Last visited March 2011
They don't come upwards likewise much to a greater extent than relaxing as well as off the beaten runway than the pocket-size beaches amongst solely i budget resort on the north-west coast of Ko Chang.
KO CHANG(Andaman) aka Little Ko Chang is a smallish attractive isle upwards close the Burmese border, accessible from Ranong. It has several placidity beaches as well as a surprising let out of bungalow places, as well as would appeal to one-time hands wanting to an abide by an isle similar Tao, Chang (eastern Gulf) etc were similar inwards the “old days”. Ragers as well as people looking for mid-range as well as higher accomm volition live disappointed, however.
Modified Google globe epitome showing Ranong Islands area.
Main features of Little Chang. White lines are concrete tracks, royal unpaved paths, pinkish trekking tracks.
I lay ? after Sapaan Hin on the mid eastward coast because although I idea the expanse was named thus, i afterwards map indicates Sapaan Hin is genuinely the expanse around the domestic pier inwards the due north east. UPDATE - since doing the map I've institute out the seat shown is right.
Note that few tourists utilization the northern pier - it is a long way from the master copy beaches. Most travellers come upwards inwards on the Chang ferry. Those heading for Ao Siad (Ao Lek) inwards the due south mainly utilization the Ko Phayam ferry as do visitors to the bungalow identify at Sapaan Hin, if it is open.
Map from Andaman Island Hopping.
H5N1 total size version addition bungalow information tin give the sack live seen here.
THE BEACHES
AO YAI
Most of Little Chang's travellers rest on this 3km long curved beach on the westward coast. Over a dozen bungalow operations are spread out along here.
Ao Yai extends from due north of Cashew at bottom to precisely past times Sawasdee inwards due south - amongst over a dozen bungalow places along this 3km stretch. There are some other 3 on the headland to the correct of Sawasdee. Note that I cranked upwards the vertical exaggeration a chip when I modified this Google globe epitome - nevertheless the mountains inwards shot are pretty impressive.
It is a placidity beach - at that spot is no line-fishing hamlet as well as it appeared 2 or iii long tails take away keep the boating needs of the bungalows. On my latest trip I saw i depression key bar but it seemed good away from bungalow areas. Lonely Planet mentions silty H2O - good it was as clear as anywhere else when I visited (both inwards March) except for the commencement 2 k or so off the beach where the swash backwash was leaching rutile (that dark sand which makes additives for estrus resistant metal) from nether the top layer of white/yellow sand. Note however, from some materials I've read since leaving, sea H2O clarity may live a chip trickier early on inwards the dry out season, tell Nov, Dec, when the catamenia out of that large river separating Thailand as well as Burma is silent pretty total on. My March visits were correct at the terminate of the dry out season. I saw no jelly fish, which also are oftentimes seasonal.
I genuinely recall of Ao Yai as five dissimilar areas:
North beach - the 1500m stretch from bottom of Google epitome to the pocket-size inlet precisely due south of the concrete road.
Central beach - following 600m past times the inlet to where the royal runway hits the beach.
Rocky expanse - a farther 400m of seaside rock.
South beach - nearly 400m to the far headland.
Headland area.
Northern Ao Yai
Northern Ao Yai has the nicest sand as well as deep H2O depression tide, specially closed to photographic telly camera inwards the commencement 300m from the headland. It also catches the sunsets good - the crease of the bay agency places the far terminate of Ao Yai are facing to a greater extent than due north than due west.
Moving due south away from photographic telly camera (Northern Ao Yai ends approx opposite that boat inwards far background) the H2O shallows a chip at depression tide as well as the sand seems to receive got to a greater extent than debris from the casuarina trees as well as a chip to a greater extent than of the darker rutile strands.
There are five or so bungalow resorts along this 1400m stretch - addition the temple expanse inwards the south. I stayed at Cashew Resort this latest trip, although I did similar the looks of all the other places, specially Andaman Hill Bungalows against the northern corner amongst some neat looking bungalows built upwards the steep hillside.
My 250 baht bungalow inwards the jungle at Cashew Resort.
Cashew was the commencement bungalow resort on the island, as well as is at nowadays the biggest amongst over xxx bungalows of varous styles as well as prices. Run past times the obliging as well as attentive Mr Meow, it is spread over nearly 300m of beachfront amongst several rows of huts - but also has some cheaper options a practiced 200m from the beach inwards the jungle behind. Well they telephone telephone it jungle - I’d shape it as tropical beach scrub.
Cashew is popular - all the places close the beach were taken so I got the jungle. At 250baht it was practiced value - clean, solid construction, airy, plenty room for 2 as well as gear but non 3, lots of shelving as well as wearing clothing hanging space, comfy queen bed-net inwards practiced repair, large bath amongst western toilet, spacious veranda amongst hammock, feet washing tap as well as peaceful bush outlook (50m to the following bungalow). Very placidity at night. No fan (no 24 hr electricity). Some parts of the bush access runway were non lit good at night.
Cashew’s eating theatre is set upwards dorsum to a greater extent than from the beach than most places on Northern Yai as well as has some sitting bales out the front.
Food good, prices towards the lower terminate of budget bungalow restaurants amongst plenty of mains nether 100 including rice, pocket-size Changs 45 (March 2011). Service a chip slower than the normal super quick bungalow identify thing, but this articulation gets practiced crowds. This is i of those places where yous accept your social club into the kitchen, grab your drinks from the fridge.
Beach out front end of Cashew reasonably nice. Casuarinas drib a chip of debris but furnish shade into mid afternoon. Water deep plenty depression tide for practiced swimming non likewise far from shore.
Central Ao Yai
South of the creek entrance, the beach continues for some other 600m or so until the rocky area. Sand hither seems to a greater extent than stained amongst rutile as well as the H2O tends to live a chip shallow closed to shore at depression tide. There are 3 or so real set dorsum bungalow places behind the casuarinas, addition a pocket-size beach bar which seems far plenty from places that dissonance would non live likewise much a worry.
Low tide shot of primal beach area. Creek entrance is background opposite those sea rocks.
The Rocks
Sand gives way to this elevated rocky department due south of the primal beach area. There are a span of bungalow places high behind the rocks including the real pop Ko Chang Resort.
South Ao Yai as well as the Headland Area
Past the rocks is the concluding stretch of sand. Seen at depression tide here, this beach gets a chip skinny at high tide. H5N1 path bridges a pocket-size stream at the terminate of the beach as well as continues across a depression saddle (white arrow) to Ao Laetawan. H5N1 side runway to the correct goes to handful of bungalow places amongst elevated views of the bay, including the yellowish arrowed Nature View which has got to live my following abode when I render to Little Chang. Please excuse the shaky arrows - my “Paint” skills aint.
Nature View has a neat Sun deck as well as pier expanse closed to the water. The eating theatre is at nowadays behind some five meters higher as well as the bungalows are built on the hillside a chip higher. That's the populace longtail ferry from Ranong at the pier. The due south beach is inwards background. I had precisely trekked upwards from Ao Siad inwards the islands due south via the mount path when I took this shot - had a wonderful swim off the terminate of the pier.
South Beach has 3 or 4 places to rest including the attractive Sawasdee which was my domicile when I commencement visited the isle inwards 2006.
My Sawasdee bungalow - 250 baht inwards 2006, 350 inwards 2011. Main changes inwards 2011 - bungalow had been refurbished as well as at that spot seemed to live twice as many (only five or so 2006).
