Why do people love going to the beach?
Why do people find happiness at the beach?
Why do people seek the ocean in times of sorrow?
However, it doesn't matter why. Let's just say that we are always happy whenever we see you.
This time, too... Let's start.
With the scorching heat, there's no denying that the beach is the perfect getaway spot right now. However, with limited vacation days, we want to make the most of our time and explore stunning beaches. While nearby destinations are convenient, the allure of the Burmese Sea, with its pristine beauty and close proximity, is simply irresistible. This trip takes us to Ranong, the "Land of Eight Rains and Four Suns," where we'll embark on an unforgettable adventure. Pack your bags and join us!
Note: There are many pictures, some of which may be of varying quality. We apologize in advance for any inconsistencies.
A 4-day, 3-night journey on an extraordinary weekday.
Samet Nang Chee
The first stop on our journey to Ranong was Khao Samet Nang Chee. We left Phuket at 5 am to catch the sunrise at the Khao Samet Nang Chee viewpoint, which was about an hour's drive away. The tranquility of a weekday was the highlight of this trip.
An army marches on its stomach.
Our next stop is the Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center, where we can enjoy some snacks and coffee before visiting the baby turtles and dugongs.
This is called "เหนียวกล้วย" in the southern dialect, madam.
Sometimes, farm stays
The desire to eat crab, fueled by a recent online article (https://th.readme.me/p/5918), made a farm stay a key part of our trip. The farm charges 350 baht per person, which includes boat fare and meals (not a buffet). Reservations and a deposit are required (details in the review link). We called to book the day before our trip, as weekends are usually full, but we were the only group on a weekday, making for a truly enjoyable experience. Upon arrival at the designated time, a long-tail boat picked us up and slowly sailed away, offering breathtaking views that made it impossible to put our cameras down.
We cherish moments where we can slow down, immerse ourselves in the atmosphere, and unknowingly experience a profound sense of joy.
We will prioritize crabs above all else.
Spicy red snapper tom yum soup.
After a satisfying meal and a comfortable sleep, the cool breeze invites us to return. But before we leave, let's take a look at the soft-shelled crabs.
The journey from Bangkok to Ranong takes approximately 1.30 hours. We'll meet in Ranong.
At last, Ranong, the city of eight parts rain and four parts sun.
My favorite part of visiting Ranong was watching the sunset. It was a guaranteed spectacle, and I always made sure to stop and take photos before heading to my accommodation.
Our first night was spent at The Blue Sky in Ranong.
The entrance is a 600-meter gravel road from the main road.
Utterly peaceful, quiet, and private.
Our Deluxe Seaview room offers stunning ocean views and a plush king-size bed.
Stunning view from the balcony.
Having admired the view from the front of the room, let's move on to the breathtaking sunset view from the back.
Immerse yourself in the cool water and watch the sun set over the mountains. What a blissful experience!
Let's continue our search for the heart at Emerald Heart Island tomorrow. Sweet dreams tonight. ^^
We woke up early today to prepare for our trip to the Grand Andaman Pier. We had to arrive at the pier before 8:00 AM (as our hotel was not on the route of the tour van).
A warm bowl of rice porridge on a cool morning.
A 10-minute drive brought us to the Grand Andaman Pier. It was surprisingly deserted, perhaps because it was a weekday.
After checking in, the officer will provide you with two sets of documents for border crossing.
For those who missed breakfast at the hotel, there is a breakfast service available, including rice porridge, snacks, tea, and coffee.
The guide informed us that today's trip will only have 9 participants. Please note, only 9 people will be joining the trip.
The photo captures our fellow travelers on this trip. We were pleasantly surprised, as the advantage of traveling on weekdays lies in such moments.
Frog feet or fins must be rented in pairs for 100 baht. If you have your own, it is recommended to bring them as there are very few available. However, it is better to use short fins to avoid accidentally damaging the coral.
The tour bus picked us up to complete the border crossing procedures before boarding the boat.
