When we talk about beautiful islands of Trang province, many people would think of Koh Kradan, Koh Rok, Koh Muk, Koh Ngai. Very few people would know Koh Lao Liang, even the local Trang would ask where is this island.

And this is exactly why I want to go to this beautiful island of Trang province and get to know more about Koh Lao Liang. Then, I book the package of Lao Liang Beach & Koh Lao Liang in a promotion price of " Chill Travel on the Working Days" It is the Package B of 3 Days 2 Nights Sea View Camping Tent for 5,500 THB /each.

And then I also drag two of my friends to stay on this island with me (let them also have adventurous life, haha).

Well, just by knowing that we will be staying in the tent is already fun, so let's go now!

PS. This trip, I use the iPhone 5s taking all the photos.

Day 1 29 Mar 2016

After the staff picks up one of our friends from the Trang airport at 9 a.m., he comes to pick two of us up at the Trang Bus Terminal with the white Toyota Innova. It is very comfy for 3 passengers. The driver named P'Somphong, he's very friendly. We asked him about the delicious grilled pork shop as we wanted to buy some home. He takes us to the Buabok Grilled Pork, so then we buy 300g in a price of 120 THB to taste. The shop chop the grilled pork into smaller pieces which is very easy to eat. It tastes very good, with a bit of sweet and spices' smell. We wanted to order some home so we keep their name card.

When seeing grilled pork, I realize that the resort prohibit us to bring any products made from pork to the island. So we ask P'Somphong why, he said whoever brings pork onto the island will experience misfortune due to island's guardian spirit is Islam so he didn't allow pork products on the island. We almost stop eating even though the meat is still in our mouth. But we still asked jokingly that whether the pork in our stomach counts? haha.

From downtown Trang, we are heading towards Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier at Hat Samran district. It is a 50 km. ride. I would get lost coming alone as the route is quite complicated and with few directional signs. Once we arrive at the pier, we still have some time left for restroom and resting. The boat is to depart at 11.30 a.m.

The travel boat is the long-tailed boat that can take up to 15 passengers. Besides, they also transport other things like drinking water bottles, raw materials, etc. There's cover at the seat both at the roof and the sides so you can be sure that you won't get sunburn while taking this boat.

Today the sun is very strong, we can hardly open our eyes when looking ahead. The wave is also strong. The boat keeps hitting strong waves and it rocks back and forth all the way. We got quite dizzy that we have to close our eyes all the way. If you get sea-sick easily, I recommend you to take the pill beforehand. It takes about an hour to arrive at the island.

Once we arrive, the staff welcome us with a glass of mango juice. It is delicious and refreshing and really can ease out our dizziness ( I come to learn later that it is the UFC black bottle mango juice). Then, we put our stuff at the tent before going for lunch. This is the first meal included in our package.The lunch starts from 11.30-14.30 p.m.. But before we could have it, it's already 13.00 p.m. and other tourists have almost finished it. This meal, we have Fried Shrimp and Squid with Pepper and Squash Soup. I didn't take any photo as the food is only left for three people.

The island we stay is called "Koh Lao Liang Noi". It is a small island with only one beach. Though, it is spacious enough for us to walk to eat, to chill at the bar, to use restroom, to sleep in the tent,to play water and simply enjoy the beach.

Since electricity is only available at night and morning, so there's not so many facilities. There's no air conditioning, TV or other type of electrical utilities. What I see is just the fan. Most of our lives are spent at the tent so it's really like we stuck on this island....

There's not so many activities for people who stuck on the island. We can either go for kayaking (200THB/hour) or snorkeling for corals and Nemo fish (the snorkel is for free). It is recommended to snookering at when the sun is bright because the water is crystal clear, you can clearly see the fish. After 4 p.m. when the sun is about to set, it is difficult to see those fish. We can also either borrow the mat for reading on the beach or simply enjoy sleeping at the shop and go for cold refreshments at the bar. We three have coke party everyday (we each have 4 cans in 3 days and we complain about gaining weight, haha). Soft drink is 30 THB each can (small can). We write down what we have and pay together with the rest of accommodation fee after the deposit before we leave the island.

