During this hot season, with no sea to swim in and nowhere to go, Koh Larn and Pattaya could be great options for a short trip near Bangkok.
As the title suggests, this is for those on a tight budget who still want to enjoy a beach vacation. The truth is, Koh Lan isn't exactly cheap. I've been there many times, and the accommodation and food costs can easily add up to thousands of baht (especially if you're looking for luxury).
We've been there many times before, so we wanted to try a one-day trip this time. We were just bored and wanted to go to the beach to feel the strong wind, ride our motorcycles and get sunburned.
This review highlights the abundance of activities available on Koh Lan. While the post lacks specific details, it focuses on showcasing the island's vibrant atmosphere through images. Visitors can expect to encounter stunning scenery, opportunities to admire attractive individuals in swimwear, and exhilarating drives with refreshing breezes. The post invites readers to join the exploration of Koh Lan's diverse offerings.
We enjoy traveling alone, especially recently. Traveling alone is often more convenient. You can discuss solo travel on the "Traveling Alone Lady Journey" page. This may inspire many others.
Taking public transportation is easy. Simply take a van from Victory Monument and tell the driver you're going to Koh Larn. The fare is 100 baht per person. You'll be dropped off at Laem Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. It's recommended to leave early to catch the first ferry at 9 am. However, we were running late and had to take the 11 am ferry. It takes about 45 minutes to cross from the mainland to Koh Larn. We arrived at Na Baan Pier. If you want to go to Ta Waen Beach, you can take a ferry for 30 baht. However, there are more motorbikes for rent at Na Baan Pier.
Visiting Koh Lan on a weekday is amazing. The boat was filled with foreigners (good-looking ones) and no Chinese or Thai tourists, which was great. It wasn't crowded or noisy. We arrived late and only had about 5 hours on the island.
Motorcycle Rental for a Day or Overnight
The rental price for a motorcycle is 200 baht for a day and 300 baht for an overnight stay. I informed the rental staff that I was alone and only needed the bike for a day to take some photos. They suggested a small, stylish motorcycle for a single rider, which I accepted. The bike came with a full tank of gas.
Here are some tips for renting a motorcycle:
- Inspect the condition of the motorcycle before renting it. Look for any existing damage and take photos of it to avoid potential disputes with the owner later.
- Once you have the motorcycle, enjoy the ride!
All photos were taken with a Samsung Galaxy Grand 1 and edited with VSCOCAM. I only brought a small digital camera and didn't bother taking out the memory card, so I just used my phone. You can upload them now. The first beach we went to was "Haad Saem," which is a bit far away. The road is good, but it's very steep, so you have to drive carefully. There are also signs warning about dangerous curves and accidents, with a high number of injuries and fatalities.
The water is crystal clear throughout the island, especially around the rocky outcrops. However, there are no people swimming in the water.
This beach is probably the second most popular among tourists after Hat Ta Waen. Tourists constantly disembark from speedboats here, but there is no pier. They get off in the middle of the water, and there is a floating walkway. We call it a floating walkway because we saw it on the show "Ladyboys on Tour." It's made of plastic and creates a path on the water. Oh! I forgot to take a picture, but the beach's signature feature is undoubtedly the giant manta ray-shaped solar panels. When you see them, you know you've arrived at Hat Saem.
Let's go up and see the view from the solar panels. The viewing point is right next to it, not on the panels themselves. To be honest, I've been to Koh Larn many times, but this is the first time I've been up here. I guess it's because I usually come with friends, and I just follow them wherever they go. I don't really get a chance to do what I want. But now that I'm on my own, I can go wherever I want. Look, that's what we call the "catwalk buoy" in the distance out at sea.
The surrounding view is like this.
After a short drive, we started looking for the windmill viewpoint, which is located near Haad Saem. At first, we asked the person who rented us the car how to get to this point, but they tried to discourage us because it was dangerous and they didn't want us to go. The authorities even put up signs saying it wasn't an entrance, but people are stubborn and still like to go there.
I'm not comfortable driving any higher. The road is too narrow and steep. Let's park here.
Truck drivers who travel long distances need to be highly skilled and strong, as it is a very dangerous job.
"Yes, it's really beautiful. Changing the outfit to a long-sleeved version would make it even more stunning. It might be hot though."
The next beach is close to Haad Saem. Just drive a little further. If you look closely and walk up to the viewpoint near the solar panels, you will see "Haad Thian" nearby. If you look from Haad Thian, you will also see the solar panels at Haad Saem.
The main feature is a long wooden bridge that serves as the entrance. However, this wooden bridge frequently collapses.
We often get lost on this beach. It feels like we drive farther and longer than our friends, but we especially like this beach. The water seems clearer than other places.
However, in the past, there weren't this many people.
This beach is best visited in the evening, as it offers the most stunning sunset views on the island. However, we are here for a day trip, with only a few hours to spare. Despite the scorching sun, the crystal-clear water is a welcome sight.
This passage describes a solution for people who want to take photos and visit the beach but have limited budget and time. It suggests a specific option, which is likely a popular beach destination easily accessible from nearby cities like Chonburi and Bangkok. The writer encourages readers who haven't visited this location to consider it and share their photos online. They also mention that they typically write longer reviews but are keeping this one concise.
The next beach, "Nuan Beach," is our favorite. It's easy to get to, without any steep hills. Most cyclists head to this beach because it's the easiest to reach. It's not crowded or noisy, and it's also a great spot for snorkeling, making it feel like a private beach. In the past, the road was so rough that we had to turn back on our motorbikes. They wouldn't let us in; it was too far, like a private beach. We never made it there before. Now, it's much more developed, with lots of tourists.
Please translate this.
