Happy New Year for the first review of 2017, but not the first trip of this year. Due to many missions, I didn't have time to write. 555 It took me a year to finish it. Let's get to the point. This trip was the result of my girlfriend playing a like-and-share game from the "Backpack Camera Travel" page and winning a free night's stay at THE DEWA Koh Chang. This was right up our alley, so we arranged a 3-day, 2-night trip in the style of "Liem's Travel with Traveling Couple." How was it? Let's see. This trip was full of flavors. There are expenses at the end of the trip, but I forgot some of them because I lost the notes. It's been several months, so it's just a rough estimate.

Let's take a quick look at the itinerary for this trip. We will be departing on October 30, 2016.

Day 1: First stop, Ban Na Nai Mangrove Forest in Salak Phet - Salak Phet Bridge - Klong Plu Waterfall - Elephant ride into the forest - Rasta View Cafe, Bang Bao Beach. Overnight stay at Elephant Bay Resort, Bai Lan Beach.

Day 2: One-day trip with Pimpun Trab, diving at 5 islands, underwater paradise, sunset view at Kai Bae Viewpoint. Overnight stay at The Dewa Koh Chang - Phu Talay Restaurant.

Day 3: Laem Chaiyachet, scenic view with a short climb - On the way back, stop at Pliu Waterfall to see fish - Return to Bangkok.

All photos were taken with a Nikon D5300 18-140 and a GoPro Hero 4 Silver.

Let's talk about travel at Liem Travel Thailand.

Before watching, I have a clip to share. No need to rush, the post is long with many pictures, so take your time and enjoy reading.

We started our journey very early in the morning, around 3:30 AM. We took the motorway to Chonburi and turned left to Ban Bueng. We drove at a moderate speed, as there was some road construction. We stopped for breakfast at a 7-Eleven in downtown Trat and brushed our teeth at a gas station. We arrived at the Koh Chang ferry pier around 8:00 AM, just as the ferry had departed. We had to wait for the next ferry, which departed every half hour. We waited for a short while, and then a new ferry arrived.

Take your old Toyota Vios and add a CNG kit.

Embark on a scenic boat ride, feeling the cool breeze as you capture stunning photographs.

The warm morning sunlight reflected off the water's surface.

We arrived at Koh Chang in approximately 30-45 minutes.

The boat has returned to the pier from Koh Chang.

As many of you know, and many others do not, upon arriving at Koh Chang, you must choose to turn left or right. Most people turn right, heading towards the abundance of tourist attractions, accommodation, and development. I, too, stayed on the right side, but I decided to take a quick trip to the left side first. The left side also boasts beautiful attractions.

The left side of the island has a different vibe than the right side. I don't remember seeing any 7-Elevens on the right side, or maybe there were some. The road is quiet with few cars and houses scattered along the way. There are also some guesthouses. I rode all the way to Ban Salak Phet. You can't ride around the island like you can on the other side. The end of the road is Ban Salak Phet, and to get to the other side, you have to go back the way you came, passing the pier.

Our first stop today is the Ban Na Nai mangrove forest, located in Ban Salak Phet. I couldn't find the entrance sign, so I ended up asking the locals. It turns out the entrance is right next to the Salak Phet temple. Turn left at the old church and drive for about a kilometer. You'll see a path like this.

Despite the initial apprehension caused by the narrow path and my lowered car, I proceeded to check the route on foot to ensure its feasibility.

The road is in poor condition with potholes for approximately 500 meters. It is passable with caution, but not recommended for low-clearance vehicles.

The Baan Na Nai mangrove forest is a 2-kilometer wooden walkway for studying nature. Don't forget, if you come here, it is recommended to walk all the way. Even I forgot, even though I took a picture. I thought there was nothing at the end, but when I looked at the picture, I saw that if you walk all the way, you will see the sea. But it doesn't matter, next time I will take you to see what the end is like.

Upon entering, one encounters a dense mangrove forest, resembling the golden mangrove fields of Rayong.

The temperature at around 9 am is not too hot yet.

Beginning to see the wider world.

Wow, what a view after rounding this bend!

The intricate mangrove forest, with its vibrant hues of yellow and green, creates a breathtaking spectacle that fills the heart with joy.

