This tour started at Victory Monument in Bangkok on Wednesday where a minibus departed for Koh Chang ferry. This is certainly the quickest road option albeit a little cramped for long distance (315 kms). Minibuses arrive at Center Point ferry terminal for the 30 min. crossing to Saparot Bay, Koh Chang. Prices for pick-up taxis vary according to destination. I needed Sofia Garden Resort, Klong Prao Bay. It is important to catch a taxi on arrival as these only service arrivals from the mainland. At Sofia Resort I paid 900 baht/day but really didn’t take advantage of the facilities.
Thursday was out with a motorbike (200 baht/day) heading for the south of the island at Bang Bao. This is the service point for ferries to other islands. Lunch was taken at the ferry port. This is a beautiful location affording views across the bay but this comes at a price!
Friday was spend out on the motorbike again, this time heading back north and down the eastern side of Koh Chang to Salak Kok. Again this is a beautiful location, as is Salak Phet Bay just a little further. Took lunch at a local restaurant but otherwise there is little else here: You just go for the peace and quiet of this lesser explored side of Koh Chang.
Saturday it was back to the mainland, staying in a backpacker guesthouse, Tattoo. A great contrast from Sofia. I rented a motorbike as I had chance to visit an old friend. Particularly enjoyable was eating out at the night market.
Before returning to Bangkok on Sunday there was time to visit Nam Chieo National Park. Nam Chieo is a picturesque village and the base for touring the mangrove forest and waterways. Highly recommended! It was back by minibus to Bangkok.

Ko Chang (Thai: เกาะช้าง, pronounced Koh Chang) is the third largest island of Thailand (largest island in the Ko Chang Marine Park archipelago), located on the Thai east coast 310 km away from Bangkok near the border to Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The name means Elephant Island. Ko Chang was named for the elephant shape of its headland, although elephants are not indigenous to the island. At present, there are eight villages in total. It is a mountainous island and Khao Salak Phet is the highest peak of all at 744 metres. The island is known for several waterfalls, thriving coral reefs and rainforests. The island has an area of approximately 217 square kilometers.