From Ko Tao, the next stop on most backpackers’ itineraries is either Phuket or Ko Phi Phi. I too was initially drawn to the hype, though after a more careful investigation, I realized that I would rather bypass the crowds and head for Ko Lanta. Most people will arrive on Ko Lanta in a small, dusty town called Sala Dan in the northern corner, though the island is very flat and easily seen via motorbike. Believe it or not, I have never ridden on a motorbike and I am pretty terrified to try. Since everyone uses them and they only cost about $8 a day to rent, I may try it, but not if the roads are crowded. Because the high season ends in March and I will be arriving in late April, I think I will miss most of the crowds, so maybe motorbiking will seem like a better idea once I arrive.
The island has a ton of beaches and each offers something different. This is not an island where you will find 18 year old babies drinking vodka out of a bucket, so if you are looking for that experience, Phi Phi is probably a better fit. The beach that I have read the most praise about is Nui Bay Beach. It is a bit of a hike to reach it apparently, but the views and the tranquility seem to be worth the effort.
Ko Lanta is actually an archipeligo and you can visit some of the more remote islands by hiring a longtail boat from the pier in Lanta’s Old Town. Most of these islands are uninhabited and would satisfy to my need for the off the beaten path experience. Though the main island is developed enough to satisfy my need for reliable wifi and a variety of food choices, its the small, uninhabited islands that really draw me to Ko Lanta. There is just something about a place that very few others have ever seen that intrigues me. I mean, I am from Seattle so I guess the hipster in me is showing.