The weather is nice, so I'm going to lie down for a while. It's already burning my back. 555

Unfortunately, I didn't walk all the way to the end, so I forgot to look for pictures to see what was there. We just walked this far and then turned back.

Before leaving, let's have a pose for our travel couple. Hehe.

Exit route

Admission is free. Feel free to walk in.

Local residents informed us that there is another pier on this side called Saphan Luang. It is likely a pier for people staying on this side who want to go diving. It is located about 3 kilometers from Salak Phet.

This appears to be a private dock. Access is restricted, as indicated by the chain barrier. The photo was taken from outside the perimeter.

This is the Royal Bridge, located near the previous boat parking area. There is a parking lot within walking distance, but it is quite far away.

The sun is strong now.

We have arrived at the lighthouse in the middle of the water. I'm not sure if we can go up, but I saw someone there so I didn't dare to go in.

Take photos of the surroundings.

The mangrove forest we just walked through is right here. If you walk to the end, you will see the view we are looking at now.

The advantage of coming to the sea is that you can also see beautiful mountains. Like this.

Continuing on, there is actually a waterfall on this side as well. However, after asking the locals, I was told that the water level is low at the moment, so I decided not to visit it.

After leaving the Diamond Lock, we were famished. The 7-11 food we had earlier had run out of steam, so we decided to grab a bite at a nearby restaurant. I forgot to take a picture, but the food was delicious and affordable. For just 40 baht, we had a satisfying first meal on Koh Chang.

Next station: Khlong Plu Waterfall, entrance fee 40 baht per person.

Take a picture of the sign.

The trail to Khlong Plu Waterfall is easy to navigate and does not present significant challenges. The natural path involves some minor climbing.

The waterfall is about a 15-minute walk away. It's a bit of a sweat, so bring some water. It's pretty hot to walk at noon.

Khlong Phlu Waterfall is a beautiful and tall waterfall with cool water. It is a popular spot for swimming, especially among foreign tourists. I did not swim, but I took some photos instead.

Many foreigners. No mangoes or watermelons. Haha.

After leaving the waterfall, our activities were packed until the evening. The next activity was elephant riding on Koh Chang. However, two of our team members were afraid of elephants and refused to ride. So, we dropped them off at Elephant Bay Resort on Haad Bai Lan beach before returning to ride the elephants. The distances on Koh Chang are not far apart, but the roads are steep and dangerous, so drivers must be extra careful.

The team has been sent. We'll discuss the single accommodation later. Let's ride the elephant first. I have an appointment with the elephant handler at 2 pm.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Chutiman Tour Elephant Camp, the road conditions deteriorated significantly. The 500-meter entrance path was riddled with obstacles, causing significant damage to the vehicle's wheels within the first 300 meters.

Encountering a hill, we must first check the pattern. But our hearts are brave. Under this disappointment, we have scraped everything. The undercarriage is scratched, the pipes are dented, and the beams are constantly hit. We are used to it, so let's go all the way.

After crawling for a while, I finally reached the destination. The road was not difficult for regular cars, except for low-riding vehicles like mine.

The price for a two-hour elephant ride is 1,000 baht per person. However, the price listed on the website is outdated. When I called to inquire, I was told that the actual price is 900 baht for one hour and 1,500 baht for two hours. The staff offered me a discount of 500 baht for the two-hour ride, bringing the total cost down to 1,000 baht per person. It is recommended to check the price before booking, as it may vary. The one-hour ride only includes a short walk around the area, while the two-hour ride takes you to a waterfall and allows you to swim with the elephant in the water.

The natural path is beautiful. It was my first time riding an elephant, and it was exciting.

I met another elephant caretaker who volunteered to take a picture for me. The elephant I was riding was Poppy, a 36-year-old female. I must say, she was quite stubborn.

Venturing deep into the dense forest, straying from the beaten path. 55

At times, a thrill courses through me, gripping me tight.

After walking for almost an hour, we arrived at the waterfall.

Removing the seat and letting the children play in the water. But I'm not playing because I'm afraid I can't swim. 555 Sending my girlfriend down to take pictures for me.

The water is too deep for me to go in. It almost reaches the elephant's belly, which is about 2 meters deep.

Elephant Keeper: Take good care of the customers, Poppy.

And then, boom.

