Day 10 (May 4, 2014) of the #limbonisASIA trip: Around Koh Lanta Noi

I took a motorbike, and as normal as I am, I don't know where to go. I've asked the travellers around the hostel for the interesting places in the island, and they were pointing me to a National Park; I was reminded that there's a 200Baht charge though (and if you're taking the motorbike in,another 200baht) so, while I still haven't decided if I'd like to spend 200baht for that park, I thought about checking out the other island first.. Koh Lanta Noi; As I heard, there's not any tourist there, which makes it very interesting.

Just as soon as I arrived in Koh Lanta Noi, the clouds gone darker. I was thinking whether I should stop somewhere, but since the rain hasn't fallen just yet, I thought about heading all the way to the beach.

Just a quick stop over, and drove further towards Krabi. Along the way, the rain dropped, very heavy in fact, so there was no choice but to stop. Luckily, there was a restaurant very close by - sat and asked for coffee.

Being wrong about their assumpption that I'm thai, they attempted to ask me some questions, which i answered anyway.  Chan, the owner, took his guitar and played some thai songs (and he has a good voice really).

Then, he mentioned that there is a football game that's about to start in 20 mins, and I can go with him if I like; I said yes, and little did I know that he'd actually be selling snacks at the game.

We stopped by his tent that's already setup in the field, and I helped out setup the store; We carried all their stuff from one of the classrooms, and as I could tell that they were mentioning about me to the other vendors in the field, others were asking me to help them out and that they'll have something for me (appreciated, but of course, too early for freeebies).

When we were completelly setup, I sat in the chairs in the field, and watched the game.

I got a little bored during halftime, and It was almost 3pm. I said I'm going to leave for now, but I'll come back. I wanted to check out the rest of the island while I still had sunlight.

Chan was telling me there isn't really anything to see further, but I told myself, that is for me to find out what could be interesting.

Probably 15kilometers away, I was seeing some mountains from the highway. I was asking the locals i'd pass by for how I can get there, and to my understanding, they were saying "drive further" which i did.

Then I saw a sign. Turned towards where it is pointing and found the pathway. There wasn't anyone though (and I was wishing I could find a fisherman).

I drove back to the highway, and drove further.

There was another turn, and took it again. Apparently, visitors who wanted to get to that island are taking the jumpoff from here. There's a concrete port (and this new one is probably why the first one I went to was already abandoned).

It will obviously cost a fortune to tour the island myself, and especially that I am not bringin any money, so decided to leave.

I drove back to the football field; Felt hungry so asked for pancakes (and asked that they let me do it, while they teach me how :-) ).

Chan's sister also offered me some popsicle. The popsicle is actually made of frozen cola (coke, sprite, and fanta flavors). 

After I finished my first, she offered a second, and was asking me which flavor i'd like. Before I even said something, she said something that sounded llike "surprise". I thought she's giving me something of her choice.. just a moment later, I realized she was giving me "SPRITE" after it came out white.

I also tried the chicken salad from the other vendor who's Chan's cousin. The chicken sald, with 2 fillets, some vegetables, and plenty of various sauces, was only 25baht. Never bought anything cheaper as that.

Then, she mentioned that Chan actually wanted me stay in their house for the night. I didn't have any clothes with me though, so said, i'll just be back the next day. 

Chan also said he'll ask his brother to bring me with him in the morning when he collects mushroom in the field.

Here's what I spent for Today:

Motorbike Rental - 200Baht

Brunch: 80baht (grilled chicken + sticky rice)

Fuel: 40 Baht

Barge for Me&Bike: 10Baht

Fuel: 50Baht

Coffee: 10Baht

Pancake: 20Baht

Popsicle: 10Baht

Chicken Salad: 25Baht

Bargee for Me&Bike: 10Baht

Dinner: 70Baht

Total Spent for Today: 525THB




This post is part of the #limbonisASIA trip. See here for detailed expenses and more info

I took a motorbike, and as normal as I am, I don't know where to go. I've asked the travellers around the hostel for the interesting places in the island, and they were pointing me to a National Park; I was reminded that there's a 200Baht charge though (and if you're taking the motorbike in,another 200baht) so, while I still haven't decided if I'd like to spend 200baht for that park, I thought about checking out the other island first.. Koh Lanta Noi; As I heard, there's not any tourist there, which makes it very interesting.

