Readme before you journey
Why do people want to go to the 'sea' when it's hot?
There must be many reasons why people like to go to the sea.
Since the hot wind has not yet subsided, we would like to take you to the sea together ..
Koh Mak - Koh Kham, Trat Province
Location: 11.822702 , 102.4781873
Koh Mak is the third largest island in Thailand, after Koh Chang and Koh Kood. It is located between Koh Chang and Koh Kood and has a four-pointed star shape. The natural environment is still very intact. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has selected Koh Mak as a model area for environmentally friendly tourism under the Low Carbon Destination project, with the aim of becoming a Green Island at the international level. .. Enjoy your trip with peace of mind and be environmentally friendly ^^
:: Day 0 ::
What to prepare before the trip?
1. Pack your bags
Besides packing clothes in your bag, the essentials are sunglasses and sunscreen. Add a cool hat, and if you have any medical conditions, don't forget to bring your medication. Most importantly, your camera and cash are indispensable! ^^
2. Check the weather
Before every trip, we should check the weather conditions first. Because the month we are going to is the rainy season. Even though the weather is hot, we should not be complacent. The weather in Thailand is unpredictable. If the monsoon comes, the waves in the sea may be strong. Checking the weather roughly doesn't hurt. At least we can prepare ourselves.
3. Book accommodation
Personally, I prefer to walk in and find accommodation myself. However, since the date of our trip coincided with a long weekend, we had to be safe to avoid not having a place to sleep. And we were visiting Koh Mak for the first time. After browsing through booking.com and Agoda, we found a resort that we liked. The price was reasonable, the accommodation was by the sea, located on the east side of the island with a view of the sunrise from the room, and most importantly, it was close to the pier where we would be arriving. So we decided to book a room at Ao Pong Resort, a Delux Sea View room, which was the only one left. We had to book it quickly!
4. Book a car-Book a boat
We chose to book a car and boat with Boonsiri, which can be booked online 24 hours a day at this website: http://ferryadvice.com. The website shows all boat schedules, and we can check prices and book directly. It's convenient, fast, and efficient.
Once we have completed your booking, the company will send you a booking reference number and an invoice summarizing the tour you have booked so that you can check the details before making a payment.
After we transfer the money, the company will check the transfer status within 72 hours. Then the company will send us a voucher via email. We must print it to exchange for a boat ticket on the day of our travel. If it is really impossible to print it, we can use a smartphone to display it instead.
Traveling to Boonsiri Office (Laem Sok Pier, Trat) by private car
To travel from Bangkok to Trat, take the Motorway route Bangkok-Chonburi, using the Ban Bueng route to enter Rayong province via Highway 344 Ban Bueng-Klaeng. When you reach the traffic light intersection in Klaeng district, turn left onto Highway 3, Sukhumvit Road, and head straight to Chanthaburi province. Continue driving to Trat province. After entering Trat city, you will pass a SHELL gas station and a PTT gas station. At the traffic light intersection, turn left and drive for about 20 km. After a while, you will see the Boonsiri office with its logo and symbol clearly visible on the left-hand side.
contact
Hotline: +66(0)97-247-3228 and +66(0)88-960-1507
Facebook: ferryadvice
Line : @ferryadvice
E-mail : [email protected]
Preparation before boarding a boat to Koh Mak
Food and drinks: It is recommended to eat in moderation, as there are restrooms on board, but they may not be comfortable.
Seasickness medication: If you are prone to seasickness, it is recommended that you ask the staff at the Lobby if there is any seasickness medication available.
No ATM: There are no ATMs on the island. It is recommended to withdraw enough cash before your trip, as there are no ATMs available on the island.
More about travel
There are many ways to get to Koh Mak. We will present other travel methods as a guide for friends to choose from. ..
Private cars can use Google Maps for navigation by typing the name of the port you want to go to, such as 'Laem Ngop Pier' or 'Laem Sok Pier'. If you are traveling from Bangkok, there are 3 routes you can take:
- Take Highway 3 (Sukhumvit) through Samut Prakan Province, Chonburi Province, Si Racha District, Pattaya, Sattahip District, Rayong Province, Chanthaburi Province, to Trat Province. Then continue to the port.
- Take Highway 34 (Bang Na-Bang Pakong) and Highway 3 (Sukhumvit) to Chonburi Province. Then turn onto Highway 344 (Chonburi-Klaeng) at kilometer 98, passing Ban Bueng District until you reach Klaeng District. Then turn left onto Highway 3 and continue to Chanthaburi Province. Enter Trat Province and continue to the port.
- Take Highway 7 (Bangkok-Chonburi or Motorway) to Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi Province. Then turn left onto Highway 344 (Chonburi-Klaeng), passing Ban Bueng District until reaching Klaeng District. Then turn left onto Highway 3 to Chanthaburi Province. Enter Trat Province and continue to the port.
