Rocked by the rhythm of the waves, I felt old memories of diving trips with friends resurface from the depths of my mind.

How long has it been since I last touched the underwater world? How long has it been since my fellow travelers gathered together?

Time has separated us, each with families, responsibilities, and individual paths.

From a large group that could charter an entire boat for our sea trips, only New and I remained, two strangers in our own land.

Huddled in the corner of the boat, we were surrounded by over 30 passengers, all foreigners except for the crew.

The world changes rapidly, with news reaching everyone instantly. It's no wonder that Thailand's beautiful seas attract tourists from all corners of the globe.

But sometimes the world spins too fast, too fast for nature to keep up.

News of the temporary closure of tents on Koh Rok due to insufficient water for tourists was a blow. Our plan to stay overnight on the island was almost scrapped.

After the staff at the resort's tour company on Koh Lanta contacted the park, another problem arose: most tours were day trips. How would we return if we stayed on the island?

We had to negotiate with the tour company to return with another boat the next day, which might incur additional costs.

But the staff told us to find accommodation on the island first!

Earlier, we tried to book through the park's website, but there was no response. We could choose dates, but there was no next page, no confirmation button. It wouldn't say if it was full or closed.

So we decided to take our chances on the island!

The tour company staff probably thought it was too risky, so they suggested contacting the park directly.

We immediately drove from the resort to the southern tip of Koh Lanta, to Laem To Nod, where the Mu Ko Lanta National Park office is located.

Our faint hope was almost extinguished when the officer at the entrance told us the park had just closed ten minutes ago.

We were late by just ten minutes! At that moment, I gave up and told New we could just do a day trip.

The waves crashed into a spray of foam, splitting into three streams from the propellers of the three-engine speedboat accelerating at full speed.

The waves curved through the channel between the two twin islands in the middle of the sea, Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai, which are less than 300 meters apart.

The white sand beaches on either side reflect the sunlight so brightly that it hurts the eyes, contrasting with the clear blue seawater.

It is so breathtaking that visitors almost want to jump in and swim right there.

Dozens of speedboats lined up on the beach of Koh Rok Nok, where the park ranger station is located.

The beach was packed with tourists swimming, sunbathing, relaxing in the shade, and napping in hammocks under the trees.

It was incredibly crowded! Everywhere you looked, there were people, people, and more people!

The line for the restrooms was so long that women had to use the men's room.

No wonder the park closed the campground! Now I understand!

The boats only stopped to drop off tourists who didn't want to dive so they could relax on the beach.

Then they took the remaining members out to see the beauty of the underwater world around the island.

They would then return for lunch here again.

The coral reefs around Koh Rok are mainly massive corals, which may not be as diverse and spectacular as other famous diving spots in Thailand.

These corals are resistant to bleaching, so they are still in relatively good condition. It is easy to find anemones hugging them.

This means that it is also easy to find Nemo or clownfish.

As the afternoon wore on, I and Jaow Mai lay down and played on the beach.

We watched the last speedboat leave the island until it disappeared from sight.

The hustle and bustle of an hour ago has left only tranquility. No more chattering, no more phone calls to disturb.

For here, there is no signal. Now there will be only the sound of the waves, the wind, and the snoring of the new owner!

If I hadn't gotten it, I wouldn't have been able to get this close to nature and experience the atmosphere like a private island. Because when I talked to the park officer at Laem To Non, Chao Mai negotiated so well that he helped me connect directly to the park superintendent. I found out that if there are only two people and you want to stay overnight on the island, you can book a house through the park's website. Two thousand baht per night for a fan room that can sleep 4 people. Take it or leave it!?

The website does offer booking options, but the price point of 2,000 baht for two people is a bit steep.

At this price, you could find a decent resort on Koh Lanta, but the atmosphere on Koh Rok is unmatched by any resort.

The question remains: is it worth the cost?

As the sun began to set and the wind calmed, I invited my new friend to join me for another swim at the beach.

Afterwards, we decided to hike up to the Pha Samet Daeng viewpoint to watch the sunset. The guide on the boat had warned us not to go, claiming the path was steep and difficult.

I understood that he didn't want tourists to go because he was worried they wouldn't make it back in time to board the boat.

However, the park authorities had actually built a well-maintained staircase with concrete blocks, making the climb quite manageable.

After returning, we stopped for dinner at the welfare shop. In the evening, we took flashlights to look at the Sichuan crabs that were walking in procession all over the beach.

After a comfortable night's sleep with the sound of rain, I woke up and walked to the front of the house to capture the sunrise.

Then I went for a walk to explore Ao Man Sai, which is located nearby.

Returning to the private beach for another swim, soaking it all in before the next day's tourists arrive.

I felt an indescribable joy, a joy that couldn't be found from buying a day trip tour like other tourists.

It's incredible how the same place at a different time can feel like a completely different place. If Jaow Mai had given up on me that day,

My memory of Koh Rok would have been superficial, only seeing people walking all over the beach. It's nothing like the picture now!

The image of Koh Rok outside of business hours

The Journey of Little Ify to Koh Rok

The most convenient way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Rok is by plane.

The flight from Don Mueang Airport to Krabi Airport takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

From Krabi Airport, take Highway 4 towards Trang Province.

After approximately 36 kilometers, turn right at the intersection onto Highway 4206, following signs for Koh Lanta.

Continue for another 27 kilometers until the road ends at Ban Hua Hin Pier.

At the pier, board a car ferry to Koh Lanta. The ferry ticket booth is located on the left-hand side before reaching the pier.

The Ferry to Koh Lanta

The ferry ride to Koh Lanta is quick, as the distance is short, like crossing a river. Multiple ferries (3-4) operate, ensuring frequent departures.

Upon arrival at Koh Lanta Noi (the smaller island), follow the main road towards Koh Lanta Yai (the larger island). The distance is approximately 8 kilometers.

Previously, a ferry was required to cross from Koh Lanta Noi to Koh Lanta Yai. However, a bridge now connects the two islands, allowing for direct car access.

Once on Koh Lanta Yai, head to your chosen beach accommodation. The next morning, board a boat to Koh Rok.

To get to Koh Rok, you can book a tour with a tour company, which are mostly located at resorts. These are usually day trips that cost between 1200-1500 baht per person, depending on the package. Some tours also include snorkeling at Koh Haa, which is said to be beautiful, but unfortunately, the tour I booked did not include it.

A speedboat will pick you up from the beach in front of your accommodation at approximately 8:30 AM. The boat will then stop to pick up other tourists from various beaches along the way.

The journey to Koh Rok takes approximately 1 hour. The boat will depart from Koh Rok at approximately 2:00 PM for the return trip.

For more articles by Ifind Noi, please visit http://www.bloggang.com/mainblog.php?id=ifind&month=13-04-2017&group=13&gblog=18