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TonyT's 7th Thailand blog:
A month in and around the country:
March - April 2024.
Page 6
KOH KOOD (aka Ko Kut)
TUESDAY 2nd.
On arrival at Ko Kood was a case of ‘here we go again’… the same total chaos as embarkation as people tried to retain their luggage. This sort of thing really does bring out the worst in people.
I played a canny trick as the boat slowed and went down to the lower deck and stood next to a couple of our cases whilst the crew readied the debarkation ramp. This meant I was amongst the first off the boat with two heavy bags. After a short walk up off the pier I spotted a woman holding a “High Season” placard and made my way towards her. Smiley greetings as we waited for the other two to appear.
Our luggage was taken up to one of the dozens of waiting Songthaew (A songthaew is a passenger vehicle adapted from a pick-up truck with open side seating). 25 minutes later after travelling along undulating jungle roads we arrived at the “High Season Pool Villas and Spa Resort”. This was a 5-star resort and my choice as it was a special occasion after our marriage a few days ago… a sort of honeymoon.
After the usual preliminaries at check-in we were showed to our villa along winding wooden paths eventually arriving at No.206. WOW! We were immediately impressed. The inside was huge and we had our own private decent size swimming pool.
WEDNESDAY 3rd.
Decent breakfast at 08:00 with a good selection of food on offer… all very 5*.
Today was a case of familiarising ourselves with the resort. At first the various villas seemed to be connected to a labyrinth of wooden walkways akin to a maze. It was only after a day or so I began to see the logic in the layout but that was after getting lost twice.
Long swathe of pure white coral sand even with the tide out was impressive. The only downside was you have to wade out for 100’s of metres before you got water deep enough to swim in. Seawater the usual 30+°C.
Aom organised a motorbike rent and took Jack out for a spin to some local beaches and shops.
Most of the day was spent doing little until happy-hour at the beach bar which started at 4pm and terminated at 6pm…. Not over generous I have to say and it was BOGOF situation.
THURSDAY 4th.
Breakfast at 08:00 again.
Most of the day spent scudding about the island visiting various beaches. Still very hot and going into the sea didn't help cooling of as the water temp is over 32°C.
Dined out at one the roadside eateries... good food.
FRIDAY through SUNDAY.
As per Thursday, the day spent travelling by bike. At one point we got as far as Ao Yai at the far end of the island. We last visited here in 2015 and I have to say it's become a bit run down with even more derelict buildings on stilts. It's as if half the population have left which is probably the case.
I think we explored each and every road, lane and track over the days we were here. Each and every beach exceptional.
TOP LEFT: Ao Salat port. Point of arrival on Koh Kood.
TOP RIGHT: Klong Maad village.
2nd ROW LEFT: Ao Yai "floating" village.
2nd ROW RIGHT: Another photo of Ao Yai.
3rd ROW LEFT: Preparing sea-urchins. Some like to eat them??
3rd ROW RIGHT: A typical coconut grove.
BOTTOM: Ao Phrao
MONDAY 8th.
As on previous days, we simply clambered aboard the little 125cc bike and went beach hunting. Today we ended up at Bang Bao. This is quite a large area with several resorts and a huge beach bar/restaurant with its own swimming pool. 3 or 4 long rickety piers jut out into the enclosed bay servicing various boats, longtail, outboard and small ferries. The water was a bit murky here for snorkelling which is a pity as not far from shore there's abundant coral formations. Bang Bao is not the prettiest of beaches that Ko Kood can offer IMHO.
TUESDAY 9th & WEDNESDAY 10th.
Slow start today after some big breakfasts.
Both days were spent at one of my preferred beaches at Ao Jark. It's around a 20 minute bike ride from our resort at "High Season". I like it because it is so peaceful, very clean and never very busy. It's got a small resort attached and a great little beach bar/restaurant. It's not that easy to find either which adds to its charm. We opted to spend time here on at least 3 occasions.
Page 6
KOH KOOD (aka Ko Kut)
On arrival at Ko Kood was a case of ‘here we go again’… the same total chaos as embarkation as people tried to retain their luggage. This sort of thing really does bring out the worst in people.
I played a canny trick as the boat slowed and went down to the lower deck and stood next to a couple of our cases whilst the crew readied the debarkation ramp. This meant I was amongst the first off the boat with two heavy bags. After a short walk up off the pier I spotted a woman holding a “High Season” placard and made my way towards her. Smiley greetings as we waited for the other two to appear.
Our luggage was taken up to one of the dozens of waiting Songthaew (A songthaew is a passenger vehicle adapted from a pick-up truck with open side seating). 25 minutes later after travelling along undulating jungle roads we arrived at the “High Season Pool Villas and Spa Resort”. This was a 5-star resort and my choice as it was a special occasion after our marriage a few days ago… a sort of honeymoon.
After the usual preliminaries at check-in we were showed to our villa along winding wooden paths eventually arriving at No.206. WOW! We were immediately impressed. The inside was huge and we had our own private decent size swimming pool.
WEDNESDAY 3rd.
Decent breakfast at 08:00 with a good selection of food on offer… all very 5*.
Today was a case of familiarising ourselves with the resort. At first the various villas seemed to be connected to a labyrinth of wooden walkways akin to a maze. It was only after a day or so I began to see the logic in the layout but that was after getting lost twice.
Long swathe of pure white coral sand even with the tide out was impressive. The only downside was you have to wade out for 100’s of metres before you got water deep enough to swim in. Seawater the usual 30+°C.
Aom organised a motorbike rent and took Jack out for a spin to some local beaches and shops.
Most of the day was spent doing little until happy-hour at the beach bar which started at 4pm and terminated at 6pm…. Not over generous I have to say and it was BOGOF situation.
TOP LEFT: Ao Salat port. Point of arrival on Koh Kood. TOP RIGHT: Klong Maad village. 2nd ROW LEFT: Ao Yai "floating" village. 2nd ROW RIGHT: Another photo of Ao Yai. 3rd ROW LEFT: Preparing sea-urchins. Some like to eat them?? 3rd ROW RIGHT: A typical coconut grove. BOTTOM: Ao Phrao
THURSDAY 4th.
Breakfast at 08:00 again.
Most of the day spent scudding about the island visiting various beaches. Still very hot and going into the sea didn't help cooling of as the water temp is over 32°C.
Dined out at one the roadside eateries... good food.
FRIDAY through SUNDAY.
As per Thursday, the day spent travelling by bike. At one point we got as far as Ao Yai at the far end of the island. We last visited here in 2015 and I have to say it's become a bit run down with even more derelict buildings on stilts. It's as if half the population have left which is probably the case.
I think we explored each and every road, lane and track over the days we were here. Each and every beach exceptional.
MONDAY 8th.
As on previous days, we simply clambered aboard the little 125cc bike and went beach hunting. Today we ended up at Bang Bao. This is quite a large area with several resorts and a huge beach bar/restaurant with its own swimming pool. 3 or 4 long rickety piers jut out into the enclosed bay servicing various boats, longtail, outboard and small ferries. The water was a bit murky here for snorkelling which is a pity as not far from shore there's abundant coral formations. Bang Bao is not the prettiest of beaches that Ko Kood can offer IMHO.
TUESDAY 9th & WEDNESDAY 10th.
Slow start today after some big breakfasts.
Both days were spent at one of my preferred beaches at Ao Jark. It's around a 20 minute bike ride from our resort at "High Season". I like it because it is so peaceful, very clean and never very busy. It's got a small resort attached and a great little beach bar/restaurant. It's not that easy to find either which adds to its charm. We opted to spend time here on at least 3 occasions.