**Koh Mak does not allow cars on the island, but there is a car storage service available for 50 baht per night.**
Public buses can be boarded at both Ekamai Bus Terminal and Mo Chit Bus Terminal. The journey takes approximately 4.5 hours.
Transport Co., Ltd. (BKS) Tel. 02-872-1777 or Hotline 1490 can book tickets on the website http://www.busticket.in.th Check the trip you will travel again on the day we will travel ..
1. Mo Chit 2 - Trat Bus Terminal
2. Mochit 2 - Laem Ngop Pier (No service on the travel date)
3. Ekkamai - Trat Bus Terminal
4. Ekkamai - Laem Ngop Pier
Chokonukoon Company
Bangkok (Ekkamai) - Trat departs at 2:00 PM and 11:30 PM.
Trat - Bangkok (Ekkamai) Bus departs at 06.30 am and 23.30 pm.
Cherchai Tour Company can be booked through thaiticketmajor.
Bangkok (Ekkamai) - Trat Buses depart from 06.00-23.00 hrs. Tel. 0-2931-2237 , 0-2391-2804
Trat - Bangkok (Ekkamai) Buses depart from 07:00 to 23:30.
Shubharat Tour Company
Bangkok (Ekkamai) - Trat: Buses depart from 08:30 to 22:30.
Bangkok (Mo Chit) - Trat Buses depart from 06:00 to 23:00.
Trat - Bangkok (Ekkamai) Buses depart from 08.30-23.00 hrs.
Trat - Bangkok (Mo Chit) Buses depart from 08:30 to 23:00.
Airplane
There is only one airline that offers flights between Bangkok and Trat, which is Bangkok Airways (the airport is located in Khao Saming District). You can check flight schedules and promotions at http://www.bangkokair.com/tha/pages/view/flight-schedule. The flight time is approximately 60 minutes. For more information, please call 02-270-6699.
Ferry to Koh Mak
There are two ferry piers to Koh Mak: Laem Sok Pier and Laem Ngop Pier. Choose the pier that best suits your schedule and the ferry company you choose to travel with.
Laem Sok
- Boonsiri Company's boat, details read from above, okay?
- Suan Suk boat trip takes 30 minutes and costs only 350 baht.
Koh Mak (Ao Nid Pier) - Laem Sok, Round 08.30 AM
Laem Sok - Koh Mak (Ao Nid Pier) Round 11.00 am
Tel. 061-428-8048
Laem Ngop
The speedboat can accommodate approximately 30-40 passengers. The ticket price is 450 baht per trip. The travel time from Laem Ngop to Koh Mak is approximately 30-50 minutes. (It is recommended to book in advance for both the outbound and return trips.)
From Laem Ngop to Koh Mak
- The Panan boat has 2 rounds at 12.30 pm and 4.00 pm. Park at Koh Mak Resort Pier. Tel. 087-614-7641
- The Leelawadee boat has 2 rounds at 10.30 am and 2.00 pm, parking at Makathanee Resort Pier. Tel. 081-899-3009
- Suan Suk Boat has 2 rounds at 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM. Park at Ao Nid Pier. Tel. 061-428-8048
Return trip Koh Mak - Laem Ngop
- Pa Ngan Boat, Ko Mak Resort Pier has 2 rounds at 09.00 am and 13.30 pm. Tel. 087-614-7641
- Leelawadee boat, Makathanee Resort pier, has 2 rounds at 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM. Tel. 095-707-7036
- Suan Suk Boat, Ao Nid Pier, has 2 rounds, 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Tel. 061-428-8048
**The boat schedule will be adjusted according to the tourist season. Please check the boat schedule again.**
Recommendations
1. Guests who have booked accommodation can inform the accommodation about the boat they are travelling on and the time of arrival. The accommodation will then arrange for a car to pick them up at the pier.
2. Buses and boats should be booked in advance for both outbound and return trips to avoid missing the bus or boat. During the tourist season, boats may be full if not booked in advance.
3. Transportation on the island is by TAXI, which looks like a two-row car. The fare is negotiated, but there is a standard price list available.
Thank you for the information from ilovekohmak, Cinnamon Art Resort and Spa, Boonsiri Ferry and Trattown ..
R U READY? Are you ready to travel with us? If you are ready, let's go together ~
:: Day 1
May 5, 2016
The first day of the trip
We started our journey at 6 am. Our first destination was Boonsiri Speedboat Co., Ltd., located on Khao San Road. We chose to go by taxi. This was the first time we chose to pick up a car at a place other than Victory Monument, and it was also the first time we chose to travel by booking a car and then a boat. It was very convenient. We didn't have to find a car or a boat ourselves, which saved us time. Plus, the price was even better than finding a car and a boat ourselves. It's worth it, so why wait? (I told you how to book it in the previous day's post above) We've been to Koh Chang many times before, but Koh Mak is still very new to us. Let's open up some new experiences so we can review them for our friends to read.