Back inwards 2006 the commencement Ranong boundary omnibus that came along at Khao Lak was the daily Visa Run coach from Phuket, so I flagged it down. This worked out existent good because its commencement halt is the Immigration Office at Ranong, which is a brusk distance to the Chang-Phayam pier. H5N1 xx baht motorbike taxi got me to the pier amongst precisely plenty fourth dimension to grab a loving cup of java as well as a bottle of Mae Khong before jumping on the mid-day long tail which takes supplies as well as passengers to the resorts on Chang’s most pop beach Ao Yai on the westward coast after dropping off at the north-west beaches - as well as to Ao Dah Deng precisely to the due south of Yai. The trip cost 140 baht (150 inwards 2011) as well as takes nearly an hour. The journeying downriver at Ranong is pretty interesting as are the multitude of large as well as pocket-size Burmese islands i time yous learn to sea.
H5N1 daughter at the Ranong pier showed me some photos of her place, Sawasdee amongst rather attractive 250 baht bungalows. They looked pretty practiced to me so I said sure. Sawasdee is lastly bungalow on Ao Yai, correct downwards the southern end, so I had a take away a opportunity to banking concern check all the places as nosotros dropped materials as well as people off (at most of the places guests waded out to assist unload the bags of ice, groceries as well as bottles of booze etc, a kinda carnival atmosphere)- all the bungalows looked okay. The beach is definitely nicest upwards the northern end, but it wasn’t shabby at Sawasdee, specially at depression tide when quite a broad sandy spit was exposed. Sawasdee faces due north so yous learn bang-up views of those Burma islands, but non the sunsets yous tin give the sack consider from farther upwards the beach.
However westward facing AO LAETAWAN is a five infinitesimal walk across a pocket-size span over a creek as well as a depression divide. Nice beach amongst 3 rather funky looking bungalow places as well as some bang-up large granite rocks at each end, perfect for downing a hitting or 10 of Mae Khong as the Sun sinks behind some other Burma isle (the border genuinely runs north-south here).
Sun setting over the large Burmese islands (image Panoramio-Yoav Menachem)
My 250 baht Sawasdee bungalow was the best value on the whole 10 isle 2006 trip - fairly novel as well as inwards bang-up status (built a few weeks before the seismic sea wave - owners Nui as well as Fon told me the H2O was a meter deep inwards the bungalows but did non travail likewise much structural impairment whereas places farther upwards the beach non protected past times the headland copped it much worse). It had a manly somebody monarch size bed (double++) as well as plenty of room for 2 people as well as their gear, a mirror inwards the bath (so many places don’t, makes shaving etc a existent hassle) addition niggling extras similar a hammock across the large verandah, a broom, a tap at the pes of the stairs for washing sandy feet as well as lots of lines as well as hooks for gear etc. They handed out a detailed isle map showing all bungalows, roads (really solely paths broad plenty for 2 motorcycles to pass), hiking tracks as well as viewpoints. The bungalows as well as the grounds were spotless. Fon did a tourism course of teaching (in OZ of all places!) as well as it showed. The pocket-size eating theatre was to a greater extent than attractive than common - beam as well as pole structure amongst some elevated sitting platforms similar Balinese bales. There were also some of these out precisely behind the beach, along amongst some hammocks as well as lazy chairs. Plenty of trees beachfront for practiced shade until belatedly afternoon. Food was non expensive as well as Nui, Fon as well as Fon’s mum are pretty practiced cooks. Altogether I tin give the sack thoroughly recommend this place. tel 077-820177, 086-906-0900, 086-168 7908, Google for the website.
Taking it like shooting fish in a barrel on a Sawasdee bale.
Ao Laetawan
The path across the depression saddle from southern Ao Yai is solely nearly 400m long. Laetawan is perfect for someone wanting an fifty-fifty to a greater extent than set dorsum location than Yai itself. There are 3 bungalow operations hither including good regarded Mama's which has relocated from Ao Siad/Ao Lek inwards the islands south.
About two-thirds of Ao Laetawan. Nice plenty beach, H2O seemed non likewise shallow at depression tide. The trekking path to the due south leaves the far terminate of the beach as well as moves higher upwards the rocks for a brusk distance out of frame.
Ao Siad/Ao Lek
This is the southern beach expanse facing Ko Phayam - fifty-fifty to a greater extent than relaxed than Ao Laetawan. Some maps, websites etc telephone telephone it Siad, others Lek. There are 3 or 4 places to stay, but when I visited inwards March '11 a few places mentioned inwards my enquiry had closed downwards as well as at that spot was i novel joint. Long running Ao Lek Bungalows as well as Tommy's Garden were silent going strong.
Access is dissimilar - most people learn dropped off from the Phayam ferry - as well as yous tin give the sack also come upwards downwards from Ao Yai on Ko Chang Bungalow's morn boat to Phayam (make certain they know yous desire to live dropped at Ao Siad beforehand). You demand to contact your bungalow to brand certain a boat is sent out inwards both cases - the bigger ferries can't access the beach.
It is possible to walk from Ao Yai taking a much flatter route than the mount trekking track, but having done it amongst a low-cal daypack I wouldn't desire to seek the 2 hr or so walk amongst a total travellers' pack.
There are genuinely 2 beaches at Siad/Lek - let's telephone telephone them Siad 1, the longer eastern beach which extends from higher upwards the G inwards TOMMY'S GARDEN to close the terminate of the headland bottom right. And Siad 2, the pocket-size beach to the left where Tommy's Garden is located.
Tommy has his ain boat whereas other places seem to utilization a pocket-size local boat contracted past times the ferry company.
I modified this oblique Google globe epitome which mightiness live clearer if yous click to enlarge. You tin give the sack consider where the mount trekking runway leaves the master copy path to the hamlet at centre-top of epitome as well as where it leaves the pocket-size beach at Ao Kai Tao top-left.
Siad 1 is over a km long amongst a few interruptions past times depression fingers of rock. There is some other 400m or so behind camera. Beach is non upwards to the touchstone of Ao Yai, but the chill component makes upwards for this. Ao Lek Bungalows is on a depression loma at nowadays behind the sand inwards the expanse of the camera.
Green Banana beach bar - this identify was behind the photographic telly camera on the previous shot.
Siad 2 is a nicer beach than its eastern neighbor - looks a chip moisture hither inwards this depression tide shot but that's non the affect of high tide - rather of heavy overnight rain. The runway inwards dorsum of Siad 1 continues some other five minutes behind a pocket-size headland as well as so drops downwards to Tommy's Garden, the solely identify on Siad 2. BTW, H2O deep plenty for a practiced swim reasonably closed to beach depression tide.
I've wanted to rest at Ao Siad/Lek always since my commencement see to neighbouring Ko Phayam when I saw a few people jumping off the ferry into a pocket-size boat to access this remote spot. So on my latest see to Phayam I got the daughter inwards the minimart close the Phayam pier to telephone Tommy's Garden to so I could live picked upwards mid bay off the ferry. The people at Tommy's mixed the message as well as idea I was coming inwards off the ferry from Ranong - fortunately a dude going to Ao Lek Bungalows was on my ferry, so I hooked a elevator inwards the tiny boat other bungalows utilization to run into the ferry as well as walked across to Tommy's.
Tommy's Garden is the solely identify on this pocket-size beach. That's the beachfront eating theatre standing out. There are nearly one-half a dozen beachside bungalows mainly to the left at 300b when I visited inwards March '11 as well as some other 4 or five 250b huts on the hillside behind. The beachside jobs are inwards a reasonable garden setting - the hillside is to a greater extent than natural bushland. Place seems popular, running at nearly 80% when I visited, which was to a greater extent than shoulder flavour than high.
View from eating theatre of Tommy's Garden across to Ko Phayam. Food hither pretty good, seemed nearly average toll wise for budget bungalows. Friendly quick service.