This island limit the tourists to not over 50 visitors per day(during the long holidays, the number goes up to 100). There's two people and three people tents. Altogether, there's about 25 tents. Inside the tent is divided into two parts which are the sleeping area and the living area with table, lamp, fan, and water. It is not that crowed. It might look dirty from outside but it's clean inside. They provide the towel one each and we have to bring our own shower facilities like shampoo, soap, toothpaste. There's only 2 chargers (2 holes). So we have to manage phone battery charger well as we also need to plug in the fan at night. I must say that it's super hot at the daytime and we can't stay inside, so, let's go out.

The restroom is made from wood and separates male and female zone.The shower room and the toilet is also separated as well as the basin and the mirror. Each restroom could be a bit dark as there's no electricity at day time but it's really clean. If you want, you can also just wear your slipper while taking shower. Since this island has no fresh water, it needs to be transported from the shore. So we have to help save the water. If you are afraid that your face could be allergic to this water, you can also bring the drinking water to wash your face for the peace of mind :)

After having lunch, we are just taking rest and relax for today. We take photos, lying at the sleeping cradle, getting our coke party going and just chitchatting until 16.00 p.m. that we start to get into the water.

It's at 16.00 p.m. when the rock climbing activity starts. If you buy the package B, you can do it for free. Otherwise, it is 300 THB (climbing devices included). I mostly see the Westerners climb in pairs. When you are floating in the water and seeing them climbing is quite enjoyable (I didn't take any photo as I enjoy watching too much, hehe).

Around 17.00 p.m., we start to take shower as we don't want to take at night. In fact, we shouldn't play too late too as we might get hit by small species of Ray. It is very painful and we might have to go to hospital if got bite. We have to be very calm when taking shower here as the water runs very slowly. Just thinking that we are here for slow life :)

Dinner starts at 19.00 p.m. It has Green Curry, Fried Fish with Pickle, Fried Mixed Vegetable and I forgot the last menu ^^" For desserts, we have watermelon, pineapple and pumpkin sweet. Before we got on the boat, P'Somphong recommended us to try blue crab. He guaranteed that it is fresh and delicious. At first, we were thinking to order one kg. for 400 THB but he ordered 2 kg. for us. We can go pick up the steamed crab at the pier and take it with us here. We can directly pay with P'Somphong (2 kg. for 800 THB). We plan to have it for dinner. At first, we were afraid that we might not finish it, but it's all gone, haha. When eating with the seafood sauce provided by the accommodation, it's just so good. The crab meat is so fresh and sweet, just so so delicious that I forgot to take photos. Oh, almost forgot, the chef can help us heat up the crab again here. Dinner serves in buffet style. Everything is so delicious,even the sweetened pumpkin, so appetizing, such a good life.

Around 20.30 p.m., there's an activity to see Hairy Leg Mountain Crab which is a rare crab that can be found only at a few islands. We also never seen one and didn't know how it looks like. The guide named Nui leads the way. We walk behind the tent and restroom as this area is a mountain with caves. He said that Hairy Leg Mountain Crab likes to stay in caves and dark area. This type of crabs like to go out at night. In addition to the three of us, there's another Thai family of about 6 people going. Since we have talked loud, we didn't see even one Hairy Leg Mountain Crab (I'm so disappointed). We only see the Hermit Crab coming out for water at the stalactites. But it's good that at least we can see spectacular stalactites. When we shine light at them, they are sparkling like diamond. We can see this only at night. This is such a miracle since this is not a deep cave. Probably the photos here are not that beautiful, but I really want you to have some glimpse of it. Where there's no sign that we will see the Hairy Leg Mountain Crab, we walk down to the beach. The water now goes down a lot, there's a lot of crabs running around. When we look at the sky, the countless stars are also sparkling. I've never seen this many stars on the island before. It's like the sky is so close to us. If you are here for honeymoon, it'd be so romantic. What an atmosphere! We three can just look up to the stars and feel the feeling, haha.

The weather is so hot tonight. I feel so sticky. It is also dark all around with only lights at certain points, feeling so not used to T_T I'm also not sleepy so I play with my phone for a while. When I turn around to look at my friends, they two already sleep. So I guess I must turn off the light now. When the light is off, it gets even darker. I feel scared now. Everything looks scary now. Let's try to see...

Good night....

Day 2 30 Mar 2016

Good morning. This morning we wake up just in time for the sun to rise. Such a good weather. The breakfast starts at 07.30 a.m. with simple menu like omelet, fried eggs, pancake, toast, cereal with fresh milk, tea, coffee, ovaltine.

