Dec. 27, 2010
Trat to Ko Kood
The free songtaew from Trat town to Laem Sok pier didn't seem to be available when I arrived at the night market area in central Trat around 11:30 am. I had to charter a songtaew for 200 baht to the pier. There are 3 ferries per day to Ko Kood – speed boats at 10 am and 1 pm and express (slower but still fast) boat at 12:30 pm. Of course I took the 12:30 pm express boat (350 baht). It takes about 1.5 hours to arrive at Ko Kood and it’s not uncomfortable.
At Ko Kood's Ao Salat pier, free big songtaews take passengers to major beaches. I chose Khlong Chao as the base for its convenience and proximity to Khlong Chao Waterfall. There are a few resorts around Khlong Chao, from 300 to 8,000 baht/night. I picked Mark House for 500 baht/night with private bath but no hot shower – not a bad choice. Just before dusk, I walked to Khlong Chao Waterfall (less than one hour) and was lucky enough to get a free lift back from a Thai couple driving a songtaew passing by.
Dinner at Sea View Gardens Resort is one of the best in the trip, simply cheap and delicious.
 |
| Khlong Chao Waterfall |
Dec. 28, 2010
Ko Kood
I got up early in the morning to have a peep at Ao Khlong Chao, not so many people yet and it felt very good. Back to Mark House for the free breakfast and had some nap until lunch time. For lunch I decided to have it at an upmarket resort at the southern end of the beach. Though slightly expensive, the food was delicious.
Equipped with energy, I walked about one hour south to check out Ao Bang Bao, a smaller but quieter beach. There is also a pier at Ao Bang Bao. One reason to love Ko Kood is its people. On the way back, I was able to get a free lift back to Khlong Chao, again.
For dinner, I moved to the upmarket Peter Pan Resort, food was so-so but being able to eat just a stone's throw from the sea is some good experience.
 |
| Restaurant on the Beach, Ao Khlong Chao |
Dec. 29, 2010
Ko Mak
There are two daily speed boats from a pier at Mark House to Ko Mak – 9 am and 10:30 am. The 10:30 am one was full and I had to take the 9 am one (400 baht). The boat originated from Mark House and went to several beaches to pick up passengers before heading for Ko Mak. It took actually more than one hour to arrive at Ko Mak's Ao Suan Yai pier.
A charted songtaew (100 baht) took me to Ao Kao on the other side of the island 3 km away. My first accommodation choice Monkey Island was full and I walked west and found a not-so-bad Ko Mak Cottage for 700 baht/night (sea view, private bath but no hot shower).
After lunch at a nearby beach-front restaurant, it was just time to enjoy the sea by walking, swimming, canoeing and sleeping. Back to Monkey Island for dinner. Food was so-so but the free internet nearby is a bonus.
Sitting in a chair in front of the cottage and doing nothing was the last thing I did for this holiday, the next day is simply to take a speed boat back to Trat (2 per day from Ao Kao, 2 per day from Ao Suan Yai in the morning and early afternoon, 450 baht) and from there to Bangkok.
 |
| Ko Mak Cottage |
Overview
Ko Kood and Ko Mak are definitely worth the visit. Although I saw many tourists and resorts were almost full at the peak of this high season, compared with other big names, Ko Kood and Ko Mak are still quiet and natural. There is no need to go through Ko Chang – there are direct boats between Trat and Ko Kood / Ko Mak. I found people on both islands are relatively nice (compared with those in the south) although discounts are usually out of the question.
No comments:
Post a Comment