As Emerald Heart Island is located within the territory of Myanmar, it is necessary to complete border crossing procedures similar to those for leaving the country, except that a passport is not required. All documentation will be handled by the tour operator. You only need to provide a copy of your ID card to the tour operator before the trip for border crossing purposes. You don't have to do anything else; just bring your original ID card on the day of travel. Do not forget your ID card under any circumstances, or you will not be able to travel.
At this point, we need to submit the documents in person. It will be done in a short time.
The sky is clear while waiting for the ferry, indicating that the weather will be excellent today. (Fingers crossed)
The first ferry takes only 5 minutes to cross from Ranong to Burma.
After completing the border crossing procedures, I waited at the dock for almost an hour (a bit frustrating).
I'll be back later. Let me work on the second island first.
Emerald Heart Island
It only takes 1 hour to reach Emerald Heart Island by boat, but... the waves are quite strong. The boat is just parked and still rocking back and forth. If you want to get off, it's definitely not possible.
After taking photos, the guide led us to the next stop, Horseshoe Island.
Horseshoe Island
The first island we visited today felt like a private beach. We thought it looked similar to Maya Bay.
Good weather + beautiful sea + delicious food = happiness
Do you have 5 minutes to explore the underwater world with us? We guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Koh Ta Puk
The first dive site of the trip was at Koh Ta Fuk, known for its pristine coral reefs. Guides often describe the coral here as being as pristine as it was a hundred years ago. Let's grab our diving masks and explore!
The receding water reveals vibrant coral reefs, visible with the naked eye. Due to the shallow depth of only a meter, it's crucial to maintain buoyancy to avoid damaging the fragile corals. The pristine beauty of these shallow reefs is remarkable, teeming with diverse fish species rarely encountered elsewhere. The abundance of marine life is truly breathtaking.
Just 30 minutes of diving was not enough for us. We hope Grand Andaman will see this message. 5555
After finishing our dive, the boat brought us to the island (although we could have swum there ourselves, honestly).
The first point is already so exciting, the next point will be much bigger. Stay tuned!
Thank you to everyone who follows me <3 Yai Cheuk Pier
Snorkeling enthusiasts will undoubtedly be delighted with this trip, and Koh Yansuek emerges as the undisputed star of the adventure.
The vastness and splendor of the underwater world left me in awe. I had no idea it could be so extensive.
The picture is just a teaser, the real thing is much more beautiful!
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The beauty and pristine condition of the coral reefs were truly breathtaking. We could have easily spent more than 40 minutes exploring this underwater paradise.
Cock's Comb Island or Emerald Heart Island
Our final dive site for the day is Emerald Heart Island. Due to high waves this morning, we were unable to access it. However, our guide took us back to see if it was possible to enter. And we did!
The calm water after the low tide made diving much easier compared to this morning when the strong current at the mouth of the cave was quite dangerous. We believe we were lucky today, the sea was kind and very cooperative.
The most beautiful spot is likely the entrance, where there are both soft corals and red corals. Thanks to the guide for the beautiful pictures.
Let's take a look at what we've captured.
The water is crystal clear, and there are many sea urchins. We only have 20 minutes here, so let's take a selfie.
Today's trip was amazing!
If you're looking to go scuba diving and see coral reefs, we think this place exceeded expectations. We were truly impressed. Definitely keep it in mind as an option - it's totally worth it!
After returning to the boat, we embarked on our journey back to Koh Son. The trip was short, and upon arrival, we took a car to the Grand Andaman Hotel for dinner. The dinner was truly exceptional, and those who wished to return to the mainland could do so on a boat departing for Ranong at 11 pm. Alternatively, guests could enjoy swimming, the casino, or duty-free shopping.
See you tomorrow at the Dragon Island trip. zZ
After yesterday's excitement on Emerald Heart Island, today we have a date at Dragon Island. Just thinking about the smell of the sea breeze gives me energy. Let's go on a trip!