Boonsiri Company Map (Bangkok)
Boonsiri Company is located on Khao San Road. The landmark is Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, but you have to walk across the street a bit. Or, if you're afraid of getting lost, you can add the company's Line (@ferryadvice) so they can share their location with you. This will make it easier for you to get there in the morning and avoid getting lost. There are 2 rounds of cars going to Koh Mak: 5:30 AM and 8:00 AM. If you choose the first round, you should take a good look at the company's location because it's quite dark and you might not be able to find it. Even though we chose the eight o'clock round, it was already light and we still walked around 2-3 times. The ticket pick-up point is shared with The Street Hostel. Or, you can look for a place with a lot of vans parked and a 7-Eleven on the opposite side. ..
Upon arriving at the company, we checked in and were given round-trip ferry tickets with the departure and arrival times clearly indicated. It's important to keep these tickets safe as they will be needed for both the ferry and the van ride back. Aside from ferries to Koh Mak, this company also offers services to Koh Kood and Koh Chang. Walk-ins are welcome, but during peak seasons, it's advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment. After checking in, we stored our luggage in the van and grabbed a bite to eat, as the journey ahead would take some time. The van was a VIP model with 10 spacious and comfortable seats. We were very impressed with the service provided by Boonsiri.
When it was time to leave Bangkok, our van left at 8 am with a slight delay. Today is a long holiday weekend, so the traffic on the Motorway in Chonburi is quite heavy, which made our journey a bit longer. But that's okay, we were prepared for it. We slept on the van and waited. We will arrive soon. The van will stop for a 10-minute break at a PTT gas station in Rayong province for a bathroom break and to buy supplies. It is recommended to stock up on snacks to eat on the van, otherwise your stomach will growl all the way. We arrived at the Boonsiri office in Laem Sok around 2:20 pm. Please bring both your outbound and return tickets to check in at the Boonsiri Laem Sok office counter.
The staff will ask for your name, the number of people in your group, and the resort where you are staying. They will then give you a sticker to attach to your luggage and tag it like this.
After that, we waited for the tram to pick us up and take us to the pier. While we were waiting, we could grab a bite to eat in the lobby. There was food for sale there. When the tram arrived, those who had a lot of luggage could attach a tag to their bags and take them to the back of the company's truck. No need to carry them around. Then you could choose your seat and in no time, you would arrive at Laem Sok Pier. I was so excited to finally be going to Koh Mak! There's always something new and exciting to discover in new places. \^0^/
Here it is! The ferry that we will be taking to Koh Mak. Doesn't it look good? (When we went to sit down, the captain played the Titanic theme song, My Heart Will Go On, for us. Hmm, it really sets the mood!) Hahaha
Before boarding the boat, the staff of Boonsiri will check our tickets again. It's quite chaotic now, people will rush to get on board. Be careful with your valuables and, most importantly, be careful not to fall into the water.
Once you board the boat, you can choose your seat. There are 2 floors, so choose whichever one you prefer. I apologize that I didn't take any pictures of the inside of the boat. It's an air-conditioned room with 200 seats, music playing, movies showing, and even snacks for sale on board. I was so excited! Our boat departed at 3 PM, a little later than the time on the ticket. The journey to Koh Mak takes about 1 hour. The boat will drop us off at Koh Mak first before continuing to Koh Kood. Oh! While on the boat, you must wear a life jacket at all times. It's the company's policy.
Finally, we arrived at Koh Mak, our destination for this trip. It's almost half a day's journey, and it's 4 pm now. I'm starving... This is Ao Nid Pier. When you get off the boat, there will be cars available to take you to your resort. Some resorts also offer pick-up services, depending on where you're staying... As for us, no one came to pick us up because our accommodation is the closest to Ao Nid Pier. The resort owner told us it's about a 10-minute walk. Okay, let's walk! Our first destination is Ao Phrao Resort.
This is the entrance to our resort. There's also a steakhouse here, but we didn't get a chance to try it.
