Koh Lanta(getting there)

[Centrals]

Plenty of info on line. I am giving you my first hand experiences.
Only public or shared transport are used. There is absolutely no need to arrange private unless you are in a rush or have too much money than sense.
A lot of tourists at the airport with a large number of russians with young children!!!!!!!!! They have time to invade its neighbouring as well as time for holiday. Crimea is too dangerous this yr.
It took me over 2hrs from the time the plane touched down to the clearing of the immigration. It was far worst than my experience in Bali when visa fees was collected for a period of time.

AIRPORT BUS.
There are two different(company) routes offered by the airport bus. They are all parked at the extreme end of the domestic terminal of Phuket airport. Flat rate of B100.00 for the bright orange bus to Phuket Old Town Bus Terminal 1. The white one goes to most of the beaches that majority of tourists preferred.
Please check the respective web for fine detail.

When the Orange bus arrived at Phuket Old Town Bus Terminal 1, I went to the ticket booth No.1 and bought a ticket for the following morning departure to Koh Lanta 11:00(only one trip a day) for a mere B450.00.
I have booked a room at Nawaporn Place which is about 100m from the bus terminal.
Plenty of local eating places around the town centre but I was too tire to visit the night market. A simple meal of B40.00 per plate so I have two for under US$3.00.

To be continued

 

[chillyinCanada]

Looking forward to more!

 

[Centrals]

Nearly forgot two important things that received quite a lot of attention lately in Indonesian sub forum:
1. Money
2. Tipping

1. Money exchange in Phuket. You certainly do not want to do that at Phuket airport unless you have no choice. In Phuket Old Town I found NC+ gave good rate, at least B2.50 more than at the airport for each US$. ie for $500.00 you will get B1,250.000 more, good enough to pay for 30 simple meals or quite few bottles of Chang. Look it up at internet for direction as it is well within walking distance from Bus T1.
2. B100.00 each for the guide, crew and staff at shop, ie US$10.00 a day is my basic contribution. Guide might receive more if he /she really impressed me.

There are many ways to skin a cat!
I used a slightly different way on the previous trip to Lanta. Airport bus to T1 and then the local transfer to T2 (B10.00). Because I need to try this route for my subsequent trip to Koh Tao from Phuket by using Seatran transfer(T2). Otherwise I could had just got the Hat Yai bus from T1 to Krabi bus terminal without needing to go to T2.
Getting there is half the fun.

 

[Centrals]

The van, departed at 11:10 and pickup/dropoff(passenger/parcel) along the way. Finally arrived at Krabi Bus Terminal around 14:30. Some tourists got off there which really surprised me because they should have caught a proper bus and arrived at Krabi much early and may be cheaper. We have to change to a smaller van as well and I realize there is no way the van could arrive at Lanta at 15:30(as advertise)!!! As I have travelled on this route few times and all took more than 5hrs to cover the journey.
Anyway, on the ferry across to Lanta, the driver told us that we have to pay EXTRA to him so as to be drop off at our destination or get off at the town centre!!!!!! Two persons got off at the centre without paying. Absolutely RIP off but none argued because there was no point. The driver did not know the places very well and have to refer to his mobile for direction!! I paid B50.00. Arrived at my hotel at 16:30
The similar trip I made from Ao Nang was completely different and the driver knew the island very well and there was no hidden charge.
I have similar experience in Komodo Indonesia 30 yrs ago. The transfer from the big ferry to Komodo island was even worst! The smaller transfer boat demand more money on the final approach to our final stop!!!!!!!!!
I would NOT use this operator for my next trip. I will change the money at NC÷ and then travel to Krabi. If the flight schedule would not allow that then I will travel early to Krabi on the following morning and catch the transfer there.

 

[Centrals]

Whale shark at Hin Daeng today.

 

[tridacna]

Diving on a shoestring budget. I suspect that many here spend more on their first breakfast than you do on your entire trip. An interesting approach.

 

[Centrals]

Diving on a shoestring budget. I suspect that many here spend more on their first breakfast than you do on your entire trip. An interesting approach.

My budget for this 1 week trip is B27,000.00 (US$800.00).
Prepaid accommodation is US$150.00.
Flight is US$250.00.
Total is around US$1,200.00.
Not enough to pay for one breakfast!!!!!

 

[Centrals]

Red curry with rice, not too spicy green papaya salad and wash it down with a bottle of Chang all for under B250.00(US$8.00). You then realize why Thailand is top of the list for most tourists visiting SE ASIA regardless deepness of the pocket.

 

[Centrals]

Vis has been terrible for the last 3 days. Dive guide blamed the new moon.
Leaving for Phuket on Sat.
Bought a van tranfer to Krabi Bus terminal for B400.00, pick up at the resort.
There are frequent bus connection(Krabi) to Phuket Bus Terminal 2 and a few to T1.

There is a tip box on both dive boats that I have used. The contribution is entirely for the Thai crew. Just remember they have to serve breakfast, snack, lunch, fill you tank, help you climb the last few step on the ladder and tidy up etc etc.
This only leave me with the guide to worry about.

 

[Centrals]

Two boat dives a day for 4 days + surcharge for one special trip to the Hins is just over B15,400.00.