Time to Chill
We didn’t know much about these islands but we had a rough idea where they were and we knew that they were between Ao Nang and Phuket which where we needed to be for our house/pet sit.
They are a group of islands between Krabi and Phuket. There are two main island Koh Yao Yai (large) and Koh Yao Noi (small). We decided on the smaller of the two so it was off on the speed boat to Koh Yao Noi. The trip from Ao Nang took about half an hour and cost us $600THB ($25nz) each. This included pick up from our hotel.
Koh Yao Noi remains a beautiful island, where most people still believe that the island should be preserved from human degradation. It is often described as one of the last island in the region to not be overly developed.
On arrival at the island there are a line of tuk tuk’s waiting to take passengers to their destinations. It is a set price no matter where on the island you are headed. You may be just 5 minutes up the road or around the other side at it will always be 100THB each – no bartering the price down.
Our swamp bungalow
Accommodation
This was certainly the case with our first night’s accommodation. After checking out comments, photo’s and ratings we booked one night at Namtook Bungalows. Let’s just say that you can’t always judge a place on the information you have on the net. We knew there was no A/C but the intense humidity meant that the room was like being in a locked up car in the sun. The location was not ideal either. Set in a swamp, it felt like it was a haven for Zika, Dengue or even Malaria (probably an exaggeration) plus the mosquito net didn’t fit the bed. We were in for a long uncomfortable night. We paid 900THB ($37NZ) for the privilege to stay in the swamp, which didn’t include breakfast and thought that this was a bit steep for what we got.
Anyhow, we survived the night and set about moving to our next accommodation we found which was way more comfortable, across from the beach and included breakfast……score. Koh Yao Beach Bungalows was definitely value for money.
Scooter the Way to Go
The island is about 50km around but there is only approximately 18 km of concrete and dirt roads around it. The most efficient way to get around is to hire a scooter. We paid 200THB and put in 80THB for fuel. The island is mountainous in the centre and has beaches to either side.
We found ourselves down some very remote tracks (not really suitable for scooters I might add) and yes, there were some places where I dismounted and preferred to walk!! However as usual when you venture down the roads less travelled, you find the most amazing things. We did find that isolated Thailand Beach without another human in sight.
Yes they do exist – it just takes some effort to get there.
Just us
Keep it Real
After travelling through Southern Thailand, we have seen how tourism has an impact on towns and cities. Although this is progress for the country and its people there can be a delicate balance between maintaining it’s original charm and character or becoming a drag on infrastructure and becoming too far removed from the real cultural experience.
Every town and city we have visited has it’s own unique character which can thankfully still be found. Sometimes you just have to peel back a few layers to find it but it’s still there.
Koh Yao Noi is still very much how it was a few year’s ago. The main industries on the island are fishing and rubber planting. A little rice farming and some fruit, palm and coconut plantations are evident. Boat building and farming techniques here have been passed from father to son.
We sincerely hope that the island manages to maintain its natural beauty and we certainly didn’t need to peel back any layers to see the real Koh Yao Noi and that’s just the way we like it.
No stress happening here
Enjoy our video, no more words needed.