My 250b hillside bungalow at Tommy's Garden. This was a real basic old-style backpackers' thatch walled bungalow. Bit squeezy for 2 people as well as their gear, real sparse double mattress as against common manly somebody monarch or queen, cyberspace non inwards practiced repair, squat toilet, no basin, byo john newspaper as well as towel, no external door lock. Big deck amongst tree filtered sea views. Paths a chip dodgy amongst some areas needing a torch at nighttime as well as i H2O pipage trip-booby trap. My commencement idea was this articulation didn't concord a candle to my 250b bungalow at Cashew on Ao Yai before inwards the week. Perspective needed - yous don't learn likewise many 250b bungalows inwards the Andaman away from depression flavour these days - as well as so on that footing Tommy's hillside chore was okay. Thing is I didn't motility to a meliorate seaside bungalow when I got the take away a opportunity later.
Tommy heads dorsum domicile after dropping me off at the Phayam to Ranong ferry.
The Northern Beaches
Probably to a greater extent than accurately the north-western beaches.
North of Ao Yai is a stretch of mount backed coastline which contains 3 overnice niggling bays, each amongst its ain bungalow place. The beaches hither seemed pretty okay when our ferry called inwards to drib off guests as well as provisions from Ranong.
This is Hornbill Bungalow's beach. Others at Contex as well as Sea Eagle were similar. I recall Rasta Baby shares i of these beaches.
Sapaan Hin
Sapaan Hin from the passing Phayam ferry - mightiness live worth clicking epitome to expand. Sapaan Hin Resort is behind the pocket-size rocky department mid shot amongst 2 pocket-size beach areas each side. In 2006 I trekked across hither on a runway which comes over the loma behind from the Ao Siad-village path - the resort was real set back. But it seemed closed inwards 2011. I haven't whatever 2006 pix because they were the days when I used to go existent light.
TREKKING KO CHANG
You tin give the sack silent likely do the walk to Sapaan Hin, but latest see I didn't notice the signposts off the master copy runway that existed inwards 2006.
The mountain-rainforest walk from Aos Yai/Laetawan to Lek Bay close Ao Lek/Siad via the national green rangers' beach at Ao Kai Tao is the biggy as well as the best - consider the 2d Google globe epitome map higher upwards for the route.
The runway leaves the inland terminate of Ao Laetawan higher upwards the rocks - human face for the plastic H2O bottle markers on trees. It runs higher upwards the rocks for a brusk distance as well as so turns sharply uphill. From at that spot it undulates through thick wood to Ao Kai Tao.
From within the picnic shelter at Ao Kai Tao. My trekking companion told me at that spot is oftentimes a green ranger stationed here, but non when nosotros passed thru. Some trekkers heading the other way said they met some enthusiastic farangs pushing dope here. We didn't consider them either.
Look inland-south a chip from this shelter for a span which takes the runway farther south. It climbs across the saddle as well as so drops thru real practiced rainforest to run into the master copy hamlet to Ao Siad/Lek path nearly five minutes away from those beaches. If yous are walking the other way the right-angle plow was marked past times to a greater extent than bottles on the scrub.
In all it volition accept xc to 120 minutes to do this walk. Mostly practiced rainforest, no killer uphills heading south, but if yous are heading due north yous volition abide by the lastly 10 or xv minutes going upwards to the commencement saddle a practiced workout.
You don't receive got to retrace your steps to learn dorsum to Ao Yai/Laetawan - but caput due north upwards the path to the hamlet (about an hour) as well as so plow left (west) downwards the concrete path xx minutes or so to Ao Yai.
Village to Ao Siad/Lek walk.
This is a overnice flatish walk downwards the island, the commencement km or so is concrete, giving way to a dirt path. Distance is nearly 5km as well as volition accept perchance lxxx minutes. Near Ao Said 1 the runway veers right. Takes some other 10-15 minutes to learn across to Ao Siad 2 as well as Tommy's Garden.
My trekking companion commented on how the creek crossings were at nowadays bridged much meliorate than previous years.
A span of unexpected bungalow places along this path. Chilli Garden higher upwards was nearly 2km due south of the hamlet inwards the middle of nowhere - a novel identify run past times an enthusiastic Scot who rushed out as well as earbashed us nearly his rather impressive garden expanse - he was a landscape gardener dorsum home. I'm non certain how travellers are supposed to access this place, but he didn't seemed to live concerned. He had a overnice eating theatre as well as some as attractive bungalows behind almost finished.
Further due south where the path commencement hits Lek Bay was a similar newish articulation run past times a immature local amongst colourful bungalows. At to the lowest degree he has a pier out thru the mangroves. But this is silent xx minutes from the nearest okay beach - Ao Siad 1.
And farther due south i time to a greater extent than where the path turns correct towards the beaches is a newish bar restaurant, i time once to a greater extent than inwards the middle of nowhere.
Ao Yai to Village walk - this would live done past times most visitors. The concrete path runs from the temple expanse precisely due north of the pocket-size creek estuary approx primal beach, turns inland at the estuary as well as makes its way eastward to the village. Less than 2km. Slight uphill sections along hither - no effort.
Concrete path Ao Yai to village. Main isle manufacture is either prophylactic trees pictured or cashew trees.
About 500m from the beach is a pocket-size store as well as eating theatre on the correct - a runway leads off hither as well as goes downwards to southern Ao Yai - The Bakery amongst yummy fresh baked materials sits all past times itself a few hundred meters along this side runway from the turn.
Back on the left (north) side of master copy concrete path a chip closer to town is a real practiced eating theatre run past times 2 Swiss expats - first-class inexpensive nutrient tends to attact a practiced crowd.
The hamlet is a cluster of nearly a dozen houses as well as a span of shops at the intersection of the eastward westward as well as due north due south concrete paths. The inevitable schoolhouse is out of town some other 400m or so eastward past times which the path peters out at a mangrove inlet.
Above is the busiest hamlet store which was doing a roaring merchandise when nosotros called inwards on our circular Siad-Laetawan-Yai-village-Siad trek, but perchance because cockfights were precisely finishing inwards a nearby dorsum yard.
The pocket-size size of the hamlet is downwards to the fact that the isle has solely a few hundred residents, quite a few of whom alive inwards rural homesteads. There seems to live no local songthaew (I solely saw 2 4 wheeled vehicles on my wanderings around the island) as well as no motorcycle-taxis. The locals either walk or utilization their ain motorcycles or a few bicycles.
Trek to the northern beaches.
I started out heading that way, but the diverse paths which seemed to live inwards the correct management (the due north of the isle is criss-crossed amongst paths) were non sign-posted, as well as I ended upwards at the due north eastward pier. Nothing outstanding along that route, I missed the Burmese as well as Thai villages inwards the due north eastward Lisa Jennings mentions inwards her trip study below.
To learn to the northern beaches requires a major climb as well as drib which could involve some outstanding views - i route I'll receive got to learn practiced directions for on my following visit.
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This isle is the perfect identify to relax, wander the beach, swim, Sun or shade it out or accept a hike along the trails through the forest, cashew as well as prophylactic tree plantations. I did consider some signs for diving as well as snorkeling trips to the Burma islands as well as the Surin Isands. You tin give the sack hire motorcycles as well as mount bikes.
This is non a practiced snorkelling island. I did receive got a human face along the headlands both ends of Ao Yai as well as saw the common fishies as well as a chip of fringing coral but visibility was solely fair as well as could live worse early on inwards the tourist flavour when the run-off from the nearby large river betwixt Thailand as well as Burma is high.
OPEN WET SEASON?
From what I understand, most places closed down. The Ranong expanse is equal wettest inwards Thailand along amongst the Trat area. Ao Yai would live exposed to the westerlies except perchance at the southern end. I did read somewhere that Cashew stays open, but similar a dill forgot to confirm this when I stayed at that spot latest trip.
