West Coast Thailand Beaches

From my two days of roughing it in Khao Sok, I head to the west coast of Thailand for more fun in the sun. It was originally my intention to head to Railey, but I get talked out of that and into going to Ao Nang as it's cheaper.

Coming to Ao Nang is a whole new experience from Ko Tao and Ko Phangan. The downtown looks very new, and much of it has been rebuilt since the tsunami. There is McDonalds, Starbucks, and Burger King amongst other Western additions.

Ao Nang has many activities to offer, and I take advantage of these and do many things I was planning on doing in Chaing Mai before I got sick.

My first full day I went on a kayaking trip, which was a great day. I had only signed up for the half day, but since everyone else signed up for the full day, they allowed me to do the full day at no extra charge!

They put me in a boat with Eric from Finland, who has never kayaked before. This makes things a bit dicey, as they put him in the back and he knows nothing about steering. I do my best to steer without saying anything, but then after about 20 minutes I casually mention that usually it's the responsibility of the person in the back to steer. I give him a few pointers, and after about 20 minutes he's into the swing of things.

The kayaking is beautiful as we go through mangrove forests and feed monkeys. We come back for a late lunch on the peer and then we're supposed to go swimming in a fresh water pool. We get to the pool which is a very small pond filled with still water. At first I think there must be a mistake, but our guide encourages us all to get out. I immediately recall Doug's expression in Nepal and his comments on how his pristine bathing suit was not going in the hot springs. After we all sort of stare at the water for 5 minutes, it becomes clear to the guide none of us are getting in this and he takes us all home.

The next morning I take the boat to Railey which is certainly a more beautiful beach than Ao Nang, although much smaller and far more crowded. Thai people swarm the farang offering various souvenirs and Thai massages, so I quickly learn to look like I'm sleeping to avoid the constant harassing.

In the early afternoon I head back to Ao Nang for Ya's cooking class. I've wanted to take a Thai cooking class for a while, and Ya comes highly recommended by Lonely Planet, my lodge, and some random guy I talked to at the bar last night. And rightly so!

There are several people doing an Intrepid tour in my class as well as three other couples (two of which have taken the class before, one couple is doing their third year in a row). We start off making Pad Thai which is a fun and quick dish to make. Once we eat that, it's on to the more serious work of soups and curries. My experience here is far more successful than Laos, and everything we make is delicious, although a bit spicy.

From here I decide to head to Koh Phi Phi for diving and New Years.