Lanta Island, Thailand, 2017
Thailand: a place of wild flavors, gentle people, beautiful landscapes, and stunning oceans. Here are some photos from a Jan. 2017 scuba diving trip during the Chinese New Year where we stayed on Lanta Island, a convenient base with easy access to airports and water vessels, and blessed with beautiful beaches. Lanta Island, known locally as Ko Lanta, is in the extreme south of Thailand near Malaysia, in the Andaman Sea and not far from Phuket. A very relaxed, low-cost place to stay with easy access to great diving. We stayed at the Lanta Island Resort on the beach. Surprisingly inexpensive.
Sunsets are beautiful on Lanta Island, especially on the west side of the island where we stayed. Jan. 2017.
Another sunset view, just seconds from where we stayed on Lanta Island.
Another sunset view.
A magician of sorts entertain children with magical bubbles. A remarkable service from a kind man on Lanta Island, Jan. 2017.
A young girl experiences the magical moment when you touch a giant bubble and discover it's still there. Lanta Island, Jan. 2017.
The bubbles from the bubble magician can form bizarre shapes and capture the light in musterious ways. Lanta Island, Jan. 2017.
Even distant boats can be enchanted by the spell of the magical bubbles.
Another vessel captured and enchanted by a giant magic bubble. Sunset on Lanta Island, Jan. 2017.
More strange shapes from magical bubbles.
One final shot of the bubbles we watched at Lanta Island.
More magical bublles thrilling parents and children alike at Lanta Island, Jan. 2017.
Many restaurants and bars line the west beaches of Lanta Island, bringing in many tourists at night.
Our residence had nice private huts and a pool at Lanta Island Resort.
Our huts at Lanta Island Resort.
The tuk-tuk is a three-wheeled transportion system powered by a motorcyle. Cheap, convenient, but not very safe.
Like much of Thailand, Landta Island is still a developing region. Here are some local residences. The local people depend on tourism. Your tips will also make a difference.
Lots of great food can be found on the street or in local restaurants. Mango and sticky rice is such a wonderful treat!
A view of the "downtown" region of Lanta.
Street food includes tasty Thai pancakes.
Boats like these are common and can take you to various islands in the area. We were on a large boat for divers at the time. Jan. 2017.
Rocks and islands like this one near can have remarkable diving opportunities.
Thai food is almost always faulous, but perhaps the most memorable meal of the trip was at the Greek Taverna, El Graco, walking distance from our residence at Lanta Island Resort.
The massage will be great, or heads will roll. Seen on Khlong Dao Beach on the west side of Ko Lanta (Lanta Island), 2017.
Strange patterns in the sand made by dozens of little crabs moving sand out of their burrows. This is on what I believe is called Khlong Dao Beach on the west side of the island, not far from Lanta Island Resort and the Greek Taverna, 2017.
More strange structures in the sand, perhaps made by a worm.
A starfish wiggling its numerous ampullae to sink into the wet sand. Surprisingly fast!
The starfish shown above has, just seconds later, nearly disappeared into the sand. West side of Lanta Island.
My wife near a Buddhist statue on Lanta Island, Thailand. Jan. 2017.
Lanta Island is very popular for Scandinavians, who go there in winter to escape the impact of darkness much of the day back home. Looks like some Norwegians left a little gift in the form of this cool graffiti. Lanta Island, Jan. 2017.
Lanta Island is not heavily populated, but does have a central business district with lots of restaurants, street food, and some shopping. Prices are great.
On a stroll on the beach, west side of Lanta Island, Thailand, 2017.
A beautiful little shrine by the housing of the Lanta Island resort we stayed at. Jan. 2017.
A beautiful little shrine by the housing of the Lanta Island resort we stayed at. Jan. 2017.