From the personalities dot of persuasion I was struck past times the lack of gap twelvemonth daughter as well as lager lout types. What nosotros had hither were immature couples, families as well as a few other younger travelers mainly Euro inwards origin, specially German. Aint it interesting how the Germans flock to the to a greater extent than out of the way places? Plus to a greater extent than than the common let out of older long fourth dimension traveller types - amongst a novel visa a relatively uncomplicated 2 long tail trips away, yous tin give the sack consider the attraction.
UPDATE - latest trip also saw an enthusiastic bunch of older Euro retirees at Cashew - plainly they pass the worst 2-4 months of their homelands' winters on niggling Chang. Not stupid.
For divers Aladdin Dive Cruise runs boats to the Surins as well as Similans as well as does teaching - Google website.
GETTING TO LITTLE KO CHANG
Ferries.
FROM RANONG
- The Ao Yai service leaves around ix inwards the morn as well as 2-3 inwards the afternoon from the Saphan Plaa pier. Times tin give the sack vary a chip depending on tides which tin give the sack learn out the ferries high as well as dry out at dead depression tide. One poster said he got a fairky belatedly omnibus into Ranong as well as silent managed to learn the ferry which didn't depart until after 4pm that day.
- There is also a populace ferry goes to the north-east pier around mid-day, but this is a long way from the tourist beaches as well as I haven't seen whatever motorbike taxis etc on niggling Chang.
- You volition demand the Ko Phayam ferry from the same Ranong pier for Ao Siad/Lek inwards the due south of Chang. Times are about the same. I asked if the Phayam speedboat volition drib people off on southern Chang - plainly not.
FROM PHAYAM
- grab a returning Ranong boundary ferry to learn off inwards the bay following Ao Siad/Lek. Remember to accommodate amongst your bungalow to pick yous up.
Heading to Ao Yai on the Ranong-Chang ferry.
- Phayan to Ao Yai. Ko Chang Resort runs a ferry downwards to Ko Phayam at around 9am returning approx 4pm. This is a bang-up cope easier than having to render to Ranong as well as swap ferries as I did dorsum inwards '06.
GETTING TO RANONG
Flights
Google Ranong Air for daily flights from Bangkok as well as Phuket.
UPDATE early DEC 2011 - seems Ranong Air is out of action. However Happy Air is running Mondays, Wednesdays as well as Fridays from Bangkok.
UPDATE OF UPDATE (crikey!!) - from December fourteen 2011 Ranong Air is running i time to a greater extent than Wednesdays, Fridays as well as Sundays.
Buses
FROM BANGKOK - at that spot are quite a few services from the Southern Bus Station to or thru Ranong. The trip is nearly 10-11 hours. There is an overnighter leaving around 8pm which according to people makes Ranong inwards fourth dimension for the morn ferry.
FROM PHUKET - daytime buses run about hourly. five to half dozen hours.
FROM SAMUI/PHANGAN/TAO - at that spot are buses as well as minibuses run across to Ranong from Surathani as well as Chumpon. Note Chumpon omnibus station is nearly 5km out of town which makes the minibuses to a greater extent than convenient.
FROM KRABI AND PHANG NGA - at that spot are a few straight buses to Ranong from Krabi omnibus station. These tend to telephone telephone inwards at Phang Nga. If the timing is bad yous tin give the sack learn to a greater extent than frequent services to Takua Pa as well as alter for Ranong.
FROM RANONG BUS STATION TO SAPHAN PLAA PIER
This is nearly 5km. I paid seventy baht inwards the contrary management inwards March '11 for a motorbike taxi - no dubiety way likewise much but I was inwards a hurry to brand a local cherry rattler to Kuraburi for the Surin islands.
I read a website post early on 2011 from a traveller managed to cope a taxi downwards to seventy for her identify unit of measurement from the omnibus station to the pier. Seems pretty practiced to me.
I receive got twice used Kiwi Guesthouse's SUV shuttle which takes guests downwards to the ferries inwards the morn for 100 each. Kiwi is at the terminate of the northern-most of the 3 broad lanes that sew together to the omnibus station from the master copy route - its rooms are non bang-up as well as overpriced but I receive got used it twice after arriving on a omnibus from Phuket around 11pm - couldn't live bothered looking for a articulation uptown that late. The lady who runs the articulation is real efficient - knows the best deals on the isle as well as tin give the sack 'phone for vacancies as well as majority yous in. She seems to learn practiced prices.
Note the Ranong minibus station is inwards some other role of town, farther from the pier although I reckon the 70baht motorbike taxi fare would silent easily work.
There is a songthaew starts from town primal as well as runs along the master copy route close the pier - but negotiating the zig zag backstreets to the pier is a chip of a force a fast i on on foot.
TRIP REPORT FROM FEBRUARY 08.
Lisa Jennings was on the same Similan Islands live-aboard snorkelling trip I did inwards belatedly Jan 08. She wanted a overnice as well as non-touristy isle on the way dorsum to Bangkok. Little Chang fits the neb on all 3 counts. This is what she emailed me:
"I visited Ko Chang inwards January, 2008. It's definitely silent i of the to a greater extent than set dorsum islands inwards Thailand. It certain doesn't receive got that touristy experience yous learn on the other Andaman islands, as well as the bungalows are rustic as well as cheap. Most are 200 baht, amongst some nicer ones amongst large porches correct at the border of the bounding main for 400 baht.
This isle is super friendly during the high season, as well as bang-up for solo travellers! The travellers as well as thais I met hither were real sociable. Ko Change seemed to attract a dissimilar type of traveller, as well as a few people I met had spent several weeks on this island.
There are walking trails all over the island, some paved, some pretty adventurous. Don't immature lady the Burmese as well as Thai villages on the northeast coast. Take the trail along the westward side of the isle to learn to the villages, don't become through the mangroves similar I did. :-) Watch for the hornbill birds - large as well as genuinely cool to see. H5N1 few people said they had seen large snakes, but I never saw one.
I met a identify unit of measurement inwards the thai hamlet that invited me into thier i room hut. The manly somebody bring upwards climbed upwards the kokosnoot tree, barefoot, as well as twisted off a kokosnoot for me. He hacked off the top as well as I sat at that spot trying to beak amongst them for a span hours, drinking the kokosnoot milk. As I left, he wanted to give me the amulet around his neck, although I prostested. He insisted, so I gave them my hat. Such nice, friendly people on Ko Chang.
There were many practiced places to swallow at the dissimilar bungalows on Ko Chang. Full satelite as well as Hornbill were my favorites, as well as I tried to sample most of the bungalow's cooking. There is an first-class bakery that is a niggling difficult to abide by the commencement time. Take the inland trail close Golden Bee. Brownies, muffins, fresh whole grain bread, omelettes, all that materials yous crave when you've been inwards Thailand a long time! Run past times a super overnice australian guy as well as his super gracious thai wife. The beaches are pretty overnice on Ko Change, the accomodations are rustic, it's placidity as well as the nightlife is pretty much non-existent. It mightiness receive got been my favorite isle inwards Thailand."
Thanks Lisa. Below are a span of shots she sent me.
Nice shot dorsum towards the mainland from i of the tracks inwards the due north of the island.
This is role of AO YAI beach looking due south - Sawasdee Bungalows is behind that department of rocks inwards the background as well as AO DA DENG, the sunset beach, is thru the depression saddle expanse farther back.
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If yous see niggling Chang yous mightiness also live interested inwards nearby:
KO PHAYAM
SURIN ISLANDS
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XXXX - If yous receive got whatever questions, delight inquire them inwards THE FORUM rather than below. I don't learn a take away a opportunity to banking concern check all threads daily, but unless I'm travelling I'll seek to monitor THE FORUM regularly.
