Mar 26, 2009 - Khao Lak

We found what we thought was a bargain, it looked like a cute little bamboo hut from the outside and looked ok on the inside, really cheap.We found what we thought was a bargain, it looked like a cute little bamboo hut from the outside and looked ok on the inside, really cheap....

Feb 18, 2009 - Khao Lak

Arrived into Phuket airport and caught a taxi to the highway to wait for a public bus up to Khao Lak. ... Chu, on his way back to Khao Lak from the airport stopped and offered us a ride there for a bargain price. ... Very interesting 1+ hour journey learning about his life in Khao Lak - he is not only a tour guide, but also owns an ice cream shop and is the regional meteorologist. ... Came to Khao Lak as the jumping off point for the country's best diving in the nearby Surin and Similan Islands Marine National Parks. ...

Feb 14, 2007 - En Route to Khao Lak

It's either the effects of the sun, or from hearing the miscreant mispronounce famous Thai dishes, but I'm not feeling 100% this morning. So yes, there's time to grab something, but my only concern is catching the additional bus to Khao Lak (a small town 2. ... Just before 3PM, the bus drops us off in the centre of Khao Lak. ... The town consists of the main highway being bordered by jungle to the east and the ocean to the west.It's either the effects of the sun, or from hearing the miscreant mispronounce famous Thai dishes, but I'm not feeling 100% this morning. So yes, there's time to grab something, but my only concern is catching the additional bus to Khao Lak (a small town 2. ... Just before 3PM, the bus drops us off in the centre of Khao Lak. ... The town consists of the main highway being bordered by jungle to the east and the ocean to the west....

Jan 8, 2007 - Day 117 - To Khao Lak and the Similans

After another morning of rubbish internet connections, we gave up on updating the site for a while. We were picked up and taken to Khao Lak for our diving adventure in the Similans. ... Once on the boat we had a detailed briefing and were shown our cabins before dinner and bed.After another morning of rubbish internet connections, we gave up on updating the site for a while. We were picked up and taken to Khao Lak for our diving adventure in the Similans. ... Once on the boat we had a detailed briefing and were shown our cabins before dinner and bed....

Apr 22, 2006 - Khaolak again

So last night we tried to go out in exciting downtown Koh Lak.So last night we tried to go out in exciting downtown Koh Lak....

Apr 13, 2006 - Elephant Nature Park

Anja tried to hand the elephant a bunch of bananas, but his trunk carefully waved them off as if he was not really hungry. The elephant camp was our last activity in Chiang Mai, we left this wonderful, peaceful place a bit sad at heart to go to Phuket and further up North to Khao Lak. ... You will hear much more about this paradice in our next letter.Anja tried to hand the elephant a bunch of bananas, but his trunk carefully waved them off as if he was not really hungry. The elephant camp was our last activity in Chiang Mai, we left this wonderful, peaceful place a bit sad at heart to go to Phuket and further up North to Khao Lak. ... You will hear much more about this paradice in our next letter....

Feb 28, 2006 - 24th, 25th Khao Lak

Arrived late last night in Khao Lak, hired a motor bike today and toured all around. ... The Tsunami has really hit hard here, only 5 resorts up and running out of a probable 150-200.Arrived late last night in Khao Lak, hired a motor bike today and toured all around. ... The Tsunami has really hit hard here, only 5 resorts up and running out of a probable 150-200....

Feb 24, 2006 - Thailand - Khoa Lak

The diving overall was very good but after four days of not sleeping so well in our shoe box and being up very early every day to do the first dive we were fairly pleased to be back in Khao Lak at 4pm and decided to splash out a bit and have luxury accommodation (well 3* at 20GBP per night with a duvet and soft pillows and everything!) for a couple of nights before heading off again, this time to Phuket. ...

Feb 20, 2006 - Thailand - Khao Lak

Khao Lak was a complete whirlwind, after an already very long and stressful day. ... That morning we did the border crossing into Burma, 10minutes spare to shower and pack again before a 3 1/2 hour bus to Khao Lak. ... We arrived at 4pm and by 6pm we were getting kitted out with scuba equipment for a 4D/4N live aboard trip we were to leave for straight away.Khao Lak was a complete whirlwind, after an already very long and stressful day. ... That morning we did the border crossing into Burma, 10minutes spare to shower and pack again before a 3 1/2 hour bus to Khao Lak. ... We arrived at 4pm and by 6pm we were getting kitted out with scuba equipment for a 4D/4N live aboard trip we were to leave for straight away....

Feb 15, 2006 - Khao Lak 14 month after...

A couple of years ago, the pristine beaches of Khao Lak were a well-kept secret amongst travellers. ... One reason, why since December 26th, Khao Lak for many people around the world, is synommynous for the biggest natural catastrophy in the last 20 years. ... 3000 of the roughly 6000 victims in Thailand died along this stretch of sand - beach, huts, resorts, shops and trees were literally swept away by a wave which at points reaches a hight of 17 meters! Khao Lak still can be associated with tourism, although far less people tend to stay there now. ... It still is a major centre for diving, as directly out at sea from Khao Lak, there are some of the best dive-spots of this planet to be found - and thus many travellers go there to board their boat for a dive-safari, taking them out to the Similan Islands, the islands of Koh Tachai and Koh Bon and the famous Riechelieu Rock. ... So did I - and although, I had been looking forward to this adventure, it felt weird to go to Khao Lak - a place, I mainly knew from horrible stories, people told me, who I counseled as part of my work in Berlin, shortly after it all happened. ...

Jan 23, 2006 - Southern Thailand and Ayutthaya

Our friend Danny said that the Similan Islands, off the west coast of southern Thailand, near the world-famous beaches and resorts of Phuket, is supposed to be spectacular and wonderful, so with his cajoling we signed up for a 3day live-aboard trip. --------- The trip was run by a company in Khao Lak, which was one of the areas hit hardest by the tsunami. ... In all 5500 people in the tiny town of Khao Lak died, and most houses and businesses were ruined. ... And to make it all worse, they told us that none of the huge amount of money donated from all over the world, has made it to any of the people who actually live and work there.Our friend Danny said that the Similan Islands, off the west coast of southern Thailand, near the world-famous beaches and resorts of Phuket, is supposed to be spectacular and wonderful, so with his cajoling we signed up for a 3day live-aboard trip. --------- The trip was run by a company in Khao Lak, which was one of the areas hit hardest by the tsunami. ... In all 5500 people in the tiny town of Khao Lak died, and most houses and businesses were ruined. ... And to make it all worse, they told us that none of the huge amount of money donated from all over the world, has made it to any of the people who actually live and work there....

Dec 13, 2005 - Khao Lak (Day 1, Meeting the Kids)

Sa wat dee krap! We arrived in KL and were whisked off to the school to present some of the sports day trophies from a local community meet. Khao Lak is still very much in the middle of rebuilding. ... The people are kind and thoughtful and each one of them has an amazing story to tell.Sa wat dee krap! We arrived in KL and were whisked off to the school to present some of the sports day trophies from a local community meet. Khao Lak is still very much in the middle of rebuilding. ... The people are kind and thoughtful and each one of them has an amazing story to tell....