Dragon Islands
Lord Loughborough, also known as Koh Lord Loughborough, is another island that is gaining popularity. It is said to have crystal-clear water and fine sand, similar to Koh Tachai. The journey for this trip starts with a van picking you up from your hotel and taking you to the boat at the Ranong Customs Pier (lighthouse), which is near the Grand Andaman Pier. Like Koh Mook, this trip only requires a national ID card. Overall, we think this island is perfect for people who love taking beautiful photos and have time to walk around and take pictures on the island. If you plan to visit this island, be sure to bring props, as each spot is truly stunning. Oh, and the snorkeling is also great! It's easy to snorkel, there are plenty of fish, the coral is healthy, and it's very shallow.
This trip does not offer flippers for rent. The guide informed us that Burmese authorities have tightened regulations, and if you wish to use flippers, you must bring your own.
After completing border formalities, the journey from Ranong takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes (under normal weather conditions). The route passes through numerous islands, some of which are inhabited, unlike the side leading to Emerald Heart Island. Notably, the Dragon Islands are located to the north, while Emerald Heart Island is situated to the south. This difference in location results in a noticeable variation in the color of the seawater and the texture of the sand. As the boat continues its journey, the destination gradually comes into view.
Lord Heaven Island
Our first stop today was just for photos. We used the props we brought to take pictures on this island. There are two beaches here, both of which are beautiful.
A short 5-minute walk will lead you to a small cove filled with pebbles and larger rocks. Note: the sand is incredibly soft.
It's time to move on. Jelly Fish is over there.
Sleeping Dragon
A short walk of approximately 50 meters will reveal the breathtaking beauty of the Burmese coastline, offering a panoramic view of nearly 360 degrees. This is just one of the many stunning vantage points available.
Dragon Nest Island
We had lunch on this island. The food was delicious seafood in lunch boxes. We sat and ate while looking at the clear seawater. It was truly wonderful.
As we didn't have fins for this trip, I wasn't comfortable swimming and mostly just floated. I was also worried about stepping on the coral, so my wife took on the responsibility of taking underwater photos for the entire trip.
The sea today is very different from yesterday. Today, we encountered a lot of jellyfish and sea wasps, which caused widespread itching.
The clownfish here are bigger than your hand, and they are very easy to spot. You can even see them from the boat.
There are a lot of sea urchins, all big and spiky.
Jellyfish too. 555
Which sea allows you to see Nemo just by standing on a boat? If you enjoy snorkeling, this is the place to be. It's incredibly shallow and teeming with marine life. Overall, it's a fantastic experience.
The Burmese Sea boasts an abundance of natural beauty and pristine ecosystems.
After completing today's trip, the boat returned to Ranong Customs Pier (Lighthouse) around 5:00 PM. A van was waiting to pick us up and take us back to the hotel.
Summary
Another trip to the Burmese Sea has come to an end. If you ask about the beauty of Dragon Island and Heart Island, we think they are beautiful in different ways. If you want to go diving, we think Heart Island is more spectacular, but you also have to take the risk of the weather. We were very lucky on our trip to Heart Island, we didn't encounter any jellyfish or sea wasps, the waves and wind were normal, and the weather was perfect. But if you want the same feeling as Koh Tachai, then Dragon Island is also a good choice. Bring a lot of props, there are many beautiful photo spots. For us, both places are worth it because of the freshness and the pristine condition of the sea. We hope that they will stay like this for a long time, and that even ten years from now, when we come back, it will still be the same.
Thank you for following me to the end.
Apologies for the delay in posting. There were a lot of photos, and I had to select them carefully.
The information provided may be inaccurate or incomplete. We apologize for any errors.
Let's get back to work now. The battery is fully charged.
Ultimately, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my fellow travelers for their unwavering patience and companionship throughout our four-day, three-night adventure.
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Friday, October 4, 2024 3:21 PM