Just as soon as I arrived in Koh Lanta Noi, the clouds gone darker. I was thinking whether I should stop somewhere, but since the rain hasn't fallen just yet, I thought about heading all the way to the beach.

Just a quick stop over, and drove further towards Krabi. Along the way, the rain dropped, very heavy in fact, so there was no choice but to stop. Luckily, there was a restaurant very close by - sat and asked for coffee.

Being wrong about their assumpption that I'm thai, they attempted to ask me some questions, which i answered anyway.  Chan, the owner, took his guitar and played some thai songs (and he has a good voice really).

Then, he mentioned that there is a football game that's about to start in 20 mins, and I can go with him if I like; I said yes, and little did I know that he'd actually be selling snacks at the game.

We stopped by his tent that's already setup in the field, and I helped out setup the store; We carried all their stuff from one of the classrooms, and as I could tell that they were mentioning about me to the other vendors in the field, others were asking me to help them out and that they'll have something for me (appreciated, but of course, too early for freeebies).

When we were completelly setup, I sat in the chairs in the field, and watched the game.

I got a little bored during halftime, and It was almost 3pm. I said I'm going to leave for now, but I'll come back. I wanted to check out the rest of the island while I still had sunlight.

Chan was telling me there isn't really anything to see further, but I told myself, that is for me to find out what could be interesting.

Probably 15kilometers away, I was seeing some mountains from the highway. I was asking the locals i'd pass by for how I can get there, and to my understanding, they were saying "drive further" which i did.

Then I saw a sign. Turned towards where it is pointing and found the pathway. There wasn't anyone though (and I was wishing I could find a fisherman).

I drove back to the highway, and drove further.

There was another turn, and took it again. Apparently, visitors who wanted to get to that island are taking the jumpoff from here. There's a concrete port (and this new one is probably why the first one I went to was already abandoned).

It will obviously cost a fortune to tour the island myself, and especially that I am not bringin any money, so decided to leave.

I drove back to the football field; Felt hungry so asked for pancakes (and asked that they let me do it, while they teach me how :-) ).

Chan's sister also offered me some popsicle. The popsicle is actually made of frozen cola (coke, sprite, and fanta flavors). 

After I finished my first, she offered a second, and was asking me which flavor i'd like. Before I even said something, she said something that sounded llike "surprise". I thought she's giving me something of her choice.. just a moment later, I realized she was giving me "SPRITE" after it came out white.

I also tried the chicken salad from the other vendor who's Chan's cousin. The chicken sald, with 2 fillets, some vegetables, and plenty of various sauces, was only 25baht. Never bought anything cheaper as that.

Then, she mentioned that Chan actually wanted me stay in their house for the night. I didn't have any clothes with me though, so said, i'll just be back the next day. 

Chan also said he'll ask his brother to bring me with him in the morning when he collects mushroom in the field.

Here's what I spent for Today:

Motorbike Rental - 200Baht

Brunch: 80baht (grilled chicken + sticky rice)

Fuel: 40 Baht

Barge for Me&Bike: 10Baht

Fuel: 50Baht

Coffee: 10Baht

Pancake: 20Baht

Popsicle: 10Baht

Chicken Salad: 25Baht

Bargee for Me&Bike: 10Baht

Dinner: 70Baht

Total Spent for Today: 525THB




This post is part of the #limbonisASIA trip. See here for detailed expenses and more info

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Day 8 (May 2, 2014) of the #limbonisASIA trip: Phi Phi Tour

Today was a whole day tour in Ko Phi Phi; We left at 11, making sure that I was at the Tour stall by 10:30. The tour normally cost 550 baht but was given 450 baht instead. I thougth it was worth it as it said it included breakfast and lunch. Considering the prices around, i would probably be spending 80-100 baht for lunch anyway.