I'd be glad to translate the sentence from Thai to English, ensuring a high-quality translation that captures the original meaning and tone:
Original Thai:
ชอบหาดนนี้ตรงที่มันมีมุมเงียบๆ ความจริงมันก็มีทุกหาดนะ ถ้าเราหา
English
"I like this beach because it has quiet corners. Actually, every beach has them if you look for them."
Explanation:
- The sentence is translated in a simple and concise manner, preserving the original meaning.
- The tone is kept neutral and objective, avoiding personal pronouns or colloquialisms.
- The translation is grammatically correct and reads naturally in English.
- The HTML structure is maintained for consistency.
I hope this translation meets your expectations. Please let me know if you have any further questions or requests.
Koh Larn: A Tale of Two Weekends
Koh Larn, once a tranquil island escape, has undergone a transformation. Weekends now paint a stark contrast to weekdays, leaving visitors yearning for the serenity of the past.
Saturdays and Sundays bring a surge of activity, with packed minivans navigating the congested roads to Laem Bali Hai. The influx of tourists, particularly Chinese tour groups, creates a competitive atmosphere, vying for everything from food and activities to coveted accommodations.
In stark contrast, weekdays offer a haven of tranquility. The absence of crowds allows for a more relaxed pace, where Western tourists bask in the sun and soak in the laid-back ambiance. The island transforms into a haven of peace, a far cry from the weekend frenzy.
This dichotomy highlights the evolving nature of Koh Larn, where the choice between a bustling weekend or a serene weekday retreat lies in the hands of the visitor.
After reaching the pier in front of the house, we drove the motorbike straight ahead, turning left all the way. The left side, or the west (I think it's the west, unless I'm lost), is where Haad Saem, Haad Thian, and Haad Nuan beaches are located. Now we come to the other side, driving back to start again to go to the most lively beach on the island, "Haad Ta Waen".
The road up and down is quite steep, so please drive carefully. Sometimes they have a map, but you don't need to look at it. Just drive for a while and the roads will converge. If you get lost, just turn around and come back to the same place. Or, if you don't know which beach to go to, just ask someone on the island. There are signs every now and then. Before reaching Ta-Harn Beach, stop by the beach's viewpoint, which is the most popular spot for taking pictures.
The most crowded beach, with the highest number of visitors and the most frequent water accidents.
The high volume of boats and tourists often leads to collisions. Chinese tour groups frequently disembark here due to the convenient mid-water docking, clear water, fine sand that is gentle on the feet, and its status as an alternative landing point to Laem Bali Hai. While less crowded than the main pier, speedboat arrivals are more chaotic here compared to the main pier's deeper, less clear water. This allows tourists to immediately enjoy swimming upon arrival.
As a woman, I admit to having a bit of a voyeuristic streak when it comes to bikinis.
Rarely do we see such handsome young men, making our hearts flutter. Could it be... a woman?
As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the beach, the final ferry back to Pattaya at 6 pm loomed. With time running out, the decision was made to explore two more beaches before returning. The first stop was Sangwan Beach, a small cove nestled beside the popular Ta-Yai Beach. Years ago, this secluded paradise offered a sense of privacy and tranquility, resembling a private retreat. However, the passage of time has brought an increase in visitors, transforming the once-secluded haven into a more bustling destination.
This bridge is a popular spot for taking photos.
This beach is best visited in the morning to witness the stunning sunrise.
As I mentioned earlier, dear viewers, it's starting to get cloudy. Um… this beach is really better for mornings. I forgot…
Previously, there was a large golden retriever dog that often played on this beach. Where has it gone now?
It's really small, you can walk around it in just a few steps.
What? I don't like it. What is it?
Believing we had enough time, we refused to give up. With only about half an hour left, we quickly went to the last beach. This beach was the most difficult for us to find; we always got lost. It's on the same road as Thong Lang Beach, which we've been to many times but never dared to enter. The road has a sharp bend, and we've never been able to reach it. We were afraid, to say the least. Let's go to this beach: "Grandpa and Grandma Beach."
The truth is that it should have come in the morning. It is said that Hat Sai Nuan should be visited in the morning because it is a point to watch the sunrise. Now it's evening, the sun has set towards Hat Thian. The picture that came out is a bit dark.
Translation:
Is there anything else I can help you with?
During the day, it must be full of tourists and restaurants, but now everything is packed up, and there are almost no tourists left. Only the locals are here to collect their belongings. It's a different feeling to walk around when there are only locals.
The water is crystal clear at every beach. Come and see for yourself.
The abundance of cacti provided endless amusement for the children, who eagerly competed to show off their finds. As the evening approached, the tourist crowds thinned, leaving only the friendly locals. Unlike my previous experiences on Koh Lan, which were dominated by tourists, this felt authentic. The name "Grandfather, Grandmother, and Grandchild Beach" seemed fitting, as I found myself drawn to the warmth and conversation of the local residents.
It's time to go home. It was a really good use of time, less than a day, just from afternoon to evening. I came to enjoy the sea breeze.
For those who want to try a one-day trip, it's not bad. If you want to come and relax, this is the right answer. For beautiful, clear sea for those on a budget, there are many accommodations available at affordable prices. You can find accommodation online, with plenty of recommendations.
This was a challenging but enjoyable one-day trip. We visited almost every beach in a few hours. The main beaches that people visit are all here. It was a satisfying experience for those on a tight budget who just want to enjoy the seaside atmosphere and feel the wind in their hair.
The total cost is 460 baht, including 200 baht for the round-trip van, 60 baht for the round-trip boat, and 200 baht for the motorbike rental. You may bring your own snacks and drinks to save money, or you can buy them there. Although it is a budget-friendly option, it is recommended to stay overnight to fully enjoy the experience. The location is convenient and affordable.
Translation:
Boe_Stories
Friday, September 27, 2024 10:38 AM