Paper lanterns come in various shapes and sizes, as well as various methods of construction. In their simplest form, they are simply a paper bag with a candle placed inside, although more complicated lanterns consist of a collapsible bamboo or metal frame of hoops covered with tough paper.
During dinner one night the hotel staff asked us if we'd like to release a lantern into the sky. I've never done this but that it was a pretty cool idea. After dinner the staff brought us a large paper lantern which they lit and gave to us. All we really had to do was let it fly. It was certainly memorable watching the lanterns float away in the distance. Enjoy the video.
During my recent trip to Thailand my daily activity involved venturing out on a local Longtail boat to the islands just off the coastline. Most of these islands were a short 20 minute boat ride from my hotel and offered some of the most breathtaking snorkeling and sunbathing that I've ever experienced. I visited Four Island (Poda Island, Tub Island, Chicken Head Island, Pranang Cave), Hong Island, and Phi Phi Island - to name a few. Hong island was the first one I visited and it made a very lasting impression.
Hong Island (Koh Hong) stands out as one of the most beautiful islands off the Andaman coast. As you approach from the sea you notice towering limestone formations that inspire images of a deserted island from a dream. Koh Hong’s name comes from the Thai word “Hong” which translates loosely into “room”. That's because in the middle of this beautiful island there lies a hidden lagoon with water so clear that you can see the bottom of the lagoon at all times. The coral reefs here are amazing and you will also find siphons and an abundance of brightly colored tropical fish swimming happily around your feet.
To enter the lagoon you have to pass through a small corridor between two cliffs that act as a doorway or secret passage. The cliffs surround the lagoon completely except for this relatively narrow opening and protects it from the waves of the sea. As a result the lagoon water is almost completely still and crystal clear. Mangroves line the edges of the lagoon near the cliff walls while trees and bush hang down on and around the walls themselves. The lagoon itself was worth the 20 minute boat ride but the beach that followed absolutely made Hong Island a must visit in my mind.
Pelay beach boasts powder white sand and wonderful coral and fish. I spent much of the time on this beach feeding and swimming with the fishes, who were just as curious about me as I was about them. The beach is almost enclosed by cliffs and rocks and has very calm and clear waters which is perfect for snorkeling. Many of the tourists on the beach spent their time sunbathing or feeding the hundreds of tropical fish that swam close to shore. The fishes were certainly not shy and became pretty aggressive once you started feeding them.
After a few hours on the beach we decided to head back to the resort to spend the rest of the afternoon lounging near the pool. The sun had taken its toll and it was time to relax in the shade.
As always, I'll leave you with a few more pictures from my trip to Hong island. Enjoy.
Thailand can be many things to many people. Bangkok, for example, is a world of excitement and access to all things elicit for those looking for some red light action and nightlife. Head out of Bangkok and south towards the beautiful coastline and Thailand becomes a tropical paradise unparalleled in beauty to any other place on earth. After spending some time in Thailand I can say unequivocally that it is the most beautiful place that I've ever traveled to, and I've done my share of traveling.
Most people who travel to Thailand in search of a tropical getaway head straight to one of the more popular tourist destinations like Phuket island or Phi Phi island. These destinations, while as beautiful as any other on the Thailand coast, are often packed with tourist year round and may not afford you any seclusion, if that's what you're looking for. However, if you're hoping to avoid the massive crowds and still lounge in paradise one often overlooked destination on the Thailand coast is Krabi.
Krabi is a town on the west coast of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River where it empties in Phangnga Bay. As of 2005 the town had a population of 24,986 people. The town is the capital of Krabi Province and Krabi district. You'll find many beautiful, secluded resorts in the Krabi province including the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Sofitel Krabi, and the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort to name a few. Recently I had the pleasure of traveling to Thailand and staying at the Sheraton Krabi for 10 days and absolutely fell head over heels in love with it.
The Sheraton far exceeded my expectations. The property is clean, beautifully landscaped and meticulously well kept. It is one of the top rated hotels on Tripadvisor for the Krabi region, which I think sums it all up. From the hotel location in Krabi I ventured daily by boat to the surrounding islands like Hong island, Four island, and Phi Phi islands. The snorkeling in Thailand is the best I've seen, having snorkeled in most of the Caribbean islands, Mexico, and South East Asia Thailand stands out. The islands off the coast of Krabi are the epitome of tropical paradise. There were also a few nameless (to me anyway) islands that we stopped and explored on the way that would give many of the Caribbean islands a run for their money.
In the next few posts I'll get into more detail about the beautiful islands off the coast of Thailand and blog about some other adventures we had inland. For now though, let me leave you with a few shots of Krabi and the Sheraton.
Congratulations, for better or for worse, you've found me. I started this blog to record my travels and various life experiences, you can call it my digital diary. Born and raised in the Caribbean I now live in Toronto, Canada. I enjoy technology, travel, and experiencing new foods.