---------------------------------------------THERE ARE ACTUALLY 2 BEACHES AND ISLANDS BLOGS (for reasons explained inwards " About This Site" accessed thru the index) SO THERE ARE MORE BEACH AND ISLAND PAGES HERE Sumber http://tezzasthaiinfo.blogspot.com/
They don't come upwards likewise much to a greater extent than relaxing as well as off the beaten runway than the pocket-size beaches amongst solely i budget resort on the north-west coast of Ko Chang.KO CHANG(Andaman) aka Little Ko Chang is a smallish attractive isle upwards close the Burmese border, accessible from Ranong. It has several placidity beaches as well as a surprising let out of bungalow places, as well as would appeal to one-time hands wanting to an abide by an isle similar Tao, Chang (eastern Gulf) etc were similar inwards the “old days”. Ragers as well as people looking for mid-range as well as higher accomm volition live disappointed, however.
Modified Google globe epitome showing Ranong Islands area.
Main features of Little Chang. White lines are concrete tracks, royal unpaved paths, pinkish trekking tracks.I lay ? after Sapaan Hin on the mid eastward coast because although I idea the expanse was named thus, i afterwards map indicates Sapaan Hin is genuinely the expanse around the domestic pier inwards the due north east. UPDATE - since doing the map I've institute out the seat shown is right.
Note that few tourists utilization the northern pier - it is a long way from the master copy beaches. Most travellers come upwards inwards on the Chang ferry. Those heading for Ao Siad (Ao Lek) inwards the due south mainly utilization the Ko Phayam ferry as do visitors to the bungalow identify at Sapaan Hin, if it is open.
Map from Andaman Island Hopping.H5N1 total size version addition bungalow information tin give the sack live seen here.
THE BEACHES
AO YAI
Most of Little Chang's travellers rest on this 3km long curved beach on the westward coast. Over a dozen bungalow operations are spread out along here.
Ao Yai extends from due north of Cashew at bottom to precisely past times Sawasdee inwards due south - amongst over a dozen bungalow places along this 3km stretch. There are some other 3 on the headland to the correct of Sawasdee. Note that I cranked upwards the vertical exaggeration a chip when I modified this Google globe epitome - nevertheless the mountains inwards shot are pretty impressive.It is a placidity beach - at that spot is no line-fishing hamlet as well as it appeared 2 or iii long tails take away keep the boating needs of the bungalows. On my latest trip I saw i depression key bar but it seemed good away from bungalow areas. Lonely Planet mentions silty H2O - good it was as clear as anywhere else when I visited (both inwards March) except for the commencement 2 k or so off the beach where the swash backwash was leaching rutile (that dark sand which makes additives for estrus resistant metal) from nether the top layer of white/yellow sand. Note however, from some materials I've read since leaving, sea H2O clarity may live a chip trickier early on inwards the dry out season, tell Nov, Dec, when the catamenia out of that large river separating Thailand as well as Burma is silent pretty total on. My March visits were correct at the terminate of the dry out season. I saw no jelly fish, which also are oftentimes seasonal.
I genuinely recall of Ao Yai as five dissimilar areas:
North beach - the 1500m stretch from bottom of Google epitome to the pocket-size inlet precisely due south of the concrete road.
Central beach - following 600m past times the inlet to where the royal runway hits the beach.
Rocky expanse - a farther 400m of seaside rock.
South beach - nearly 400m to the far headland.
Headland area.
Northern Ao Yai
Northern Ao Yai has the nicest sand as well as deep H2O depression tide, specially closed to photographic telly camera inwards the commencement 300m from the headland. It also catches the sunsets good - the crease of the bay agency places the far terminate of Ao Yai are facing to a greater extent than due north than due west.Moving due south away from photographic telly camera (Northern Ao Yai ends approx opposite that boat inwards far background) the H2O shallows a chip at depression tide as well as the sand seems to receive got to a greater extent than debris from the casuarina trees as well as a chip to a greater extent than of the darker rutile strands.
There are five or so bungalow resorts along this 1400m stretch - addition the temple expanse inwards the south. I stayed at Cashew Resort this latest trip, although I did similar the looks of all the other places, specially Andaman Hill Bungalows against the northern corner amongst some neat looking bungalows built upwards the steep hillside.
My 250 baht bungalow inwards the jungle at Cashew Resort.Cashew was the commencement bungalow resort on the island, as well as is at nowadays the biggest amongst over xxx bungalows of varous styles as well as prices. Run past times the obliging as well as attentive Mr Meow, it is spread over nearly 300m of beachfront amongst several rows of huts - but also has some cheaper options a practiced 200m from the beach inwards the jungle behind. Well they telephone telephone it jungle - I’d shape it as tropical beach scrub.
Cashew is popular - all the places close the beach were taken so I got the jungle. At 250baht it was practiced value - clean, solid construction, airy, plenty room for 2 as well as gear but non 3, lots of shelving as well as wearing clothing hanging space, comfy queen bed-net inwards practiced repair, large bath amongst western toilet, spacious veranda amongst hammock, feet washing tap as well as peaceful bush outlook (50m to the following bungalow). Very placidity at night. No fan (no 24 hr electricity). Some parts of the bush access runway were non lit good at night.
Cashew’s eating theatre is set upwards dorsum to a greater extent than from the beach than most places on Northern Yai as well as has some sitting bales out the front.Food good, prices towards the lower terminate of budget bungalow restaurants amongst plenty of mains nether 100 including rice, pocket-size Changs 45 (March 2011). Service a chip slower than the normal super quick bungalow identify thing, but this articulation gets practiced crowds. This is i of those places where yous accept your social club into the kitchen, grab your drinks from the fridge.
Beach out front end of Cashew reasonably nice. Casuarinas drib a chip of debris but furnish shade into mid afternoon. Water deep plenty depression tide for practiced swimming non likewise far from shore.Central Ao Yai
South of the creek entrance, the beach continues for some other 600m or so until the rocky area. Sand hither seems to a greater extent than stained amongst rutile as well as the H2O tends to live a chip shallow closed to shore at depression tide. There are 3 or so real set dorsum bungalow places behind the casuarinas, addition a pocket-size beach bar which seems far plenty from places that dissonance would non live likewise much a worry.
Low tide shot of primal beach area. Creek entrance is background opposite those sea rocks.The Rocks
Sand gives way to this elevated rocky department due south of the primal beach area. There are a span of bungalow places high behind the rocks including the real pop Ko Chang Resort.South Ao Yai as well as the Headland Area
Past the rocks is the concluding stretch of sand. Seen at depression tide here, this beach gets a chip skinny at high tide. H5N1 path bridges a pocket-size stream at the terminate of the beach as well as continues across a depression saddle (white arrow) to Ao Laetawan. H5N1 side runway to the correct goes to handful of bungalow places amongst elevated views of the bay, including the yellowish arrowed Nature View which has got to live my following abode when I render to Little Chang. Please excuse the shaky arrows - my “Paint” skills aint.
Nature View has a neat Sun deck as well as pier expanse closed to the water. The eating theatre is at nowadays behind some five meters higher as well as the bungalows are built on the hillside a chip higher. That's the populace longtail ferry from Ranong at the pier. The due south beach is inwards background. I had precisely trekked upwards from Ao Siad inwards the islands due south via the mount path when I took this shot - had a wonderful swim off the terminate of the pier.South Beach has 3 or 4 places to rest including the attractive Sawasdee which was my domicile when I commencement visited the isle inwards 2006.
