Day 1, Wednesday 23 February - Koh Chang
Dream Island....... With one long distance tour completed already this month we're ready for another but this time not to Isan. My companion Katoon has no need to visit family so we're off to the beach to do what feels more natural. This time we head to a remote but still popular island off the eastern shores of the Gulf of Thailand.
The tour starts at Victory Monument in Bangkok on where a passenger van departs for the Koh Chang ferry. It's a long journey and cramped in this type of vehicle with not much room for luggage which thankfully is ok since we are travelling light. This is certainly the quickest road option though but a long distance of 315 kms. Passenger vans arrive at Center Point ferry terminal for the 30 min. crossing to Sapharot Bay, Koh Chang. Here prices for songtheaw taxis vary according to destination. I need 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 pay 900 baht/night but really don't take advantage of the facilities.
Day 2, Thursday 24 February - Koh Chang
To achieve some level of independence we need to hire transport and a motorbike at 200 baht/day will do. We first head south of the island to Bang Bao. This is the service point for ferries to other islands. Lunch is taken at the ferry port. This is a beautiful location affording views across the bay, but island hospitality comes at a price!
Day 3, Friday 25 February - Koh Chang
Today it's 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. We Take 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.
Day 4, Satuday 26 February - Trat
Today it is back to the mainland, staying in the backpacker guesthouse, Tattoo, a great contrast from Sofia. Here I rent a motorbike as I had chance to visit an old friend. Particularly enjoyable is eating out at the night market in Trat.
Day 5, Sunday 27 February - Bangkok
Today, before returning to Bangkok today there is time to visit Nam Chieo. Nam Chieo is a picturesque village and the base for touring the mangrove forest and waterways and highly recommended! It's now back by passenger van to Bangkok from Trat after completing a memorable exotic island tour.
Dream Island....... With one long distance tour completed already this month we're ready for another but this time not to Isan. My companion Katoon has no need to visit family so we're off to the beach to do what feels more natural. This time we head to a remote but still popular island off the eastern shores of the Gulf of Thailand.
The tour starts at Victory Monument in Bangkok on where a passenger van departs for the Koh Chang ferry. It's a long journey and cramped in this type of vehicle with not much room for luggage which thankfully is ok since we are travelling light. This is certainly the quickest road option though but a long distance of 315 kms. Passenger vans arrive at Center Point ferry terminal for the 30 min. crossing to Sapharot Bay, Koh Chang. Here prices for songtheaw taxis vary according to destination. I need 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 pay 900 baht/night but really don't take advantage of the facilities.
Day 2, Thursday 24 February - Koh Chang
To achieve some level of independence we need to hire transport and a motorbike at 200 baht/day will do. We first head south of the island to Bang Bao. This is the service point for ferries to other islands. Lunch is taken at the ferry port. This is a beautiful location affording views across the bay, but island hospitality comes at a price!
Day 3, Friday 25 February - Koh Chang
Today it's 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. We Take 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.
Day 4, Satuday 26 February - Trat
Today it is back to the mainland, staying in the backpacker guesthouse, Tattoo, a great contrast from Sofia. Here I rent a motorbike as I had chance to visit an old friend. Particularly enjoyable is eating out at the night market in Trat.
Day 5, Sunday 27 February - Bangkok
Today, before returning to Bangkok today there is time to visit Nam Chieo. Nam Chieo is a picturesque village and the base for touring the mangrove forest and waterways and highly recommended! It's now back by passenger van to Bangkok from Trat after completing a memorable exotic island tour.
Trat Province
Center Point Ferry Pier,
Leam Ngop District
Bang Bao, Koh Chang Tai,
Koh Chang District
Salak Khok, Koh Chang Tai,
Koh Chang District
Klong Prao Beach, Koh Chang,
Koh Chang District
Sapharot Bay, Koh Chang,
Koh Chang District
Nam Chieo, Laem Ngop District