Left at exactly 11:00am, along with 17 others. Our first stop was the shark point, but there wasn't really any shark.

After 15minutes (plus perhaps 30 minutes of trying to make the engine work), we moved next to the bamboo island.

Honestly, it was only the monkey beach and the maya bay that I was awaiting for in this trip, but I was impressed at the bamboo beach. The color of the water was more than amazing. The sand at the dock was too fine too, i regret it was made the dock area than the swimming area.

I went with my mask to the snorkelling area, but there wasn't really much to see. 

There was also a camping area, and I could only wish I have a night to spend in the island.

Monkey beach was also very good. The sand was so fine, and water was so calm; Not as blue as what we had in bamboo island for it is surrounded by greens, but the water was so clear.

There were some people, from the other groups, who spent more time in the island, as there are kayaks that guests can use.

Maya bay was also nice except that there's plenty of tourists who hang out there. The water is also very shallow that the boat couldn't dock close at a convenient distance. We had to walk the rocky seabed; We also spotted a baby shark that swam around.

We did some snorkelling too, but water is just too itchy with the jellyfishes. Of all the 3 snorkelling sites we visited, I thought Lo Peh would be the best (and also the itchiest). The water was quite deep such that you have a wider view. We did snorkelling too in the Mosquito island but there wasn't also much to see except for the sea urchins. The water is a little shallow too at about 10feet i think. 

The engine was a little difficult to start, so we had to spend some 15-30 minutes everytime. We didn't have enough time to get into the viking cave.

Here's the total cost of Today:

Tour: 450 baht

2 x 3in1 coffee at a supermarket: 8 baht

Cinnamon Bread at Phi Phi Bakery: 30 baht

Entrance fees: 100 baht

Dinner: 100 baht (80 nonsense green curry + 20 soymilk from a convenience store)

Beer: 70baht

Total Spent for Today: 758Baht



This post is part of the #limbonisASIA trip. See link for more stories, detailed expenses and itinerary

Today was a whole day tour in Ko Phi Phi; We left at 11, making sure that I was at the Tour stall by 10:30. The tour normally cost 550 baht but was given 450 baht instead. I thougth it was worth it as it said it included breakfast and lunch. Considering the prices around, i would probably be spending 80-100 baht for lunch anyway.

Left at exactly 11:00am, along with 17 others. Our first stop was the shark point, but there wasn't really any shark.

After 15minutes (plus perhaps 30 minutes of trying to make the engine work), we moved next to the bamboo island.

Honestly, it was only the monkey beach and the maya bay that I was awaiting for in this trip, but I was impressed at the bamboo beach. The color of the water was more than amazing. The sand at the dock was too fine too, i regret it was made the dock area than the swimming area.

I went with my mask to the snorkelling area, but there wasn't really much to see. 

There was also a camping area, and I could only wish I have a night to spend in the island.

Monkey beach was also very good. The sand was so fine, and water was so calm; Not as blue as what we had in bamboo island for it is surrounded by greens, but the water was so clear.

There were some people, from the other groups, who spent more time in the island, as there are kayaks that guests can use.

Maya bay was also nice except that there's plenty of tourists who hang out there. The water is also very shallow that the boat couldn't dock close at a convenient distance. We had to walk the rocky seabed; We also spotted a baby shark that swam around.

We did some snorkelling too, but water is just too itchy with the jellyfishes. Of all the 3 snorkelling sites we visited, I thought Lo Peh would be the best (and also the itchiest). The water was quite deep such that you have a wider view. We did snorkelling too in the Mosquito island but there wasn't also much to see except for the sea urchins. The water is a little shallow too at about 10feet i think. 

The engine was a little difficult to start, so we had to spend some 15-30 minutes everytime. We didn't have enough time to get into the viking cave.