My Sawasdee bungalow - 250 baht inwards 2006, 350 inwards 2011. Main changes inwards 2011 - bungalow had been refurbished as well as at that spot seemed to live twice as many (only five or so 2006).Back inwards 2006 the commencement Ranong boundary omnibus that came along at Khao Lak was the daily Visa Run coach from Phuket, so I flagged it down. This worked out existent good because its commencement halt is the Immigration Office at Ranong, which is a brusk distance to the Chang-Phayam pier. H5N1 xx baht motorbike taxi got me to the pier amongst precisely plenty fourth dimension to grab a loving cup of java as well as a bottle of Mae Khong before jumping on the mid-day long tail which takes supplies as well as passengers to the resorts on Chang’s most pop beach Ao Yai on the westward coast after dropping off at the north-west beaches - as well as to Ao Dah Deng precisely to the due south of Yai. The trip cost 140 baht (150 inwards 2011) as well as takes nearly an hour. The journeying downriver at Ranong is pretty interesting as are the multitude of large as well as pocket-size Burmese islands i time yous learn to sea.
H5N1 daughter at the Ranong pier showed me some photos of her place, Sawasdee amongst rather attractive 250 baht bungalows. They looked pretty practiced to me so I said sure. Sawasdee is lastly bungalow on Ao Yai, correct downwards the southern end, so I had a take away a opportunity to banking concern check all the places as nosotros dropped materials as well as people off (at most of the places guests waded out to assist unload the bags of ice, groceries as well as bottles of booze etc, a kinda carnival atmosphere)- all the bungalows looked okay. The beach is definitely nicest upwards the northern end, but it wasn’t shabby at Sawasdee, specially at depression tide when quite a broad sandy spit was exposed. Sawasdee faces due north so yous learn bang-up views of those Burma islands, but non the sunsets yous tin give the sack consider from farther upwards the beach.
However westward facing AO LAETAWAN is a five infinitesimal walk across a pocket-size span over a creek as well as a depression divide. Nice beach amongst 3 rather funky looking bungalow places as well as some bang-up large granite rocks at each end, perfect for downing a hitting or 10 of Mae Khong as the Sun sinks behind some other Burma isle (the border genuinely runs north-south here).
Sun setting over the large Burmese islands (image Panoramio-Yoav Menachem)My 250 baht Sawasdee bungalow was the best value on the whole 10 isle 2006 trip - fairly novel as well as inwards bang-up status (built a few weeks before the seismic sea wave - owners Nui as well as Fon told me the H2O was a meter deep inwards the bungalows but did non travail likewise much structural impairment whereas places farther upwards the beach non protected past times the headland copped it much worse). It had a manly somebody monarch size bed (double++) as well as plenty of room for 2 people as well as their gear, a mirror inwards the bath (so many places don’t, makes shaving etc a existent hassle) addition niggling extras similar a hammock across the large verandah, a broom, a tap at the pes of the stairs for washing sandy feet as well as lots of lines as well as hooks for gear etc. They handed out a detailed isle map showing all bungalows, roads (really solely paths broad plenty for 2 motorcycles to pass), hiking tracks as well as viewpoints. The bungalows as well as the grounds were spotless. Fon did a tourism course of teaching (in OZ of all places!) as well as it showed. The pocket-size eating theatre was to a greater extent than attractive than common - beam as well as pole structure amongst some elevated sitting platforms similar Balinese bales. There were also some of these out precisely behind the beach, along amongst some hammocks as well as lazy chairs. Plenty of trees beachfront for practiced shade until belatedly afternoon. Food was non expensive as well as Nui, Fon as well as Fon’s mum are pretty practiced cooks. Altogether I tin give the sack thoroughly recommend this place. tel 077-820177, 086-906-0900, 086-168 7908, Google for the website.
Taking it like shooting fish in a barrel on a Sawasdee bale.Ao Laetawan
The path across the depression saddle from southern Ao Yai is solely nearly 400m long. Laetawan is perfect for someone wanting an fifty-fifty to a greater extent than set dorsum location than Yai itself. There are 3 bungalow operations hither including good regarded Mama's which has relocated from Ao Siad/Ao Lek inwards the islands south.
About two-thirds of Ao Laetawan. Nice plenty beach, H2O seemed non likewise shallow at depression tide. The trekking path to the due south leaves the far terminate of the beach as well as moves higher upwards the rocks for a brusk distance out of frame.Ao Siad/Ao Lek
This is the southern beach expanse facing Ko Phayam - fifty-fifty to a greater extent than relaxed than Ao Laetawan. Some maps, websites etc telephone telephone it Siad, others Lek. There are 3 or 4 places to stay, but when I visited inwards March '11 a few places mentioned inwards my enquiry had closed downwards as well as at that spot was i novel joint. Long running Ao Lek Bungalows as well as Tommy's Garden were silent going strong.
Access is dissimilar - most people learn dropped off from the Phayam ferry - as well as yous tin give the sack also come upwards downwards from Ao Yai on Ko Chang Bungalow's morn boat to Phayam (make certain they know yous desire to live dropped at Ao Siad beforehand). You demand to contact your bungalow to brand certain a boat is sent out inwards both cases - the bigger ferries can't access the beach.
It is possible to walk from Ao Yai taking a much flatter route than the mount trekking track, but having done it amongst a low-cal daypack I wouldn't desire to seek the 2 hr or so walk amongst a total travellers' pack.
There are genuinely 2 beaches at Siad/Lek - let's telephone telephone them Siad 1, the longer eastern beach which extends from higher upwards the G inwards TOMMY'S GARDEN to close the terminate of the headland bottom right. And Siad 2, the pocket-size beach to the left where Tommy's Garden is located.Tommy has his ain boat whereas other places seem to utilization a pocket-size local boat contracted past times the ferry company.
I modified this oblique Google globe epitome which mightiness live clearer if yous click to enlarge. You tin give the sack consider where the mount trekking runway leaves the master copy path to the hamlet at centre-top of epitome as well as where it leaves the pocket-size beach at Ao Kai Tao top-left.
Siad 1 is over a km long amongst a few interruptions past times depression fingers of rock. There is some other 400m or so behind camera. Beach is non upwards to the touchstone of Ao Yai, but the chill component makes upwards for this. Ao Lek Bungalows is on a depression loma at nowadays behind the sand inwards the expanse of the camera.
Green Banana beach bar - this identify was behind the photographic telly camera on the previous shot.
Siad 2 is a nicer beach than its eastern neighbor - looks a chip moisture hither inwards this depression tide shot but that's non the affect of high tide - rather of heavy overnight rain. The runway inwards dorsum of Siad 1 continues some other five minutes behind a pocket-size headland as well as so drops downwards to Tommy's Garden, the solely identify on Siad 2. BTW, H2O deep plenty for a practiced swim reasonably closed to beach depression tide.I've wanted to rest at Ao Siad/Lek always since my commencement see to neighbouring Ko Phayam when I saw a few people jumping off the ferry into a pocket-size boat to access this remote spot. So on my latest see to Phayam I got the daughter inwards the minimart close the Phayam pier to telephone Tommy's Garden to so I could live picked upwards mid bay off the ferry. The people at Tommy's mixed the message as well as idea I was coming inwards off the ferry from Ranong - fortunately a dude going to Ao Lek Bungalows was on my ferry, so I hooked a elevator inwards the tiny boat other bungalows utilization to run into the ferry as well as walked across to Tommy's.
Tommy's Garden is the solely identify on this pocket-size beach. That's the beachfront eating theatre standing out. There are nearly one-half a dozen beachside bungalows mainly to the left at 300b when I visited inwards March '11 as well as some other 4 or five 250b huts on the hillside behind. The beachside jobs are inwards a reasonable garden setting - the hillside is to a greater extent than natural bushland. Place seems popular, running at nearly 80% when I visited, which was to a greater extent than shoulder flavour than high.