At 9.00 a.m. we start our snorkeling program with the long-tailed boat. It is so exclusive with only three of us on board. We will go to Koh Takiang first with about 20 minutes ride. But the wave is too strong that the tour guide didn't let us down. The wave is so strong that the water keep splashing into the boat. It's like we are playing the Songkran festival. Even we have yet go in the water, we are already wet. If you get sea sick easily, please prepare yourself in advance. Sometime, simply closing the eyes and singing also helps...

We have our first snorkeling at Koh Lao Liang Pee. The wave is a bit strong and the water is not so clear. The tour guide takes us to where the color corals are situated. The color corals are not that many but a lot of seaweed. Even with long sleeves, I'm still itchy a bit. From here, we will go the beach of Koh Lao Liang Pee.

"Koh Lao Liang Pee" is a small on the left of Koh Lao Liang Nong (if we look from Koh Lao Liang Nong on the way here). Or on the south of Koh Lao Liang Nong which is very close. It takes only 5 minutes on the long-tailed boat ride. It is the island that prohibit all sort of construction. It is under the care of Petra Islands National Park. We can stop by here for travel purpose.

The highlight here is that the sand is very soft, we can fully step on it without having to mind about shells debris or rock. The mountain is outstandingly stood above the super crystal clear sea. It is certainly a wow, I can't help but take out my camera right away. There's also a cave that we can have the silhouette photo and beautiful view. But it could be a bit difficult for small person like me, lucky that our tour guide is very strong. He pulls me up with his one hand, so strong. On the way down, we also must be careful or we can get some small injury. If we are lucky, we could also see Crown-of-thorns Starfish sunbathing. Yet, we are quite unlucky, we didn't see any. Oh well, let's go back to enjoy our Nemo fish instead then....

We didn't stay long at Koh Lao Liang Pee. Soon, we move to Koh Lao Liang Nong for snorkeling and see the Nemo fish at the beach. We follow our tour guide. Here, the water is clearer and the sun is great. We find more corals and fish here than on Koh Lao Liang Pee. We also see Nemo and sea flowers. We enjoy our underwater time for hour, very enjoyable indeed. The best time for snorkeling is late morning to noon as after 15.00 p.m. when the sun starts to fade then the water is also not as clear *** We should only snorkeling at the area reserved for us. When going out of this area, we should have the tour guide going with us since there's Morey Eel around and we might get bite if we annoy them.

After snorkeling, we go straight for food, so hungry, haha. Today we have Fried Shrimp and Squid with Basil. It is super delicious. This afternoon, we also have freestyle program. After food we go take a bath and come back for coke party near the bar and just chitchatting. Then, about 16.00 p.m. we are getting ready to enjoy the water again. Well, after all, this is what we can do as the life of islanders, haha.

Dinner for tonight is Sweet and Sour Shrimp and Squid, Masaman Chicken, Deep Fried Chong Mong Stingray, Fried Eggs with Liang and the sweetened potato for dessert. We also have our own special menu. Well, this afternoon, we were talking that we wanted to have blue crab again and we learned that there'll be a boat coming at 15.00 p.m. so we order 2 kg. again. This trip, we have spent 1,600 THB for this blue crab already so some photos for memory is needed, haha. PS. the seafood sauce is also very delicious, like usual.

Several people might wonder what is Chong Mong fish. We also had the same feeling at first. We asked Nui (our tour guide for Hairy Leg Mountain Crab), he said that it is a small species of stingray. It likes to come up to the shore at late afternoon. A Western kid used to get bite and needed to be sent to the hospital. So we shouldn't stay in the water too late, it could get dangerous.

Tonight, again we have appointed with Nui to see Hairy Leg Mountain Crab. The different is we three will go exclusively without other group. It is good because this crab doesn't like loud voice. And it works. We see the leg of it at the small hole on the ground. We are so delighted. Our faces are on the ground to look for it. But probably, the crab scares us, so we didn't get to see its face.

Then, we continue walking for another minute, Nui calls us with the flashlight swinging in his hand and points us to a higher hole. Oh!! that's Hairy Leg Mountain Crab. Although we never see one, but our instinct tells us it is them.

This time, we see more part of the crab. From the first crab, we only saw its leg. Nui tells us this this is a male crab and we try to look at how it looks. The crab also seems to notice that we are looking at it so it just disappears.