Okay! The story has reached its peak for today... When we arrived at Ao Phang Nga Resort, we were ready to check in, put our belongings in our room, rent a motorbike, find something to eat, and then watch the sunset at Saphan Su Fang. This was the goal we had set for ourselves... And then the problem arose when the person who took the reservation for the room we had chosen had double-booked it. They had transferred money on the same day as us, for the same price as us. The only difference was that we had booked directly with the owner, who had promised us the room, while the other person had booked through Agoda. Fortunately, we brought all the evidence with us, including the email, the money transfer slip (which showed the date and time of the transfer), and the Line chat with the owner. We dug up everything we had to show that we were the ones who booked first and transferred the money first. We had every right to the room, but the owner seemed reluctant to give it to us, saying that the other person who had booked had traveled from Tak Province, which was further away than us. We were a little angry and hungry, thinking that we had arrived first and booked the room first, so why wasn't the room ours? We were secretly annoyed... The resort owner then called the other person to ask how far they had come. Luckily for us, the answer came back that they had missed the last boat. So the room we had booked became ours, and we received an apology from the resort owner. I don't want to think about what would have happened if that person hadn't missed the boat. (The feeling that was lost can't be brought back. I already have a negative view of this resort)... Let's move on. You've heard enough of my complaints... The accommodation we booked was a Deluxe room with a sea view, priced at 1,500 baht per night (the price depends on the tourist season). Breakfast was not included... This is what our house looks like. It still looks new because it was just completed not long ago.
Overall, the room was quite clean and usable. I liked that the room had a lot of plugs, so we could all charge our devices without having to fight over them. ^^
The bathroom is clearly divided (but there is a faint smell of urine and the shower water is rather weak, making showering not enjoyable).
On the beach in front of the house, there are hammocks tied to coconut trees and canvas beds for us to lie down and enjoy the sea view.
This is the lobby area of the resort. You can order food, sit and relax, or lie down in this area.
At Ao Phrao Resort, there are other types of accommodation available at a lower price than the one we stayed in. Some rooms are fan-cooled.
After we put our belongings in the bathroom, let's not waste any more time. Let's start our island tour today. Let's go find something to eat. We arranged to rent a motorcycle with the same resort owner. The motorcycle rental price is 250.-/24 hours. We booked for two days, 500 baht, a loss of half a day because we had to travel back before the time we had to return the car. On the island, there is fuel to fill up starting at 40 baht per liter. But when we received the car, we had a lot of fuel left, so we didn't have to fill it up. Don't forget to remember our car registration number. No need to deposit a card, pay for the car and that's it! After getting the car, don't forget to ask for a map in case you get lost, hehe.. Let's go to the first place, Koh Mak Temple..
Koh Mak Temple is the only temple on the island. It was built in 1947 and serves as a place for Buddhist ceremonies. It is the spiritual center of the Koh Mak community, encouraging them to adhere to a simple and virtuous way of life. Within the temple grounds, one can experience tranquility under the shade of ancient banyan trees that spread their branches, providing a cool and refreshing atmosphere. The temple can be likened to a sanctuary that embraces the community, bringing peace and happiness through the blessings of Buddhism. It helps cultivate the seeds of goodness in the land and nurtures them in the hearts of all Koh Mak residents, fostering beautiful minds and creating a pleasant society as it is today. (Source: ilovekohmak)
After that, we planned to drive to Koh Mak Resort to book tickets for the next day's trip to Koh Kham. However, we suddenly remembered that the resort owner had recommended booking a table at Koh Mak Seafood if we wanted to eat there, as the tables tend to be full in the evening. So we went back to book a table at Koh Mak Seafood. Luckily, there was only one table left, which was outside near the sea. We booked it right away, of course. When it comes to enjoying delicious food, we also need to soak up the atmosphere to make it even better.
Before booking a boat ticket to Koh Kham, we stopped by the Koh Mak Museum, which is in the same place as the Koh Mak Seafood restaurant.
The Koh Mak Museum is a museum that displays information about the way of life of the people of Koh Mak and the local customs, which have unique characteristics, as well as archaeological history and handicrafts, which are cultural heritages that demonstrate the wisdom of the people who live on Koh Mak. It will take us back to the past once again. The original community on Koh Mak was mostly Khmer of Thai descent who immigrated to settle there when the city of Prachantakhiri Khet, or Koh Kong, belonged to France in 1904. Luang Phrom Phakdi, the head of the Tawethikul family, was in charge of the Chinese people on Koh Kong.
It's time to move on to Koh Mak Resort. When we arrived at Koh Mak Resort, we went to the Information point and were told that we could buy tickets for tomorrow, no need to book in advance. Oops~ We came for nothing.. So we drove back to the restaurant again, considering it as exploring the route. Let's have our first meal of the day at... Koh Mak Seafood..