View from eating theatre of Tommy's Garden across to Ko Phayam. Food hither pretty good, seemed nearly average toll wise for budget bungalows. Friendly quick service.
My 250b hillside bungalow at Tommy's Garden. This was a real basic old-style backpackers' thatch walled bungalow. Bit squeezy for 2 people as well as their gear, real sparse double mattress as against common manly somebody monarch or queen, cyberspace non inwards practiced repair, squat toilet, no basin, byo john newspaper as well as towel, no external door lock. Big deck amongst tree filtered sea views. Paths a chip dodgy amongst some areas needing a torch at nighttime as well as i H2O pipage trip-booby trap. My commencement idea was this articulation didn't concord a candle to my 250b bungalow at Cashew on Ao Yai before inwards the week. Perspective needed - yous don't learn likewise many 250b bungalows inwards the Andaman away from depression flavour these days - as well as so on that footing Tommy's hillside chore was okay. Thing is I didn't motility to a meliorate seaside bungalow when I got the take away a opportunity later.
Tommy heads dorsum domicile after dropping me off at the Phayam to Ranong ferry.The Northern Beaches
Probably to a greater extent than accurately the north-western beaches.
North of Ao Yai is a stretch of mount backed coastline which contains 3 overnice niggling bays, each amongst its ain bungalow place. The beaches hither seemed pretty okay when our ferry called inwards to drib off guests as well as provisions from Ranong.
This is Hornbill Bungalow's beach. Others at Contex as well as Sea Eagle were similar. I recall Rasta Baby shares i of these beaches. Sapaan Hin
Sapaan Hin from the passing Phayam ferry - mightiness live worth clicking epitome to expand. Sapaan Hin Resort is behind the pocket-size rocky department mid shot amongst 2 pocket-size beach areas each side. In 2006 I trekked across hither on a runway which comes over the loma behind from the Ao Siad-village path - the resort was real set back. But it seemed closed inwards 2011. I haven't whatever 2006 pix because they were the days when I used to go existent light.TREKKING KO CHANG
You tin give the sack silent likely do the walk to Sapaan Hin, but latest see I didn't notice the signposts off the master copy runway that existed inwards 2006.
The mountain-rainforest walk from Aos Yai/Laetawan to Lek Bay close Ao Lek/Siad via the national green rangers' beach at Ao Kai Tao is the biggy as well as the best - consider the 2d Google globe epitome map higher upwards for the route.
The runway leaves the inland terminate of Ao Laetawan higher upwards the rocks - human face for the plastic H2O bottle markers on trees. It runs higher upwards the rocks for a brusk distance as well as so turns sharply uphill. From at that spot it undulates through thick wood to Ao Kai Tao.
From within the picnic shelter at Ao Kai Tao. My trekking companion told me at that spot is oftentimes a green ranger stationed here, but non when nosotros passed thru. Some trekkers heading the other way said they met some enthusiastic farangs pushing dope here. We didn't consider them either.Look inland-south a chip from this shelter for a span which takes the runway farther south. It climbs across the saddle as well as so drops thru real practiced rainforest to run into the master copy hamlet to Ao Siad/Lek path nearly five minutes away from those beaches. If yous are walking the other way the right-angle plow was marked past times to a greater extent than bottles on the scrub.
In all it volition accept xc to 120 minutes to do this walk. Mostly practiced rainforest, no killer uphills heading south, but if yous are heading due north yous volition abide by the lastly 10 or xv minutes going upwards to the commencement saddle a practiced workout.
You don't receive got to retrace your steps to learn dorsum to Ao Yai/Laetawan - but caput due north upwards the path to the hamlet (about an hour) as well as so plow left (west) downwards the concrete path xx minutes or so to Ao Yai.
Village to Ao Siad/Lek walk.
This is a overnice flatish walk downwards the island, the commencement km or so is concrete, giving way to a dirt path. Distance is nearly 5km as well as volition accept perchance lxxx minutes. Near Ao Said 1 the runway veers right. Takes some other 10-15 minutes to learn across to Ao Siad 2 as well as Tommy's Garden.
My trekking companion commented on how the creek crossings were at nowadays bridged much meliorate than previous years.
A span of unexpected bungalow places along this path. Chilli Garden higher upwards was nearly 2km due south of the hamlet inwards the middle of nowhere - a novel identify run past times an enthusiastic Scot who rushed out as well as earbashed us nearly his rather impressive garden expanse - he was a landscape gardener dorsum home. I'm non certain how travellers are supposed to access this place, but he didn't seemed to live concerned. He had a overnice eating theatre as well as some as attractive bungalows behind almost finished.Further due south where the path commencement hits Lek Bay was a similar newish articulation run past times a immature local amongst colourful bungalows. At to the lowest degree he has a pier out thru the mangroves. But this is silent xx minutes from the nearest okay beach - Ao Siad 1.
And farther due south i time to a greater extent than where the path turns correct towards the beaches is a newish bar restaurant, i time once to a greater extent than inwards the middle of nowhere.
Ao Yai to Village walk - this would live done past times most visitors. The concrete path runs from the temple expanse precisely due north of the pocket-size creek estuary approx primal beach, turns inland at the estuary as well as makes its way eastward to the village. Less than 2km. Slight uphill sections along hither - no effort.
Concrete path Ao Yai to village. Main isle manufacture is either prophylactic trees pictured or cashew trees.About 500m from the beach is a pocket-size store as well as eating theatre on the correct - a runway leads off hither as well as goes downwards to southern Ao Yai - The Bakery amongst yummy fresh baked materials sits all past times itself a few hundred meters along this side runway from the turn.
Back on the left (north) side of master copy concrete path a chip closer to town is a real practiced eating theatre run past times 2 Swiss expats - first-class inexpensive nutrient tends to attact a practiced crowd.
The hamlet is a cluster of nearly a dozen houses as well as a span of shops at the intersection of the eastward westward as well as due north due south concrete paths. The inevitable schoolhouse is out of town some other 400m or so eastward past times which the path peters out at a mangrove inlet.Above is the busiest hamlet store which was doing a roaring merchandise when nosotros called inwards on our circular Siad-Laetawan-Yai-village-Siad trek, but perchance because cockfights were precisely finishing inwards a nearby dorsum yard.
The pocket-size size of the hamlet is downwards to the fact that the isle has solely a few hundred residents, quite a few of whom alive inwards rural homesteads. There seems to live no local songthaew (I solely saw 2 4 wheeled vehicles on my wanderings around the island) as well as no motorcycle-taxis. The locals either walk or utilization their ain motorcycles or a few bicycles.
Trek to the northern beaches.
I started out heading that way, but the diverse paths which seemed to live inwards the correct management (the due north of the isle is criss-crossed amongst paths) were non sign-posted, as well as I ended upwards at the due north eastward pier. Nothing outstanding along that route, I missed the Burmese as well as Thai villages inwards the due north eastward Lisa Jennings mentions inwards her trip study below.
To learn to the northern beaches requires a major climb as well as drib which could involve some outstanding views - i route I'll receive got to learn practiced directions for on my following visit.
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This isle is the perfect identify to relax, wander the beach, swim, Sun or shade it out or accept a hike along the trails through the forest, cashew as well as prophylactic tree plantations. I did consider some signs for diving as well as snorkeling trips to the Burma islands as well as the Surin Isands. You tin give the sack hire motorcycles as well as mount bikes.
This is non a practiced snorkelling island. I did receive got a human face along the headlands both ends of Ao Yai as well as saw the common fishies as well as a chip of fringing coral but visibility was solely fair as well as could live worse early on inwards the tourist flavour when the run-off from the nearby large river betwixt Thailand as well as Burma is high.
OPEN WET SEASON?