Oh well.....I didn't have time to capture a shot yet....

Nui said it's difficult to get a shot of it as it always stays inside the hole. We are already very lucky to get to see it.

Then, we keep on walking and find another Hairy Leg Mountain Crab who loses one leg walking on the sand. This is the first time we get to see it clearly and closely. Not only that, we also get to touch it. Its skin is a bit rocky and slippery, probably they want to harmonize to the nature they live in. Nui said this is the female crab. So we asked what's different between the male and female crab. He said, the male crab is stronger and bigger. This female crab's leg might get injured but it will reborn again. Wow, it's so good, they can regenerate their legs. He also said that we three are very lucky to see three crabs at one night. Usually, people see one each night. After that, we go enjoy the stars near the sea while watching the crabs running around and the stars glittering all over the sky. Although the stars are less than yesterday, at least the Venus is looking at us.

Day 3 31 Mar 2016

Today we intend to take photography after breakfast. Still, we have a lot of time left. We spend time by taking photos, lying down, enjoying the sea view, reading books, and chitchatting in front of our tent. We borrow the mat to lie on the beach. It's like we are picnicking near the sea. Everything is very quiet. In addition to our talking voice and the wind, everything else is completely still. Our mind can relax so does our heart. Happiness is all around. This is truly a nature healing. The sun is shining on the sea as if to inspire hope and encouragement. I think this is not a coincident thing the nature mean to give it to us.

Our last lunch has the same menu as our first lunch when we arrived. There's a cargo boat so we get to enjoy our coke party. Last night we ran out of ice and we need cold refreshment regularly. The strange feeling now comes. Are we really going back now? When the staff calls us on boat, I yet feel like going home. And we didn't get to leave right away as the boat gets broken and can't be fixed right away. Well, is it because we didn't say farewell to the guardian spirit yet? Finally, we move to the other boat with the total open air seats. It is very windy. Let the wind take us home now.

We three farewell our trip at the Richy which is the shop we went on our last visit. It has both food and cake and air conditioning. The food is tasty. We spend about an hour here before going to each of our home with good memory.

Koh Lao Liang is an ideal place for those who want to relax and stay with nature because this island is very peaceful, not chaotic and you can stay with the nature 24 hours. You will get the true rest and fully charge your battery both body and mind. If anyone likes air-conditioning or loves comfortable life, you might not like it here so much because it is quite hot and with little facilities. But the nature lover would have no problem. Well, it's like you gain some and you lose some.....depends on what you prefer more. And I will say, if you choose to come here, you would not be disappointed.

-End-

Story by Talkative Cat

Let's look in details of each package (normal price)

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Package A Island Tour and Corals (2 Days 1 Night)

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Day 1

09:00 a.m. Pick up at Trang Bus Terminal, Trang Railway Station,Trang Airport

10.30 a.m. Leave downtown Trang and go to Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier

11.30 a.m. Leave Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier to Koh Lao Liang with 15 seats on long-tailed boat

12:30 p.m. Arrive at the accommodation and have lunch (1st meal)

13:30 p.m. Check in and put stuff at the accommodation

- Snorkeling for corals and fish in front of the accommodation (free of charge)

- Kayaking to see the view around the island (additional charge)

- Rock climbing at 15:30 p.m. (additional charge)

19:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner (2nd meal)

20.30 p.m. Gather at the restaurant and the staff will take us to see the rare Hairy Leg Mountain Crab

21:00 p.m. Take a rest in a peaceful atmosphere, cool weather near the sea and enjoy the refreshments at the bar near the beach

Day 2

07:30 a.m. Breakfast (3rd meal)

09:00 a.m. Free style activities (The island provides the snookering trip to Koh Lao Liang Pee and Koh Lao Liang Nong for 500 THB each from 9.00 - 11.00 a.m.)

11:00 a.m. Check Out

11:30 a.m. Lunch on the island (4th meal)

12:30 p.m. Leave for Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier

13:30 p.m. Arrive at Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier

14:30 p.m. Drop the tourists off at the designed place and safely return home

The price per person for Package A

- The tent without sea view is 3,500 THB.

- The sea view tent is 4,000 THB.