"Hey, where are you going?" my boyfriend exclaimed in surprise.

The elder brother stood by the side to give encouragement, and the fan started to accept it.

The playful baby elephant repeatedly sprayed water from its trunk.

The dog seems to be feeling refreshed and has also had a bowel movement. It is possible that the dog was experiencing stomach pain, which may have contributed to its stubbornness during the walk.

After a while, the elephant handler disappeared. He went into the forest, and no one knows where he went. His girlfriend started to get scared. The elephant also moved out of the water and stayed there for a long time.

Okay, okay, that's enough. 555 Come here for a bit.

Here it is.

The puppy, likely feeling itchy, rubbed its body against a large rock.

On the way back, I stopped to take some more photos. Riding an elephant was a great and very enjoyable experience. If you have time, I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed.

As soon as we left the elephant camp, the sky turned dark green and heavy rain poured down. Thankfully, it didn't rain while we were riding the elephants, otherwise the exit path would have been even muddier than the entrance, making it difficult. But was it really good luck? The road was winding and hilly, and the rain was extremely heavy, so we drove slowly back to our accommodation. But we were hungry, it was after 4 pm, so I called the team and said let's go find some food near Bang Baeng Beach. It's better to find a diving tour for tomorrow as well. From our accommodation to Bang Baeng, it's only 3 kilometers, so it's a piece of cake. As we drove, the rain became even heavier than before, and we found a restaurant. I didn't take any pictures because it was on the left side of the road, before the turn right to Bang Baeng Beach pier. It's the one with a large parking lot and lots of people. Let's go!

The food was not expensive, around 780 baht for 4 people. As we ate, the rain continued for an hour, then it subsided and the sky cleared again. We paid the bill and continued.

After inquiring with the vendor, we learned that the tour's availability is contingent on weather conditions. As it is currently the tail end of the rainy season and we are visiting in October, the vendor suggested checking back in the morning for a definitive answer. We opted to visit a nearby coffee shop in Bang Baen, less than a kilometer away, while we wait.

The evening sun sets, casting a soft glow.

The long pier is not the actual pier, but rather belongs to a resort. The actual pier is the one with a roof in the distance.

This time on Koh Chang, I haven't seen many Thai people, mostly foreign tourists.

Two cups were ordered at 45 baht each. The taste was average, but the atmosphere was very relaxing.

No cups to take home, please finish your drink.

I arrived back just as dusk was settling in, the sky darkening. I walked to the convenience store at the mouth of the alley where I was staying to buy some ice and drinks.

Let's talk about the accommodation. Elephant Bay Resort, formerly known as Gu's Bay Rules, has recently undergone renovations and reopened under a new name this October. As a result, the facilities are in excellent condition, especially considering the affordable price of 800 baht for an air-conditioned room. Let's take a closer look.

The photos include the afternoon check-in time, showing the pool with a sea view. The view is excellent.

The place was exclusively visited by foreigners, including the owner, who spoke limited Thai. I also spoke a little English, so we managed to communicate. The booking process was confusing, requiring email communication with the help of a translator.

Let's take a look at the rooms. They are arranged in a row like this. There is a space in front of each room where you can sit and relax.

There is a saw in front of the room.

The room was not new, and it looked like it had been lived in for a long time. However, it had been recently renovated, although it still retained some of its old charm. Personally, I don't mind staying in older places, as long as they are clean and comfortable. The bed was soft, the air conditioning was cold, and the room was clean. That's all I really need.

The open-air bathroom, with its yellow stains, is covered in algae, not unsightly dirt. The photo just makes it look that way.

Let's take a look at the surrounding atmosphere. I think this is the selling point of this place.

Light in the dark sky

The evening lights are beautiful.

The atmosphere was serene, with the front room wide open and the sound level low. Around 10 pm, everyone dispersed to prepare for the next day's diving adventure.

First night ends

Waking up early at 6 am to play in the water before it gets too hot.

These people are making noise early in the morning. The dog wants to sleep.

The morning atmosphere is refreshing.

The sea in front is mostly rocky and not suitable for swimming, but it is suitable for walking.

Having fully enjoyed Elephant Bay, it's time to move on.

The accommodation is a budget-friendly option with a great atmosphere. It is a truly good choice. It is quiet, and the only drawback is that the room condition may seem a bit old.