Koh Mak Seafood is a Thai restaurant located near the Ao Nid Pier. It's easy to spot. If you're driving from the Ao Nid Pier, once you reach the top of the hill, you'll see the restaurant's sign on your right. Drive about 100 meters and you'll be there. The atmosphere is that of a peaceful and quiet seaside village. On a clear day, you can see Cambodia and Koh Kood. The restaurant's menu focuses on Thai food with authentic Thai flavors. They also have a "reduce global warming" menu to support the "reduce global warming" tourism project. The vegetables used in the dishes are grown in the restaurant's own greenhouse. Koh Mak Seafood has over 100 dishes to choose from, with 15 recommended dishes, such as Koh Mak Hot Pot, Stir-fried Shark, Steamed Egg with Seafood, Deep-fried Sea Bass with Green Curry Sauce, and Deep-fried Sea Bass with Lemongrass Salad. Food prices start from 60 to 390 baht. The restaurant is open daily from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM. There is a free shuttle service back to your accommodation. The last trip is at 10:30 PM. You can call to reserve a table and order food in advance at Khun Ruang 08-9833 4474, 08-9752 5684. Since we missed the sunset, we decided to order 3 dishes for our first meal of the day and enjoy a leisurely dinner here.
Menu 1: Garlic and black pepper fried pork, 200 baht
Menu 2: Shrimp in fish sauce, 200 baht
Menu 3: Tom Yum Seafood in Rich Coconut Milk (Small) Price 150 Baht
After a satisfying first meal of the day, the total cost for this meal was 600 baht. Going with several people helped to split the cost, making it quite reasonable. Afterwards, we drove back to our accommodation. At night, Koh Mak is quite peaceful, with only the sound of waves lapping against the sandy shore. At night, the electricity comes from solar power that was collected during the day. This is truly an ECO island. It's time to go to bed so we can wake up early tomorrow and welcome a new day. See you tomorrow morning, Zzz~
:: Day 2
May 6, 2016
The second day of the trip
Have you ever heard that waking up early is a profit in life? After we ate and slept well, we woke up early before dawn to wait for the first light on Koh Mak. We intentionally booked accommodation here because we could see the sunrise from our bedroom. How could we miss it? Oops! I watched too many period dramas. The old-fashioned idioms came out, haha! Like this picture, we took it from the sliding door on the balcony. We can see the sunrise clearly. ~
Another thing that is indispensable is capturing the sunrise. In addition to the still images we took, setting up a video would have taken up too much space on the memory card. So we tried the Time-Lapse mode on the iPad to see if the resulting image would be a time-lapse shot of the sunrise as we intended. As for the camera, we decided to keep it for still images.
You can check the sunrise time on weather websites to catch the sunrise. For example, when we took this photo at 5:48 AM, the sun had already risen. The sunrise is very early these days.
After waking up to the sunrise, I couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up and took a shower to walk along the beach. In the morning, the water recedes, revealing many small creatures such as shells and crabs.
This beach is full of coral debris, which has its own charm.
Most of the beaches here are rocky, with a lot of stones. Be careful when swimming.
For breakfast today, we are having a meal at the resort's restaurant. The Ao Phang Kitchen will be closed from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. It is currently 9:30 AM, so we still have time. Today's program is to cross the island to Koh Kham. After returning from Koh Kham, we will use the island tour to visit the island's landmarks. Before we go, we need to recharge our batteries. This morning's menu, which we ordered, has a total of 3 items for a price of 350 baht. They are:
Menu 1 Stir-fried noodles with pork and soy sauce
Menu 2: Stir-fried minced pork with basil
Menu 3: Deep-fried shrimp
Ready! Turn the key to start the car, heading to Koh Mak Resort. We will be in time for the first boat at 10.30 am, so we have to spare some time. And now it looks bad, the rain is dark and cloudy. But we are determined to go, it probably won't rain all day ~ Along the way, we noticed that most of the people on the island are farmers who grow rubber trees and coconut trees. Koh Mak is known as an important coconut growing area in Trat province. The name Koh Mak probably comes from "Mak Phrao" or "Coconut". ..
We arrived at Koh Mak Resort. From the resort, it takes about 10 minutes to travel. Now it's 10 o'clock sharp. We rushed to buy tickets to cross to Koh Kham. The ticket price is 200 baht per person (including island maintenance fee). It's a smaller boat than a speedboat. But as soon as we bought the tickets, it started to drizzle. After a while, it started to rain heavily. So the officers took us on a boat to cross to Koh Kham before time. Using 2 speedboats to take us there. It takes less than 5 minutes to reach Koh Kham. ..
To get to Koh Kham, you can contact Koh Mak Resort or Coco Cape Resort, as these two resorts are the closest to the island. Some tourists also rent kayaks to reach Koh Kham. Koh Mak Resort offers three boat trips: 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:00 PM for the outward journey, and 1:45 PM, 3:15 PM, and 4:30 PM for the return journey.
