Ko Lanta: The Thai Iceland That Remains paradise

Ko Lanta: The Thai Iceland That Remains paradise -

It all started with two French girls. It was 06 and I was traveling for 5 months in my first round the world. I'd weeks ago in Thailand 2 came, running into a friend, and Jet to Ko Phi Phi from, a place that I do not enjoy. Another friend wrote me a nice, out-of-the-way hidden island near the border with Malaysia called Ko Lipe and suggested I come. It sounded perfect. "I'll be right there," I replied.

But then I ran into the beautiful French girl with her seductive accents.

before a couple of nights, I'd met her at one of the many bars on the island. I looked back on the ferry to the mainland; they were going to Ko Lanta. I had never heard of it, but when they invited me to come, I have my Ko Lipe plans held and joined them.

I can never say no to a French accent.

[1945001inKoLanta] arrived, we found ourselves on a paradise island, which has since become one of my favorite places in Thailand.

Back in 06, the island was rustic. It had only a few resorts, restaurants or bars, and most bungalows had only cold water and fans. Air conditioning and hot water were a luxury. Even in the most touristic beach during the high season, there was hardly a soul. The bar was busy as if they had more than five people in it. We spent four days biking the island, lying on the beach to watch gorging on cheap seafood and some of the most incredible sunsets of my life.

[1945001KoLanta] was paradise. A beautiful, seemingly unknown location in a known as the epicenter of Thailand tourism region. As everyone manages this paradise with its long and wide white sandy beaches to miss cheap food and sunsets (the island is to the west) boggled my mind.

But loss of each was my gain, and these four days a deep impression on me.

When I returned to Ko Lanta in 09, I was nervous. Three years had passed. That's a long time in Thailand. Development happens as a sandstorm, and Ko Lanta names are more common on sites and among travelers was. I feared the worst: my tiny little beach bungalows replaced by resorts and the quiet filled with bars and overpriced restaurants beaches. would Gone are the days of $ 6 bungalows be.

I stepped off the ferry, took a deep breath and ... exhaled a huge sigh of relief. Yes, the prices were higher because more people were, and some resorts had dived, but the low-key, relaxed nature of the island remained intact. The beaches had not been overly pronounced, it was not rubbish everywhere, it was still easy most beach to get to himself, and cheap bungalows still existed.

Fast forward to February 2014 when I took my trip to Thailand group to Ko Lanta. With its white sandy beaches, delicious seafood, abundance of activities and relaxed atmosphere, it was the perfect way to end the tour.

But again, I held my breath.

There was again years ago that I was on the island, and also the latest pictures, although I had seen that the island was still beautifully illustrated, I was still worried.

But I was worried for nothing.

The island was still the paradise, and while more developed than before - with a few high-end resorts, international restaurants, and higher prices - seclusion and tranquility nor offered

Ko Lanta seems to resist any trend in tourism in Thailand. Despite its growing popularity, it was not like any other island in the country is overdeveloped. There are a lot of potential here, and with its beautiful beaches and sunsets, this place the next Ko Samui, Krabi could be easily or Phuket.

But it does not have.

And that's good for us. Uncontrolled development has ruined many islands in Thailand, Koh Lanta but has remained paradise for a few reasons. It's pretty hard, because the ferries are working to get the car. Only so many people can be brought over at once. The government has continued its efforts focused to develop on other parts of the region, and the local, close-knit community was completely matched, as they want the island to develop. This Community cooperation (rare in Thailand) it has the free-for-all development fate of other Thai islands.

to avoid allows

I'm not sure how this will take a long time, especially as the construction of a bridge from the mainland ends. In Thailand nothing is ever certain. Your island paradise could be your island hell turn within the span of a single season.

For now, Ko Lanta remains one of the best islands to visit in Thailand and my island paradise.

Someday I'll ago, these two French girls and thank you for bringing me here all these years.

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