Since I didn't have time before, I have to say a few quick words about Ko Racha, which I could not have loved more. It's also known as Ko Raya (not sure why the different spellings, but it is listed both ways, even within the area of Phuket, on local maps).
We decided to take a tour there on our last day because the beach sounded very much like Ko Phi Phi Lei ("THE"Beach) except a little less "discovered." Hardly any books mentioned it much at all (Fodor's, etc.) and the 1009 tour shops along the strip in Patong didn't really advertise it a lot. There might be 1 brochure out of 100 about Racha, while there were 90,000 posters/brochures/flyers about Phi Phi and James Bond Island. Which we LOVED and would not do anything differently, but it was time for a change!
Ko Racha was perfect. A whole day on one beautiful beach, with a 90 minute boat excursion, to go snorkeling by the coral reefs that surround the island. Where as Phi Phi had uncountable # of tourist boats lined up coming in and out (so many so that they had to rope off an area safe for swimmers, so you wouldn't have to worry about the boats), this island had no need to roped swimming areas... because there were only a handful of boats all day, and they all pulled up to the same floating dock. I stayed in the water most of the time, except for a few minutes here and there while I reapplied my 30 SPF sunscreen and let it soak in really well. We rented an intertube for $1 and two beach chairs with an umbrella for $2 and enjoyed peace and quiet. There were a couple of resorts situated on the island, and if I had to go back, although it's somewhat remote (about 45 minute speed boat ride from the south end of Phuket), I think it would be a wonderful place to call home while in Phuket.
We're at the airport now and many people are waiting for this computer, so I'll have to save Angkor Wat for another time, but we really are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy that we worked Cambodia into our trip. A 1 hour flight from Bangkok, Siem Riep was so worth the trip. Enrique compared the complex of temples ruins hidden in the jungle to the lost city of Atlantis. Our pictures from there MIGHT be the best of the trip, because the sites were so surreal; you really couldn't take a bad picture there.
I hope to post more tomorrow, either from Bangkok somewhere or from the airport when we get settled at the gate tomorrow night/Sunday morning! Our flight by the way leaves at about 5:30 AM Sunday morning (or 5:30 PM on Saturday EST in the USA). We'll arrive back in the ATL early on Sunday afternoon, and Sarah and Hank are picking us up from the airport (Sar, are you bringing Hank, Enrique would like to know? He really misses you too!!! hahaha).
Love you all!
Meagan
We decided to take a tour there on our last day because the beach sounded very much like Ko Phi Phi Lei ("THE"Beach) except a little less "discovered." Hardly any books mentioned it much at all (Fodor's, etc.) and the 1009 tour shops along the strip in Patong didn't really advertise it a lot. There might be 1 brochure out of 100 about Racha, while there were 90,000 posters/brochures/flyers about Phi Phi and James Bond Island. Which we LOVED and would not do anything differently, but it was time for a change!
Ko Racha was perfect. A whole day on one beautiful beach, with a 90 minute boat excursion, to go snorkeling by the coral reefs that surround the island. Where as Phi Phi had uncountable # of tourist boats lined up coming in and out (so many so that they had to rope off an area safe for swimmers, so you wouldn't have to worry about the boats), this island had no need to roped swimming areas... because there were only a handful of boats all day, and they all pulled up to the same floating dock. I stayed in the water most of the time, except for a few minutes here and there while I reapplied my 30 SPF sunscreen and let it soak in really well. We rented an intertube for $1 and two beach chairs with an umbrella for $2 and enjoyed peace and quiet. There were a couple of resorts situated on the island, and if I had to go back, although it's somewhat remote (about 45 minute speed boat ride from the south end of Phuket), I think it would be a wonderful place to call home while in Phuket.
We're at the airport now and many people are waiting for this computer, so I'll have to save Angkor Wat for another time, but we really are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy that we worked Cambodia into our trip. A 1 hour flight from Bangkok, Siem Riep was so worth the trip. Enrique compared the complex of temples ruins hidden in the jungle to the lost city of Atlantis. Our pictures from there MIGHT be the best of the trip, because the sites were so surreal; you really couldn't take a bad picture there.
I hope to post more tomorrow, either from Bangkok somewhere or from the airport when we get settled at the gate tomorrow night/Sunday morning! Our flight by the way leaves at about 5:30 AM Sunday morning (or 5:30 PM on Saturday EST in the USA). We'll arrive back in the ATL early on Sunday afternoon, and Sarah and Hank are picking us up from the airport (Sar, are you bringing Hank, Enrique would like to know? He really misses you too!!! hahaha).
Love you all!
Meagan
1 comment:
Meagan, love all the details about your trip. Sounds like you two had a wonderful time. Can't wait to see the pics. I hope you both have a safe trip home! Love you! Jenny
Post a Comment