Upon arriving at the pier, we were overwhelmed by the abundance of diving shops. Unsure of which one to choose, we opted for the first one we encountered. We secured a 5-island tour for 600 baht per person, which included lunch but excluded the 40 baht entrance fee for each island and a 50 baht parking fee. The staff informed us that it was a discounted rate due to it being a Monday. Fortunately, we were impressed by the size and newness of our boat, which seemed to be the most modern vessel among those we observed throughout the day.

Add wealth pool, highly recommended.

Breakfast can be found at local restaurants near the pier for around 50-60 baht, which is slightly more expensive than other areas.

It's time to board the ship at 9 am.

After sailing for a while, the guides introduced themselves and the day's activities. The islands visited included Koh Yak Lek, Koh Yak Yai, Koh Rang, Koh Mapring, and the National Park beach. The guides were entertaining and interacted well with the tourists, cracking jokes and creating a fun atmosphere. All the guides on the boat were friendly, helpful, and provided excellent service.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

The first point is here, let's dive. If I remember correctly, it's a small giant.

Many fish

Kayaks are available for paddling.

Let's dive into the underwater world! I must confess that I can't swim, but luckily, our kind guide volunteered to take us on a swim around the island. Perhaps because there were many foreigners who were good at swimming and diving, there were less than 10 Thais on the entire boat. Our guide kindly took my girlfriend and me on a private tour and even offered to hold the camera for us. He dived down and took many pictures and videos, which I will share here. I can't remember exactly which island it was, but most of the photos are from the first two islands where our guide took us and took pictures for us. The giant island, which they say is the most beautiful, was the last one we visited, but I was too exhausted to dive anymore. Each dive was tiring, especially since I can't swim (haha). My girlfriend went with our guide, and I couldn't keep up with them. On the third island, after our guide returned to the boat, he swam back to get me because I was too exhausted to swim anymore (haha). It was truly a memorable experience.

Some images are screenshots from videos, while others are still images. The image quality may vary.

There are a lot of sea anemones.

The real thing is incredibly beautiful and magnificent.

The underwater world here is incredibly beautiful, rivaling any other sea. From my diving experience in Krabi, Koh Hong (4 Islands Tour), Koh Lipe, Koh Talay, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Koh Kham, Samed, and Koh Chang, this is one of the most stunning. It surpasses even my diving experience in Krabi on the 4 Islands Tour. A true underwater paradise, don't miss the chance to dive while visiting Koh Chang.

Here's the clip. There are actually many clips, but this one is my favorite.

Visiting various islands, I can't remember which picture corresponds to which island anymore. I'm completely disoriented by the vastness of the sea.

Initially, they were both in the dark.

Lately, I don't wait for anyone to go with me. I just go alone.

Exhausted from talking, their mouths hanging open, they were on the verge of collapse.

During the day, I didn't take any photos except for one of my meal. I remember it was stir-fried basil with fried egg and something else. The taste was average, not spicy, and it was delicious. I ate until I was full.

Summit of the park

You can play in the water, play in the sand, or play with the rope like a monkey.

Applaud a little.

They played in the water for a while.

It's time to return to the boat. There is a barbecue menu with 2 skewers per person.

Safely returned to shore with great satisfaction. We spent the entire time and arrived at the shore around 5 pm.

Leaving Bang Beo tonight, we will sleep in Khlong Phrao. Follow me, let's stop by the Kai Bae viewpoint.

The rain is coming, it's getting dark, let's go.

For our accommodation tonight, we stayed at The Dewa, while my companions stayed at Ramayana, which is part of the same group as Dewa but is not located by the sea and is about 2 kilometers away. They said it was also great. After checking in, it was already dark and we were hungry, so we put our belongings in the room and went to find something to eat. We'll look at the photos of the accommodation later.

Tonight, I'm having dinner at Phu Thale restaurant, which is also located in Khlong Phrao, near my accommodation. The entrance is a bit tricky to find. The restaurant is situated by the river, but it was too dark to see the view. Perhaps it was because it was Monday, and there were no lights on the opposite side.

The atmosphere is relaxed and the breeze is cool. Let's take a look at the food.

