Eating Our Way Through South East Asia: Ko Lanta -Klong Khong and Snorkeling Adventure

For budget related reasons we moved to Klong Khong Beach, a 10 minute drive from Thai House Beach Resort, and stayed at Lanta Family Resort for the remaining three nights in Ko Lanta. Again our bungalow was a whopping 150 meters from the ocean and for a much cheaper rate! And as the Thai's say it was "same same, but different."

The bungalow:

The beach was same same but different... Same beautiful clear water, but smaller, less extensive, white sandy beaches.

But pretty much, "same same:"

A morning low tide:

Little bungalow to eat/ lounge in:

We often ate at our hotel's restaurant, before we stumbed upon a much cheaper, Muslim run, Indian restaurant on the highway, but until then we ate mounds of Thai food there. One day I decided to inquire about the different and unique sounding salads that they had listed on their menu such as, a seymour, zeza and cheese of shedding salad.

After asking about what a zeza salad was, we realized they meant caesar salad after they kept saying ceza ceza (cee-zaa) while laughing. They still weren't able to tell me what a seymour salad was (I am pretty sure they didn't know what it was either) and moving forward I (Katie) was coined the nickname by the hotel staff zeza."Hi zeza, hey zeza, zezaaaa!

The salad menu:

It is interesting to think about how different cultures and countries interpret the English language. We are thinking of starting a company that goes around correcting all the Thai signage... What do you think? However, somehow the funny signs everywhere truly add to the magical and charming dynamic that Thailand possesses.

Here is a picture of a lovely coconut shake we ordered as we sun bathed on the beach... Feeling pretty darn greatful and spoiled that we are here.

Coconut shake:

On our second to last day in Ko Lanta, we booked a 4 island snorkling day trip that brought us to the small islands by long tail boat: Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, Ko Maa, and the "oh so exciting," Ko Mook (Emerald Cave).

Snorkeling at Ko Maa and Koh Kradan was absolutely beautiful and had amazing rainbow colored fish, vibrant coral reefs and visibility about twenty meters down. At times we were surrounded by schools of fish, which was crazy, but since we were underwater we have no photos to show until the underwater disposable camera photos are developed.

The Emerald Cave on Ko Mook was the most amazing adventure and site we have seen yet. You swim behind and follow your tour guide, who is wearing a single head lamp into a completely pitch black cave. When you first enter the cave all you can see are the sharp and smooth looking limestone cave walls, along with deep, blue torquoise water, which is lit up at the beginning and end of the cave via the sunshine. In the middle of the cave you swim in absolutely darkness... You really have to make sure you are following the tour guide or who knows what could happen. Once you reach the other end of the cave you get to this stunning, unreal, glowing, blue water (straight out of Pirates of The Carribean movie) beach completely enclosed by towering cliffs. It was so perfect it seemed fake.

The entrance to The Emerald Cave:

Aidan right in front of the cave exit:

A pano of The Emerald Cave:

The cave used to be a place where the pirates stored their stolen booty and treasure... Arrrrrrg!

Here's a sign that describes the history of The Emerald Cave:

Scenic pics on the boat ride:

After some more snorkeling and cruising around on the long tail boat, we arrived to Koh Ngai. It was almost bizarre how perfect the beach was here. The water was crystal clear and vibrant turquoise blue. We ate lunch, swam around and enjoyed the surreal scenery.

Here are some pics from Koh Ngai island:

One for Travel Magazine: