable for dancing at all and was really not my style, so I went back to the hostel by myself after half an hour...
The next morning, we rented a second scooter (Lisa wanted to be in control ;) ) and drove for about half an hour on bumpy, dusty, partly steep coastal and jungle roads towards 'Old Town'.

Scooter tour
Finally in control
Finally in control

This small district consists mainly of a little street about 1km long with cute restaurants and shops selling handmade products.

@oldtown
@oldtown
The small shopping street
The small shopping street
Idyllic village
Idyllic village

We tried the Old Town Special Shake (coconut, banana, mango, peppermint, and honey), found beautiful souvenirs, and had dinner at a restaurant with a beautiful view of the sea (the houses are on stilts in the water).
Great restaurant
Great restaurant
Too many smoothie choices
Too many smoothie choices

Afterwards, we wanted to visit one of the nicer beaches in the south but only found a rocky beach with strong currents. Since the sunset was blocked, we quickly returned.
We drove past it
We drove past it

By the way, driving a scooter without a visor or sunglasses is not fun - just mentioning it...after a delicious coconut soup in the hostel, we walked 20 minutes to the Monkeys Karaoke Bar, where we met Clara and Lisa.
Karaoke at the Monkeys Bar
Karaoke at the Monkeys Bar

After I finally dared to sing with Mamma Mia for the first time, Clara, the other Lisa, and I performed Because of You (without any howling) and Dancing Queen together with 3 Swedish girls. Fueled by the free shots after each song, I also sang Let it be and Hero of War. Once again, I realized that having a beautiful voice alone is not enough - you also need rhythm, timing, and notes...after a short game of billiards, we walked home at 2 o'clock. We spent our last day entirely at the beach. Unfortunately, on this day, our favorite restaurant closed for the season, and it became increasingly cloudy. However, we found another lovely beach restaurant for our last sunset by the sea.
Last sunset
Last sunset

:(
:(
New sunset pictures
New sunset pictures


In the evening, we had a final massage in a bamboo hut by the beach, but it was noticeably less affectionate than the previous ones and became quite uncomfortable as it started pouring rain and storming. The journey back was...well...wet.
Dark and wet...
Dark and wet...
When it rains, it pours, luckily only this one time
When it rains, it pours, luckily only this one time
Wet but well prepared
Wet but well prepared

On the day of departure, we took a minivan to Krabi Airport. After surviving an hour-long traffic jam, the rapid driving style, the ferry ride, and the flight, we landed in Bangkok at 6 p.m. We quickly and confidently reached our centrally located and quite modern hotel with the metro and airport bus like pros.
Heading to the hotel
Heading to the hotel

However, there were no shops or restaurants near the train station, so in the end, we had dinner next to the hotel (delicious fried chicken with curry).

Last sunset
Last sunset


The journey home started at 8:30 local time with a delicious iced latte. Due to the train ride, the check-in queue, security checks, and changing money taking up a lot of time, we ran to the boarding gate in panic at 11 a.m. (I had dreamt of something similar 2 nights before!!!!...). Unfortunately, I had to take my remaining Thai Baht with me.

At Bangkok Airport
At Bangkok Airport

With Angry Birds, puzzle games, a golf simulator, and 2 great movies (The Greatest Showman and A Star is Born), I managed to pass the time on the 10.5-hour flight to Kiev. Unfortunately, Lisa was seated far away on both flights.

Not ready to go home :(
Not ready to go home :(
Hello Kiev!
Hello Kiev!

The 2.5-hour flight to Frankfurt went by quickly as I chatted with a friendly Ukrainian guy from the salami industry. At 11 p.m. German time (4 a.m. Thai time), Seba picked me up at the terminal, and we finally headed home :)

I will never ever forget this trip, and I know for sure - I will definitely come back to Thailand!! ❤

Kutichiy