Every dish was delicious, and the entire meal cost only 1,200 baht, which is very reasonable. Drinks were included, and I highly recommend this restaurant.

After a hearty meal, the group dispersed to their accommodations without further drinking. They had thoroughly enjoyed their diving experience.

Returning to the accommodation, I took a brief look at the room and the atmosphere at night.

Wow, the aurora borealis is amazing! Oh, and there's a squid boat! This accommodation is by the sea, but the rooms don't have a view of the sea mist. You have to walk about 200 meters to see it. There is a restaurant on the beach.

Come to the room, it's luxurious, beautiful, and amazing.

The air is refreshingly cool.

Bathroom and bathtub area

The bed was very comfortable, and the air conditioning was cold. I slept very well that night. The next morning, we checked out at noon and made the most of our time.

Upon waking up and opening the door, I was startled.

Feeling hungry, so I'm going to have breakfast.

Wake up and have breakfast together.

A wide variety of both Thai and international cuisine.

Eggs are everywhere.

There is also a line zone.

Let's go swimming and have a blast!

The water is not deep, only 1.4 meters.

After playing in the water, I continued to soak in the tub.

What a thrill!

After playing in the water to their heart's content, they showered, changed, and prepared to return home. Time flies, so they decided to take some photos on the beach.

Perhaps another night of sleep, lounging, and playing around here.

There is a swing.

The boat has arrived.

The bob haircut is also popular.

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Three

There are also camera setups.

Time is up, I guess I have to go. I will keep these good memories, but before I leave, I have to stop by again.

Before heading back, I made one last stop at Laem Chaiyachet. They say the sunset here is breathtaking, but I arrived around noon instead. I wasn't sure which way to enter, but a local uncle directed me to walk through the Chaiyachet Resort. There, I found this staircase.

This is the view you will see when you come out.

Beautiful.

There is another way down.

However, it seemed dangerous, so we did not continue the exploration.

The dark clouds are coming from afar, it's better to leave.

The dark side, the bright side, the sky and rain will come again.

Arriving at the pier just as the boat arrived, I crossed to the other side. It was a little past one in the afternoon. As I ran back, I passed by the Krua Krua Laan restaurant and decided to stop in.

The menu includes pork leg noodles and rice with curry.

The restaurant was pleasantly uncrowded that day, allowing us to enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of the dining room. The food was reasonably priced, with most dishes costing around 40 baht. The service was exceptional, with the friendly and polite staff, who I believe were the owner's grandchildren, making our experience even more enjoyable. The food itself was delicious, and I highly recommend stopping by for a meal if you're in the area.

Leaving Trat and heading towards Chanthaburi, the sky was still bright. I decided to make one more stop before heading home, as arriving too early would seem unusual. I stopped at Pliu Waterfall for a bit.

Pliew Waterfall has recently stopped feeding the fish. According to the staff, the fish were unable to find food on their own, so feeding was discontinued. This has resulted in a decrease in the fish population, but it is a positive step as it encourages the fish to forage for food naturally.

The crowd is significantly smaller today, allowing for a comfortable stroll.

Path leading down to the waterfall

This time, the water level is lower than before. I remember that the last time I came, the water was very strong, and the water spray soaked my camera. I couldn't stand close to it.

Take a dip in the spa.

Embrace the power of nature and return to your daily grind.

We left Pliu Waterfall around 5 pm and drove straight back to Bangkok, dropping everyone off at their homes by 10 pm. It was a beautiful end to the trip.

Estimated total expenses

Oil 400

Solve for x when x = 900.

Toll fee 160

The ferry fare is 440 baht one way and 880 baht round trip, including transportation and personnel.

The cost of accommodation for the first night is 800 baht per room.

Elephant riding costs 1000 baht per person.

The remaining amount is for food expenses: 780 baht for the first night's dinner, 1200 baht for the second night's dinner, and the remaining meals are at regular prices.

The total cost for this trip was approximately 3,000-3,500 baht per person.

The trip to Koh Chang was very impressive. I will definitely come back again, but I recommend not coming during the festival. The last time I came, I had to wait for hours to cross the river, which was a waste of time. This time, I came on Sunday and returned on Tuesday. There were fewer people, which was great.

See you again with the traveling couple. The next trip will take you up the mountain. Which mountain will be announced later.