* Children aged 1-2 is free of charge, Children aged 3-9 discount for 40% and children aged 10-12 gets 25% discount and stay at the additional bed with parents.*

** We reserve the rights to change the program accordingly to the weather.**

Activities without additional charge*

- Climbing to see the view of the sea

- Fishing at the beach (bring your own equipment)

- Snorkeling at the beach (the mask and snorkel is free of charge)

The cost according to the package

Includes one night sea camping, a breakfast, a dinner and two lunches, pick up from either bus terminal, railway station or the airport, pick up from Hat Samran Pier, mask and snorkel, drinking water, tea, coffee, and ovaltine throughout the trip

The additional cost to the package

- Additional stay over and 4 meals is 1,700 THB each (2 people for each tent).

- The sea view tent is 500 THB each.

- Snorkeling at Koh Lao Liang Pee and Koh Lao Liang Nong is 500 THB each.

- Kayaking rent is 200 THB/hour.

- 1 route of rock climbing is 300 THB.

- In case if you are travelling not according to what has arranged, please contact to rent the boat.

- For picking up and dropping off at Krabi Airport, please contact for more information.

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Package B Island Tour and Corals (3 Days 2 Night)

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Day 1

09:00 a.m. Pick up at Trang Bus Terminal, Trang Railway Station,Trang Airport

10.30 a.m. Leave downtown Trang and go to Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier

11.30 a.m. Leave Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier to Koh Lao Liang with 15 seats on long-tailed boat

12:30 p.m. Arrive at the accommodation and have lunch (1st meal)

13:30 p.m. Check in and put stuff at the accommodation

- Snorkeling for corals and fish in front of the accommodation (free of charge)

- Kayaking to see the view around the island (additional charge)

15.30 p.m. Meet with the challenge of rock climbing and actually climb it (equipment included)

19:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner (2nd meal)

20.30 p.m. Gather at the restaurant and the staff will take us to see the rare Hairy Leg Mountain Crab

21:00 p.m. Take a rest in a peaceful atmosphere, cool weather near the sea and enjoy the refreshments at the bar near the beach

Day 2

07:30 a.m. Breakfast (3rd meal)

09:00 a.m. Gather at the restaurant to take the snorkeling equipment and go to snorkeling at Koh Lao Liang Pee and Koh Lao Liang Nong by the 15 seats long-tailed boat

11:30 a.m. Get back to the accommodation at Koh Lao Liang Nong and have lunch (4th meal)

13:00 p.m. Free style activities

15:00 p.m. For those who want to climb the rock again, please contact the staff (additional cost)

19:00 น. Buffet dinner (5th meal)

21:00 p.m. Take a rest in a peaceful atmosphere, cool weather near the sea and enjoy the refreshments at the bar near the beach

Day 3

07:30 a.m. Breakfast (6th meal)

09:00 a.m. Free style activities

11:00 a.m. Check Out

11:30 a.m. Lunch on the island (7th meal)

12:30 p.m. Leave for Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier

13:30 p.m. Arrive at Pakpron-Hat Samran Pier

14:30 p.m. Drop the tourists off at the designed place and safely return home

The price per person of Package B

- The tent without sea view is 6,000 THB.

- The sea view tent is 6,500 THB.

* Children aged 1-2 is free of charge, Children aged 3-9 discount for 40% and children aged 10-12 gets 25% discount and stay at the additional bed with parents.*

** We reserve the rights to change the program accordingly to the weather.**

Activities without additional charge*

- Climbing to see the view of the sea

- Fishing at the beach (bring your own equipment)

- Rock climbing within the time set

- Snorkeling at the beach (the mask and snorkel is free of charge)

The cost according to the package

Includes two nights sea camping, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners and 3 lunches, pick up from either bus terminal, railway station or the airport, pick up from Hat Samran Pier, mask and snorkel, free rock climbing trial, drinking water, tea, coffee, and ovaltine throughout the trip

The additional cost to the package

- Additional stay over and 4 meals for 1,700 THB each (2 people for each tent).

- The sea view tent is 500 THB each.

- Kayaking rent is 200 THB/hour.

- In case if you are travelling not according to what has arranged, please contact to rent the boat.

- For pick up and drop off at Krabi Airport, please contact for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Lao Liang Beach & Koh Lao Liang"

Inbox Facebook www.facebook.com/laoliangbeach

Tel. 081-737-8176 , 082-790-9674

E-Mail. [email protected]