Here's the total cost of Today:

Tour: 450 baht

2 x 3in1 coffee at a supermarket: 8 baht

Cinnamon Bread at Phi Phi Bakery: 30 baht

Entrance fees: 100 baht

Dinner: 100 baht (80 nonsense green curry + 20 soymilk from a convenience store)

Beer: 70baht

Total Spent for Today: 758Baht



This post is part of the #limbonisASIA trip. See link for more stories, detailed expenses and itinerary

Read More »

Budget Backpacker Accomodation: Where I stayed in koh Lanta, Thailand

Just edited this article today. 11th May. 4 of us guests contracted fever, and 1 was diagnosed with dengue. 1 had to be admitted to hospital upon his arrival in India, and as per my torniquet test, mine showing positive too.been havng fever for 5days now and i'm scared it might be the same as the rest. Thing is, this place is cool, but mosquitos are just too much. So.. If u intent to stay here, careful and be ready with massive repellants.

I didn't make prior booking, and not even reading, but remembering that one survivor episode doing their set up in Lanta, i just thought about going from phi Phi; Anyway, it's on the south so shall just be on my way.

From the Boat, i met a thai who volunteered to help me find a room. He has a motorbike waiting at the saladan pier, and he'll drive me somewhere.

When i told him I want a dorm, he knew exactly where to drive me. 

I was dropped at Clazy, and just a sight of the surrounding, I felt so home. I had the dorm option, but thought about taking the bungalow since it's just 50baht difference; plus it will not be so often that i'll be able to afford bungalows or a room, so might take this chance.

And.. So much art and creativity in this place

Below is a bamboo makeshift shower

This post is part of the #limbonisASIA trip. See here for detailed expenses and more info



Travelling Philippines? Follow CheapBedsPH on Instagram for geotagged backpacker accomodation for easier searches

Just edited this article today. 11th May. 4 of us guests contracted fever, and 1 was diagnosed with dengue. 1 had to be admitted to hospital upon his arrival in India, and as per my torniquet test, mine showing positive too.been havng fever for 5days now and i'm scared it might be the same as the rest. Thing is, this place is cool, but mosquitos are just too much. So.. If u intent to stay here, careful and be ready with massive repellants.

I didn't make prior booking, and not even reading, but remembering that one survivor episode doing their set up in Lanta, i just thought about going from phi Phi; Anyway, it's on the south so shall just be on my way.

From the Boat, i met a thai who volunteered to help me find a room. He has a motorbike waiting at the saladan pier, and he'll drive me somewhere.

When i told him I want a dorm, he knew exactly where to drive me. 

I was dropped at Clazy, and just a sight of the surrounding, I felt so home. I had the dorm option, but thought about taking the bungalow since it's just 50baht difference; plus it will not be so often that i'll be able to afford bungalows or a room, so might take this chance.

And.. So much art and creativity in this place

Below is a bamboo makeshift shower

This post is part of the #limbonisASIA trip. See here for detailed expenses and more info



Travelling Philippines? Follow CheapBedsPH on Instagram for geotagged backpacker accomodation for easier searches

Read More »

Where to Eat in Daet, Camarines Norte : Alvino's

 I've had several visits to Camarines Norte, and never did I fail to visit this restaurant.

Plus location is just around the town center, close to the new Jollibee, nxt to the market.

Back in my first visit, without knowing anything and anywhere in Daet, I've asked some locals on where is it great to eat, and 3 out of 3, pointed me to Alvino's.

Here below is their menu. Their inasal is a good buy ;-)

 I've had several visits to Camarines Norte, and never did I fail to visit this restaurant.

Plus location is just around the town center, close to the new Jollibee, nxt to the market.

Back in my first visit, without knowing anything and anywhere in Daet, I've asked some locals on where is it great to eat, and 3 out of 3, pointed me to Alvino's.

Here below is their menu. Their inasal is a good buy ;-)

Read More »