As soon as the boat docked, we had to rush to take shelter from the rain at the construction site. Haha! We didn't take any pictures during this time because the rain was quite heavy. We had to protect the camera from getting wet, so we'll skip this part. We took shelter from the rain for quite a while before the sun came out for us. Let's get to know Koh Kham a little better here. If anyone has read one of our previous posts about our trip to Koh Kham in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, we mentioned that there are two Koh Khams in Thailand: Sattahip and Trat. We also said that one day we would visit the other Koh Kham, which is where we are today. We have successfully fulfilled our wish.
Koh Kham is a private island located near Koh Mak. The highlight of this island is its pristine nature, soft white sand beaches, and volcanic rock formations, earning it the nickname 'Emerald Pearl of the Trat Sea'.
The reason for this nickname is probably because the color of the sea water is as clear as emerald, so clear that you can see the sea urchins under the water. If anyone goes swimming, be careful of their spines. Otherwise, you won't enjoy your trip because it will hurt. You can get first aid at the central point or tell the boat staff or captain, which would be the best. But it's better not to get stung, right? ..
Our initial statement that Koh Kham is a private island was based on information received from the captain of the Coco Cape Resort boat. However, we have since learned that the island is actually part of a national park, with the government and private companies jointly holding the concession. The resort that is currently under construction has encroached too far into the park's boundaries, and construction has been suspended as a result. We apologize for any misinformation provided earlier.
The island has restrooms and fresh water showers available. Don't worry, it's free of charge.
Another zone of the island has a sandbar extending into the sea. It looks like a separated sea. If there are no boats anchored there, hehe... The sand here is soft and white like coffee mate. I overheard that the white sand on this beach is because the sand was filled over the original sand. I don't know how true it is, but that's the highlight of this place. For those who want to snorkel at the central point, there is equipment for rent at 50 baht per set.
Another highlight of this island is the group of volcanic rocks piled up amidst the white sand beach. Seriously, there are so many great photo spots on this island. Anyone who loves photography will not be disappointed. I secretly love this island. >"<
Alright! Our journey has come to the end of this island. It's time to say goodbye to this island. Now it's 13.20 pm. The captain will announce "Koh Mak Resort, get on the boat". Let's go back this time so we have time to visit Koh Mak. We are lucky again to get back on the same speedboat as we came. The captain said that today he just came to help. When we arrived at Koh Mak, we were going to visit the island, but we had to give in to the sun here. It was so hot that we almost got burned. So we decided to go back to the resort to avoid the sun first. Around 4 pm, we will go out to visit the island. A small island can probably visit all the main points, right? The next rough plan is to walk around the Coco Cape Crepe Resort bridge, watch the sunset at the Dream Bridge, and end with dinner at Koh Mak Seafood (we didn't forget to book a table in advance, hehe). Finally, all the resorts here are quite open. Even if you don't stay at the resort, you can walk around. After resting and letting our bodies recover from the hot weather, we took a shower and felt refreshed. Now it's time to go out again. The sun is setting a lot. Ready to go! Our next destination is to visit the bridge, which is one of the signatures of Koh Mak (many people might say, hey, how many bridges are there? I would like to answer that there are many bridges. Each bridge has a different uniqueness). This bridge is located at Coco Cape Resort, located in Ao Suan Yai Bay. Many people might think of this accommodation as the first place to stay if they come to visit Koh Mak. What's good here, let's see.
I caught a glimpse of a warning sign about falling coconuts .. o_O
This is the resort's Club House, open from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Food can be ordered until 8:30 PM. It can be said that this place is like a central point that is both a restaurant, a beverage shop, and an ice cream shop. It is also an information point for tourists. Come here, one place has it all! Tickets to Koh Kham are also sold here, but the price is 250 baht.
It's better to take a walk on the bridge. There are warning signs to be careful because there are no railings on both sides of the walkway.
At the end of the bridge, there is a bar called Blue Pearl. It's a bar that serves drinks and has a great atmosphere for listening to chill music, sipping drinks, and enjoying the view. In a word, it's amazing!
The bar also offers diving equipment such as life jackets and snorkels for rent. If you'd like to go fishing, there are fishing rods available for rent as well. You can sit and fish right on the bridge. (In the early evening, people like to come and fish for squid, which they then grill and eat right there. There's a grill available, too. Hehe) You can inquire about the rental prices at the bar.
The Pacific swift is a resident bird on Koh Mak and can be found all over the island.
On the way back, we saw some unknown flowers falling down. We picked them up and they were so beautiful. Anyone knows what kind of flower it is?
We did great with the time. It's almost half past five now. We should hurry and go see the sunset as we planned from the beginning. Our next stop will be the Bridge to Dreams.
