Bungalows on Kho Bulon, Prices, types, and locations, from a traveler, not a hotelier.

 Ploy and I just returned from a trip to Kho Bulon, in Satoon Provence, Thailand.

I must say that it is a difficult place to get to, wherever you are traveling from in Thailand.

After you arrive in Pak Bara, you can get a ferry for 400Bhat each way.

That is when your vacation begins.

The scenery is spectacular, and the boat trip is only about 45 minutes.

There are beautiful mountains sticking straight up out of the water.  The ocean in blue and deep green.

The earlier you arrive to Kho Bulone, the better it will be to locate a room.

We arrived on the second ferry, since we flew down from Chiang Mai where we live, earlier that same morning. Almost all of the rooms were full.

Some people resorted to sleeping in tents.

Ploy and I were lucky enough to find a room for 600 Bhat at Pang Ka Noi. That is about $20.  We did well for the first night.    On the second day, I walked to every resort on the island looking for an empty room at 9:30 AM. That is just after the ferry leaves.

 Here are two nice bungalows at Kho Bulon Resort, but they are going for 2,500 Bhat per night.
                     That is about $85.

The room on the right was for rent for the same price.  Very close to the beach.

 Here is a Thai Longtail boat.  They are very loud, so we opted for a room further in the jungle, and away from the noisy boats being fired up for hours every morning.

These are two Pied Horn-bills. They are the most beautiful birds I have every seen in the wild. They visited our bungalow in the jungle almost every evening.   I learned to recognize their screech, and I would watch them from my bungalow's balcony.

A Vacation in Quiet Bang Saphan Thailand, on the Beach

      This was my first trip to Ban Saphan in southern Thailand. It was very quiet, and casual.

The location was recommended by a friend, and I went in order to get away from the busy City Life of Chiang Mai.

Some 4-5 hours south of Bangkok, Ban Saphan is tucked away along the seemingly busy coast of Thailand, on the bay side.

If you are looking for long beach walks, without sight of others, then this is your place.

There are some dead fish along the way, but the beach is clean, long, the sand is white, and
the water is warm. Maybe too warm, if you like it refreshing. 
 I like my ocean water bath tub warm, and that is just how it is at Ban Saphan.

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There are some small islands very close by, and it is worth going to see them.

Bring your food, ice box and sunscreen.

These locations are next to deserted, and rooms are going for about $10 per night.

The islands, the shoals, the perfect water, and the coral, make it an especially good place to swim, sunbathe, and stroll along the quiet beaches.

Here is Ploy, posing in front of a small rocky island.

6 Months Living on Kho Lipe, Thailand

Kho Lipe Island, Thailand, during my stay as resident volunteer English Teacher.

     I want to share some photos I took during my 6 month stay on Kho Lipe Island, while I was resident English Teacher for grades 4, 5, and 6, following the Asian Tsunami.

     Kho Lipe has changed a lot in the last 6 years, although it is still wonderful, quiet and relaxing.

     Here is the original walking street, from Pataya beach to the Chao Lay Village and the school.

Walking down the trail from the beach for about 10-15 minutes I neared the “Sea Gypsy” village,  http://andaman-island-hopping.com/articles/seagypsies.htm

where there were a collection of “backpacker” restaurants with excellent sea food, so you know

 you won’t go hungry.  The Chao Lay Village has a population of around 800 in grass and tin shacks spread along a very pretty beach.  I walked the equivalent of 3-4 blocks, having

to make several turns at forks on the complex of dirt and sand walking paths.  After about 5 minutes, I reached the center of town,



This is the view of the beach in front of the school. It's possibly the best school setting in the world.



where a huge communal sala (roofed outdoor seating area) occupies the beach.  Behind the beach is the school complex, made up of about 5-6  

large buildings, solar panels and water tanks.  My classroom was located at the end of long school building, right in front of the ocean. It has to be the most picturesque school setting in the world.

   
       I was called “Achaan” Johnny.  Having the title “Achaan” in Thailand is somewhat like having “PHD.” after your name in the States.  My classes were fairly well behaved by modern standards

(no pandemonium and kids running wild), although if I didn’t keep their attention for the entire time, “They will eat me alive”.

      Since I am able to speak Thai Language, I was placed as 4th 5th and 6th grade teacher, so that I could talk to the children, and answer their questions.  When class was over,

     I got some of the kids to pose for a group photo.  Then we walked over to the main building where we met Ben, the

other American teaching English at the school. We became good friends while living on the quiet isolated island. 

   Here is a map of the area and the national park islands painted outside the school. There are over 50 uninhabited islands in the area, most of which are visible while walking the beaches of Lipe.  All of which can be visited for day trips from Kho Lipe.

Delicacies and Oddities of Local Thai Markets

This picture was taken on Kho Lipe Island this year.
Look at the seafood selection that is available to sample each night.
That is a Giant Black Marlin on top, with a huge Barracuda and
King Mackerel beneath him.There are Grouper, Snapper, both red and white,
as well as a few other fish on display. Every night, there are also
Crabs, jumbo Shrimp, Oysters, Clams,Mussels and Lobsters available. 
Life on the beaches will always mean fresh seafood on a daily basis.

    This post will show you some of the most unique Thai foods and local delicacies.

     I took these pictures recently, and wanted to better explain what you will encounter in a Thai market.

A batch of Pig Heads. They are de-skinned, and are ready for sale. I am told that the Pig's cheek is the most
tasty part of the entire animal.

       Thai food is so multifaceted, with so many origins of influence,

from Indian, to Malaysian, Burmese, Laotian, Chinese, and now most recently, Western.

Here are crickets, grasshoppers, and cockroaches for sale.
They are eatenlike popcorn here in South East Asia.
Crispy deep fried, with a juicy inside!



I needed to show this picture, since the cockroaches were so large. Meal Worms,crickets, grasshoppers, and
silk worms are very popular.
You haven't visited Thailand unless you have dared to
eat a fried bug or two.

  Please look at these pictures to see some of the unique aspects of local Thai markets that you will
not see in a Western Grocery Store.



Here is a bag of Frogs. The are going to be sold live, and the customers will likely make a sweet soup with them, or possibly
grill them with some with some hot sauce.

 

Here are two Beautiful small Tuna. The can be grilled,
fried, baked, or steamed.
I love them best steamed with some butter, lime and garlic.



This is a plate of large shrimp with clams. It was superb dinner.



Here is a grumpy Dog, who snarled at me
as I walked past his Potato Sacks.



This is another Black Marlin. It is sad to see so many of them being harvested for dinner.
They are a true game fish, and must still be fairly plentiful in the Andaman Ocean side of Thailand.
Their steaks will be savory, no matter how you order them.
These Sailfish are as big as the shark below. This one was 6-7 feet long.



This is a Shark that was for sale at Kho Lipe Island, in the Indian Ocean. I did have a large slice,grilled with Garlic and black pepper. It was delicious I have to admit.

 Here are some small turtles for sale. It made me sad, but Thai people have been eating them for centuries.

I have never eaten a turtle,  but they are even still selling SEA Turtle soup in southern Thailand. 

It is always a good idea to try something new
if you get the chance!

 Please try one of the recipes that we have posted on the blog.
And get a copy of our Cook Book!