Beaches, Bangkok and Homeward Bound

We had 2 weeks perfecting being beach bums on the island of Koh Lanta in Southern Thailand. Life is tough.  

The Andaman Sea at Long Beach Koh Lanta. The water here is unbelievably warm and satiny. To say we swam is misleading - it is more about bobbing in the buoyant sea.  Very therapeutic!

Breakfast smoothies to start the day. 

Sunset watching is an evening tradition on Koh Lanta. 

The bungalow we stayed in for the first 5 days was a short 5 minute stroll to the beach. 

Next beach stop was Klong Nin on the south end of the island.   Sunset warching is de rigour here as well. 

We preferred Long Beach in the north for swimming/bobbing but this beach bar was easily the best we found anywhere on our travels.  Happy hour ran from 5 - 8.   The margaritas were excellent and the staff were lovely and genuinely happy to see you.   

 Old Town Lanta - it wasn't all about the beach during our time on the island but darned close.  This town doesn't see as many tourists as it doesn't have a beach.   It was charming and had a great little local musuem which made for a great break from the beach. 

 We didn't see many exotic birds but this little guy was singing loudly in Old Town Lanta 

 We headed back to Long Beach and stayed here for our last days on the island. Sleep, eat, bob in the water, read, bob some more, have a smoothie, bob again, escape to the comfort of the AC room, have an evening stroll to catch the sunset and find some dinner.  Repeat.  The days slipped by with ease. 

And there were sunsets to admire. 

And a full moon to gaze at on 21 April.  

After leaving Koh Lanta we had a night in Krabi Town before carching a flight to Bangkok. They have to have the most bizarre traffic light holders ever!   Turns out it is to honour  'primitive man' and the prehistoric remains that were found in nearby caves that date back 27,000 years. Thank you Mr. Google for the info.

Bangkok - Wat Phu  - another beautiful Wat with stunnng features everywhere. 

The large reclining Buddha at Wat Phu

 Thai Teak Home of Jim Thompson, an American who revived the Thai silk cottage industry in the 50’s and early 60’s and also collected and restored teak homes.  He mysteriously disappeared in '65 while on holiday in Malaysia.   He's revered in Bangkok and his homes have been turned into a musuem.  

Silk cocoons being boiled and spun.  

And spun into silk thread. 

Thais have a knack for creating beautiful floral displays 

The  Chao Phraya river that runs through Bangkok is a very busy waterway and longboat ferries are a great way to get around the city. 

One of many Bangkok lanes offering up street food

We spent an afternoon in the Bangkok National Musuem. The collection of Buddhas was very impressive and for some reason this place doesn't attract many tourists.  Added bonus was it was air conditioned.  Did I mention the daily temperatures exceed 40??  

Wheel detail of the Royal Funeral Chariot.  

The famous long fingers of the Thai dancers featured on one of musuem roofs. 

A group of young monks arrive at the musuem for a history lesson. 

Our last meal ended with an orchid floating in a finger bowl of lemongrass scented water. Our bags are packed and we are ready for the flight home tomorrow.  We are really looking forward to catching up with family and friends and doing our own cooking.  It has been an amazing 5 months of exploring 

5 countries but there's no place like home. 

Orchids flourish in this climate and I will forever think of Thailand anytime I see one.