"Bridge to Dreams" - the name alone makes you want to visit. This bridge is the longest on Koh Mak, stretching out into the sea. To get here, you need to travel to Cinnamon Art Resort & Spa. Anyone visiting Koh Mak must come here, or you haven't truly arrived, I'm telling you.
Koh Mak also offers bicycle rentals, allowing you to explore the island's natural beauty at your own pace. This aligns perfectly with the island's concept as a Low Carbon Destination. The map even includes designated bicycle paths for your convenience.
This is the wreck of a sunken ship. In the early morning, the water level drops, and we can walk to take pictures of the wreck up close. But we went in the evening, so we only saw the wreck that was above the water.
The trees here are also unique. Besides the bridge and the boat, the trees here are like models standing and posing for tourists to take pictures as souvenirs.
It is currently 5:30 PM. We are waiting to capture the sunset at the end of the bridge, but... the sky is not cooperating with us. It's been dark and cloudy for a while now... We're hoping we'll make it in time to see the sunset before it starts raining.
But in the end, the dark clouds moved in very quickly, slowly engulfing the setting sun. Sadness, the sunset picture that I had planned since the first day was gone. I had to run away from the wind and rain that made me almost fall off the bridge. It couldn't have come any later, rain, rain.
~ Like the sky is distorted and erratic, suddenly ~ Legendary song hahahahaha It's in the atmosphere, isn't it? Hehe.. The clouds we saw were so scary, my heart was pounding.
Let's cut to the chase and head straight to Koh Mak Seafood Restaurant. Earlier, we were caught in a downpour and had to shield our cameras with our lives. Thankfully, we're safe now. It's a good thing we reserved a table beforehand, but even with the reservation, it didn't matter. It was raining at every table reserved outside, so everyone had to move inside. This evening, every table was fully booked. Those who braved the rain but didn't have a reservation were out of luck. The bill was as long as a kite's tail, but the food that was served came out relatively quickly. However, I suspect that due to the large number of customers and the sudden downpour, the restaurant was quite chaotic. The chefs must have been in a hurry, as the taste of the food today wasn't quite to our liking. But we understand the situation, so we can forgive them. For dinner tonight, we ordered four dishes. We ate leisurely while waiting for the rain to stop, and then we headed back to our accommodation. The total cost of the meal was 795 baht (a bit pricey, but we eat at this restaurant every day because it's close to the resort).
Menu 1: Spicy papaya salad with blue crab, 150 baht
Menu 2: Deep-fried shrimp, 200 baht
Menu 3: Sour curry with acacia pennata and shrimp, 200 baht
Menu 4: Garlic and pepper fried pork, 200 baht
That's it for our journey on Day 2. Tomorrow will be our last day on this island before we have to leave. We may not have been able to visit every beach and resort, there are still many other places with beautiful spots, but we didn't have enough time, so we chose the places we wanted to visit the most so we wouldn't regret it later. For today, I'm going to say goodbye and go watch the stars from my balcony. See you tomorrow. Good night.
:: Day 3
May 7, 2016
The last day of the trip
And then the last day arrived. Today, our program has nothing but checking out of the accommodation and finding something to eat before heading back to the civilized capital. Today, we set the alarm clock at the same time as yesterday to set up the camera to take a picture of the sunrise, but why not? The sky is not cooperating at all. This morning, there are a lot of clouds, making it impossible to see the sun because it is obscured by clouds. But the time when the sun shines on the surface of the water is so beautiful.
After failing to capture the perfect still image, we returned to our accommodation for a power nap. We woke up at 9 am and rushed to shower, get dressed, pack our bags, and prepare to check out and return to Bangkok. Suddenly, a loud 'crash' echoed through the room. We had accidentally broken a glass. It was an honest mistake! The resort we were staying at had an earlier check-out time than most others, 10 am to be exact. It was quite early, but our boat wasn't scheduled to pick us up until 12:50 pm. Where were we supposed to spend the remaining time? Oh, and I forgot to mention that the resort owner charged us 50 baht for the broken glass. They even had a sign posted stating a 500 baht late check-out fee. We had never encountered such exorbitant charges at any other accommodation. After settling the room issue, we hopped on our motorbike and headed to our usual breakfast spot, Koh Mak Seafood. Wait a minute, the restaurant opens at 10:30 am, and it's only 10:00 am now. Let's just help them open the shop. Shameless, I know, haha. We walked into the restaurant and said, 'May we wait here until you open?' We've been coming here so often that the staff already recognizes us, haha. The restaurant was kind enough to let us order food right away. The menu we ordered today was absolutely amazing. Let me tell you about it...