From what I understand, most places closed down. The Ranong expanse is equal wettest inwards Thailand along amongst the Trat area. Ao Yai would live exposed to the westerlies except perchance at the southern end. I did read somewhere that Cashew stays open, but similar a dill forgot to confirm this when I stayed at that spot latest trip.
From the personalities dot of persuasion I was struck past times the lack of gap twelvemonth daughter as well as lager lout types. What nosotros had hither were immature couples, families as well as a few other younger travelers mainly Euro inwards origin, specially German. Aint it interesting how the Germans flock to the to a greater extent than out of the way places? Plus to a greater extent than than the common let out of older long fourth dimension traveller types - amongst a novel visa a relatively uncomplicated 2 long tail trips away, yous tin give the sack consider the attraction.
UPDATE - latest trip also saw an enthusiastic bunch of older Euro retirees at Cashew - plainly they pass the worst 2-4 months of their homelands' winters on niggling Chang. Not stupid.
For divers Aladdin Dive Cruise runs boats to the Surins as well as Similans as well as does teaching - Google website.
GETTING TO LITTLE KO CHANG
Ferries.
FROM RANONG
- The Ao Yai service leaves around ix inwards the morn as well as 2-3 inwards the afternoon from the Saphan Plaa pier. Times tin give the sack vary a chip depending on tides which tin give the sack learn out the ferries high as well as dry out at dead depression tide. One poster said he got a fairky belatedly omnibus into Ranong as well as silent managed to learn the ferry which didn't depart until after 4pm that day.
- There is also a populace ferry goes to the north-east pier around mid-day, but this is a long way from the tourist beaches as well as I haven't seen whatever motorbike taxis etc on niggling Chang.
- You volition demand the Ko Phayam ferry from the same Ranong pier for Ao Siad/Lek inwards the due south of Chang. Times are about the same. I asked if the Phayam speedboat volition drib people off on southern Chang - plainly not.
FROM PHAYAM
- grab a returning Ranong boundary ferry to learn off inwards the bay following Ao Siad/Lek. Remember to accommodate amongst your bungalow to pick yous up.
Heading to Ao Yai on the Ranong-Chang ferry.- Phayan to Ao Yai. Ko Chang Resort runs a ferry downwards to Ko Phayam at around 9am returning approx 4pm. This is a bang-up cope easier than having to render to Ranong as well as swap ferries as I did dorsum inwards '06.
GETTING TO RANONG
Flights
Google Ranong Air for daily flights from Bangkok as well as Phuket.
UPDATE early DEC 2011 - seems Ranong Air is out of action. However Happy Air is running Mondays, Wednesdays as well as Fridays from Bangkok.
UPDATE OF UPDATE (crikey!!) - from December fourteen 2011 Ranong Air is running i time to a greater extent than Wednesdays, Fridays as well as Sundays.
Buses
FROM BANGKOK - at that spot are quite a few services from the Southern Bus Station to or thru Ranong. The trip is nearly 10-11 hours. There is an overnighter leaving around 8pm which according to people makes Ranong inwards fourth dimension for the morn ferry.
FROM PHUKET - daytime buses run about hourly. five to half dozen hours.
FROM SAMUI/PHANGAN/TAO - at that spot are buses as well as minibuses run across to Ranong from Surathani as well as Chumpon. Note Chumpon omnibus station is nearly 5km out of town which makes the minibuses to a greater extent than convenient.
FROM KRABI AND PHANG NGA - at that spot are a few straight buses to Ranong from Krabi omnibus station. These tend to telephone telephone inwards at Phang Nga. If the timing is bad yous tin give the sack learn to a greater extent than frequent services to Takua Pa as well as alter for Ranong.
FROM RANONG BUS STATION TO SAPHAN PLAA PIER
This is nearly 5km. I paid seventy baht inwards the contrary management inwards March '11 for a motorbike taxi - no dubiety way likewise much but I was inwards a hurry to brand a local cherry rattler to Kuraburi for the Surin islands.
I read a website post early on 2011 from a traveller managed to cope a taxi downwards to seventy for her identify unit of measurement from the omnibus station to the pier. Seems pretty practiced to me.
I receive got twice used Kiwi Guesthouse's SUV shuttle which takes guests downwards to the ferries inwards the morn for 100 each. Kiwi is at the terminate of the northern-most of the 3 broad lanes that sew together to the omnibus station from the master copy route - its rooms are non bang-up as well as overpriced but I receive got used it twice after arriving on a omnibus from Phuket around 11pm - couldn't live bothered looking for a articulation uptown that late. The lady who runs the articulation is real efficient - knows the best deals on the isle as well as tin give the sack 'phone for vacancies as well as majority yous in. She seems to learn practiced prices.
Note the Ranong minibus station is inwards some other role of town, farther from the pier although I reckon the 70baht motorbike taxi fare would silent easily work.
There is a songthaew starts from town primal as well as runs along the master copy route close the pier - but negotiating the zig zag backstreets to the pier is a chip of a force a fast i on on foot.
TRIP REPORT FROM FEBRUARY 08.
Lisa Jennings was on the same Similan Islands live-aboard snorkelling trip I did inwards belatedly Jan 08. She wanted a overnice as well as non-touristy isle on the way dorsum to Bangkok. Little Chang fits the neb on all 3 counts. This is what she emailed me:
"I visited Ko Chang inwards January, 2008. It's definitely silent i of the to a greater extent than set dorsum islands inwards Thailand. It certain doesn't receive got that touristy experience yous learn on the other Andaman islands, as well as the bungalows are rustic as well as cheap. Most are 200 baht, amongst some nicer ones amongst large porches correct at the border of the bounding main for 400 baht.
This isle is super friendly during the high season, as well as bang-up for solo travellers! The travellers as well as thais I met hither were real sociable. Ko Change seemed to attract a dissimilar type of traveller, as well as a few people I met had spent several weeks on this island.
There are walking trails all over the island, some paved, some pretty adventurous. Don't immature lady the Burmese as well as Thai villages on the northeast coast. Take the trail along the westward side of the isle to learn to the villages, don't become through the mangroves similar I did. :-) Watch for the hornbill birds - large as well as genuinely cool to see. H5N1 few people said they had seen large snakes, but I never saw one.
I met a identify unit of measurement inwards the thai hamlet that invited me into thier i room hut. The manly somebody bring upwards climbed upwards the kokosnoot tree, barefoot, as well as twisted off a kokosnoot for me. He hacked off the top as well as I sat at that spot trying to beak amongst them for a span hours, drinking the kokosnoot milk. As I left, he wanted to give me the amulet around his neck, although I prostested. He insisted, so I gave them my hat. Such nice, friendly people on Ko Chang.
There were many practiced places to swallow at the dissimilar bungalows on Ko Chang. Full satelite as well as Hornbill were my favorites, as well as I tried to sample most of the bungalow's cooking. There is an first-class bakery that is a niggling difficult to abide by the commencement time. Take the inland trail close Golden Bee. Brownies, muffins, fresh whole grain bread, omelettes, all that materials yous crave when you've been inwards Thailand a long time! Run past times a super overnice australian guy as well as his super gracious thai wife. The beaches are pretty overnice on Ko Change, the accomodations are rustic, it's placidity as well as the nightlife is pretty much non-existent. It mightiness receive got been my favorite isle inwards Thailand."
Thanks Lisa. Below are a span of shots she sent me.
Nice shot dorsum towards the mainland from i of the tracks inwards the due north of the island.This is role of AO YAI beach looking due south - Sawasdee Bungalows is behind that department of rocks inwards the background as well as AO DA DENG, the sunset beach, is thru the depression saddle expanse farther back.----------------------------------------------
If yous see niggling Chang yous mightiness also live interested inwards nearby:
KO PHAYAM
SURIN ISLANDS
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