Lazy days on Kho Larn Island

Monkey Beach

Dreamy moments with great coffee

Escaping the City

Living in the City is very convenient, but ever so often you start to feel trapped by the concrete walls and the noisy traffic.

We decided to go to Kho Larn because we had limited time and it isn't a big hassle to get there.

The easiest way to get there is by bus from Ekkemai Bus station to Pattaya Bus station and from there a Songtaew to Bali Hai Pier.

At Bali Hai Pier there is a Ferry service to the Island about every half hour from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon.

First Impressions

Upon arrival at the Pier on the Island, our guest house owner came to pick us up. He was extremely polite and helpful and he also helped us to rent a motorbike for the duration of our stay.

Our room was big and clean with a view of the ocean. 
 At night we sat on the balcony content with the tranquillity around us and gazed at the distant city lights of the mainland.

How we spend our days on Kho Larn.

Our first morning we ventured into the village looking for a breakfast place.  

After wandering around for a while we found a cosy little cafe right on the edge of the water.

It's the kind of place I would like to spend a few hours reading a book or just sipping on a coffee while watching the ocean.

 What made it more special were the two cats playing around the shop and every now and then one of them would rub against my leg.  We stayed a little longer for another cup of coffee and enjoyed the scenery. 

After Breakfast, we headed towards Monkey beach. The scenery to and from the Monkey beach was really beautiful with lush green hills all around.  At some point in the road, we saw a field of yellow flowers and many people stopped there for pictures.

We found Monkey beach a little too crowded during day time and we got back on the motorbike for more exploring around the island.

 However, we did return there that evening just before sunset and it was quite pleasant.

There were just a few locals and some dogs playing in the water.

This time we stayed to sit on the beach and admire the sunset.  Soon it got dusk and a pinkish colour crept over the ocean and the land. We lingered at the moment until it was dark and we had to return to the village. 

The little village is abuzz during the evenings, with the night market and restaurants full of visitors as well as locals having dinner or just browsing around.

We had dinner at a  small eatery just across from the 7 eleven every night. The atmosphere was friendly with colourful tables and an old lazy resident dog sleeping on the steps. 

The combination of simple local dishes, friendly conversation and a couple of beers certainly made life seemed carefree and uncomplicated.

Beaches

The Island has quite a few beaches. All of them have white sand and clear blue water.

We liked Monkey beach because of the beautiful scenery and Tay Yai beach because it was closer to our guest house.

Tai Yai beach is smaller but in my view the best beach to go to for swimming or just a lazy day on the beach.    

The last word and everything that Kho Larn is not.

Kho  Larn Island is not a party Island and there are no Big Chain Hotels or High Rise buildings. 

The flashy lights from the mainland are not part of the culture on this Island but rather the simple and peaceful life is very much apparent here.
It has a green landscape but it is not a pristine jungle or a castaway tropical island.
It is, in essence, an Island Village with friendly people and a place where city dwellers like to take an escape from the city.

Kho Larn is not expensive and I would say it almost feels a little off the beaten track.
But that is how we like it. 

Kho Larn is not a lot of things but in its simplicity lies its magic.

We were sad to leave and hope to return there sometime for another short break.

  

 
   
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