Menu 1: Tofu and minced pork soup with seaweed, 150 baht
Menu 2 Crab fried rice (small) Price 80 baht
Menu 3: Assorted Seafood Glass Noodle Salad, 150 Baht
Menu 4: Fried banana with coconut ice cream, 150 baht
This morning's meal, we would describe it as 'the taste we've been craving throughout this trip'. It might sound exaggerated, but this breakfast was more delicious than any other meal we've had. Or maybe because we were the first customers of the day, the chef wasn't in a hurry to cook, so the food tasted delicious... At least there was something good that happened on this trip. ^^ .. The damage for this meal was 565 baht. The taste we received was worth the price. We give it a full ten out of ten for this meal... After that, we returned the motorbike to the resort with a little bit of gas left (we didn't fill it up, let's just call it even with the broken glass, hehe).
There is a cake shop near our accommodation called Sweet Cake. But the shop was closed when we went there. The sign said it was closed from May 2nd to 10th. We couldn't eat it as planned. Bummer ~
This is Ao Nid Pier, the pier where we arrived and the pier we will use to return today at 12.50 pm. We still have plenty of time left, so we don't know where to go. So we went back to sit and lie down waiting for the boat to pick us up at the lobby of the resort where we stayed. When it was almost time, we took our return tickets to the pier for the company's staff to check in and count the number of passengers. Then they gave us a Bangkok sticker to stick on.
At approximately 1:10 PM, the boat picked us up at Ao Nid Pier. On the way to the island, the boat route was Laem Sok Pier - Koh Mak - Koh Kood. On the way back, the boat route was Koh Kood - Koh Mak - Laem Sok Pier. It took about 1 hour to reach Laem Sok Pier.
During the ferry crossing, Boonsiri's staff will line us up in an orderly fashion on one side. Then, they will allow the passengers who are disembarking at Koh Mak to get off the boat first. Afterwards, they will allow us, who are returning to Laem Sok Pier, to board the boat. Throughout the disembarkation process, they took excellent care of us. ^^
Due to the large number of passengers returning on our return date, which coincided with a long holiday, there were not enough seats on the boat. In simpler terms, we couldn't sit in the cool air-conditioned room, so we had to go up to the second floor at the back of the boat and watch the waves and feel the hot wind on our faces. Haha... Don't forget to wear a life jacket every time you are on the boat. They are quite strict and prioritize the safety of their customers. While we were on the boat, we saw Cambodian flags placed at intervals in the sea. This probably means that it is Cambodian territorial waters. We are just guessing, so we are waiting for someone who knows to clarify.
After enduring the heat for a while, we finally arrived at Laem Sok Pier. We quickly hopped on the tram, which would take us back to the company's lobby to catch a bus to Bangkok. Upon arrival, we rushed to the bathroom to freshen up and stocked up on food for the long journey ahead. The company offered a la carte meals, but we had to consider the bus departure time. Not wanting to risk missing the bus, we opted for a simple cup of instant noodles and bought some water for the ride. At the lobby, instant noodles were sold for 25 baht, while bottled water cost 15 baht (cheaper than on Koh Kham, right?). 5555. Due to the high number of passengers returning to Bangkok that day, the company had switched from a van to a double-decker bus. The bus would make two stops: Lat Krabang and Khao San Road. We handed our return tickets to the bus staff and chose our seats freely.
It's time to sleep for a long time. According to our schedule, we will arrive in Bangkok around 8:00 PM. But it looks like we will be late today. Let's see what time we will arrive. When the car moves to Chanthaburi Province, whether by van or bus like us, the company will stop by for us to choose souvenirs for 20 minutes at the souvenir shop. Ah ha..
Those who need to use the restroom can stop by here. There are restrooms available for use.
For souvenirs, you can choose whatever you want. The highlights here are mangosteen, durian, grilled pork, pepper, durian jam, fried durian, etc. We bought a big bag of souvenirs, just grab them, haha.
After finishing shopping for souvenirs, we headed to Rayong Province. The company stopped at a PTT gas station one more time before heading to Bangkok without stopping anywhere else except the final destination. During the journey, as the sun was setting, the sky was at its most magical. We took a picture of the sky because the colors were so beautiful. ^^
After a 7-hour journey, we arrived at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara at 9:30 PM, an hour and a half later than scheduled. We had to rely on a taxi again to get to our sweltering, I mean, cozy accommodation. If you're looking for peace and quiet and want to be close to nature, Koh Mak is a great option. Consider visiting this place. The trip ended safely. Thank you to everyone who read this far ^^
P.S. Thank you to SONY A6000 for giving us beautiful pictures throughout this trip.
(All photos are unedited. I wanted the photos to be as real as possible, according to the camera's quality.)
Thank you to everyone who followed. If there are any mistakes, I apologize.
The total cost for the 3-day, 2-night trip was 4,920 baht per person (a bit expensive for food).
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In My Eye
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