Thailand on one's own: The divine Koh Kradan island
"I need a break," I said, and went to contemplate to Buddhist Thailand
Before leaving for Thailand, I felt I needed a vacation and some time for myself. So I decided to set off as a solo traveler to my beloved lands - Buddhist Thailand and Cambodia. I did not have any specific ideas, so I was inspired by all-knowing Google. When I came across the divine island of Koh Kradan, I immediately made up my mind. Great reviews and beautiful pictures helped me decide. This is where my first steps will lead after arriving in Bangkok.
From Bangkok to Trang and it's off to Koh Kradan
I stayed shortly in Bangkok and then flew to the Trang Province. The best way to get to Koh Kradan is from Trang or Krabi. You will need to use a motorboat or a private boat that departs from the local harbours. I decided to go for the motorboat, with the journey taking about half an hour. Before I knew it, I was standing on the beach, and a local Thai was helping me with my luggage. As I mentioned above, there is nothing like roads on the island, so think twice about what you take with you, watching people with suitcases is quite funny.
Accommodation? I'm for a typical Thai bungalow with a hammock!
Our steps led to a cute, Thai-style bungalow with a hammock. "Yeah, I'm going to lie here after breakfast, lunch and dinner," I thought. I unpacked and went to discover the island. I realized that it would not take too long. The luxurious Koh Kradan has an area of only 240 hectares and is located near the more famous islands of Koh Lanta, Koh Muk, Koh Ngai and Koh Libong. But I realized that it is a pearl that shines a little brighter than the others when I encountered a starfish after walking along a less than 3 km long beach for only a few minutes. In my head I thought, "This azure sea with crystal clear waters hides a lot of secrets and beauty."
The azure sea revealed pufferfish and sea cucumbers
And it did! The beautiful sea offers the best conditions for snorkeling and underwater life. In the few days I had left on the island, I saw, besides the starfish, an infinite number of fish, from Nemo to the pufferfish (sometimes called Blowfish), crabs, hermit crayfish, or sea cucumbers. It is because of the luxurious snorkeling at Koh Kradan that tourists from nearby islands often visit. But after a few hours, they jump back into their boats and return to where they came from. But it was no problem at all to find a place where I had the beach to myself.
How I walked through the jungle to the romantic Sunset Beach and survived!
Even though it was great just lying on the water, I thought it was time for some adventure. So I set out on one of the three possible paths through the jungle towards the popular Sunset Beach, where you can observe a beautiful sunset. What can I say, halfway through the journey I began to lose courage and I tried to convince myself that I am just imagining those strange sounds. However, after several minutes I entered a new world. Beautiful Sunset Beach - Yeah, it was worth it!
Thai cuisine is substituted with Italy
As for food, I was dependent on restaurants. There is one single mini market on the island where you can find chips, lollipops or icecreams. Just exactly what you DO NOT NEED when you are really hungry. In addition to fresh juices, shakes and fruit typical of the island, traditional Thai cuisine is served in most of the local restaurants, combined with popular Italian cuisine. Pizzas, bruschettas and the sweet desserts tiramisu and panna cotta are popular. I myself consumed so much pizza Margherita on Koh Kradan that I still have dreams about it today.
One continental breakfast, please!
And because I am the breakfast queen for whom breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I naturally couldn't miss a continental breakfast. It consisted of croissants, muffins, toasts, butter, jam, cornflakes, yoghurt, coffee and juice. And just like all of Koh Kradan, it was damn luxurious, too.
If you're going to Koh Kradan, fill up your wallet and leave the suitcase on the wheels at home
You will find fragments from my trip to Koh Kradan in the photogallery. And don't forget, if you decide to go to this luxurious island, fill up your wallet before leaving the harbour, pack your bag with medicines and basic hygienic products, and leave the suitcase on the wheels at home. Only then will you be perfectly equipped for the great little paradise of Thailand - Koh Kradan.
