Welcome to the Green Season!

Many people think that the Green Season (end of May until October) is just all about rain. Actually, for the most part, the weather is hotter and less humid than the rest of the year.

Normally we will experience 2 storms of between 2-3 weeks at the beginning and end of the season, some of which can be heavy downpours and some of which can be raining for a few hours in the night. The rest of the time is hot and calm.

We are enjoying that weather (hot and calm) right now and this has soothed the seas and is making for some beautiful snorkelling and diving. Only yesterday, we had 2 of our guests go out and they saw; a pod of dolphins, Leopard sharks, Turtles and Cuttlefish. 'It was spectacular,' they said and 'we never thought that we could see that much whilst snorkelling.'

And of course the real wonder of Green Season....... the rooms are exceptionally cheap!

So what are you waiting for?

A Real Community

Ever had one of those days? One of those days that totally restores your faith in the world? Yesterday, for me, was just that.

Early yesterday morning reports started to appear on the Koh Lanta Locals Facebook page of a huge amount of rubbish appearing on all the beaches. Now this is not uncommon, as the season changes, the water movements and the wind changes push a lot of rubbish from the seas onto our beaches. It happens every year and people on the island try to clear up as much as possible, before the end of the season, to prevent it going back into the sea and to make our beaches look as pretty as possible.

But these reports were more urgent, more pleads for help and the rubbish being washed up, was all the same, squid in polystyrene packets!

It seems the storm we had had in the past week had sunk a cargo ship from Myanmar carrying a large container of squid. It appears the container had opened and all the contents were washing up on ALL our beaches!

We are not talking about 20 packets, not 100 or even a 1000, there were too many to mention and they smelt bad! Really Bad.

The community started to kick in, with folks at Klong Kong Beach (Isara Resort, The Greek Restaurant and many others) cleaning the beach. They collected so much they needed a truck to carry it away, to which I volunteered (well Nick volunteered me!). We only picked up about 15 of the bags, as the crew had managed to moved some already and I could understand why! Oh the smell!

On Klong Dao Beach, Coffee Asylum, has raised the red flag and the clean up was happening.

On Long Beach (Phrae Ae) many had already started clean ups, and I went to help. When I got there I was shocked, because it was the first time I had seen how many packs were littering the beaches, and the clean up had already been going on for some time.

But everyone pulled together, Thais, expats and just holiday makers. This wasn't one persons problem, it was OUR problem. Many resorts (Clazy House, Kulraya Villas, Mook Lanta,  Soontreeya, Blue Cafe), Dive Centres (Palm Beach, Andaman Dive Adventures), Bar Owners (Irish Embasssy, Blue Cafe, Pangea), Dive Instructors, Business Owners, concerned Thai Families and many more took part. It was an amazing job and all of you (apologies if I have not mentioned your business) deserve a pat on the back and a well earned beer for a fabulous job.

The beaches looked beautiful again when we left, lets hope they stay that way!

Happy Birthday Nick!

Today is Nick's Birthday, so our lovely staff got Nick a superb birthday cake decorated in his favourite football clubs colours (Liverpool). Thank you for Gin for organising it, Neng for getting it, Pi Deng for Lighting the candles and for Sao, Kai 1, Kai 2 and Ya for making the day special.

Off to Red Snapper tonight to enjoy some superb food on their reopening night.

Wow Well Done Elliot

Well the Weir family came for a holiday, on one of the worst weather weeks this year. Elliot had a school project to make a short promotional video and he did it of us!!!

Despite the rubbish weather, he found some sunshine and got over the beauty of Lanta at all times of the year. Think some of my videographer friends might be looking to hire him next high season (but he is only 14 years old)!


Thank you so much Elliot for all your hard work.

Mellisa & Nick

Red Snapper is Opening again!

Red Snapper, one of our most favourite restaurants on the island is opening up again, after the owners, Joyce and Ed have taken a much needed break.

Red Snapper is set in beautiful gardens and offers a delicious menu comprised of excellent ingredients, ingeniously prepared to a high standard.

It is our 'go to' restaurant for any celebration, and best of all, it is 50 metres from the resort!

Menu

The Bread Section

Homemade bread with Aioli and Kalamata Olives

Homemade bread with Kalamata Olives and Olive Oil

Hot and Spicy Quesadilla

Tomato Pesto Salad and Smoked Salmon Bruschetta

Tomato Pesto  Salad and Parma Ham Bruschetta

From the Slicer

Parma Ham

Salami Napoli

Chorizo

 Fried Chorizo with Garlic and Brandy

For the Meatlovers

Sweet Chili Meatballs with Basil Tomato Aioli

Chicken Kebab with a Walnut Yoghurt Sauce

Indian Lamb Curry with Grilled Roti Parathi

Small Carpaccio 

For the Fishlovers

Smoked Salmon Roll with Wakame Seaweed & Wasabi Dressing

Fried Salmon with Salsa Verde and Beetroot Salad

Mussels in a Creamy Chorizo Sauce

Fried Prawns with Aioli

It's all Cheese

Marinated Feta

Gruyere

Gorgonzola

Talleggo

Brie

Goat's Cheese

Cheese Platter

Cheese Platter De Luxe

Cranberry and Figs Compote

100% Vegetarian

Tortilla de Patatas

Marinated Green Olives a la Casa

Pumpkin Lentil Curry with Roti Parathi

Cheese Jalapeno Croquettes with Tomato Salsa

 Grilled Asparagus with Mushrooms with Mushroom Ketchup and Red Onion Puree

Hot Liquids

Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Soup with Almonds

Fragrant Coconut Soup with Mussels  and Smoked Salmon Coriander Cream

Both served with Homemade Bread

Absolute Beginners

Beef Carpaccio with Balsamic Dressing and Parmesan Cheese

Cold Cuts Platter, with Homemade Bread, Feta, Olives and Sundried Tomatoes

Light and Green

A Multi Coloured Green Salad with Herbs, Sundried Tomatoes, Olives and Balsamic Dressing

Sweet and Savory Goat Cheese Salad with Mango, Coconut Chips and Spicy Mango Dressing

Not your ordinary Feta Salad, with pickled Cherry Tomatoes and a Smokey Paprika Dressing

Delicious Mains

A Whole Lot of Garlic Prawns with a Spicy Sundried Tomato Basil Aioli

Pan Fried Tasmanian Salmon Fillet with a slightly Smoked Tangy Tomato Goji Berry Salsa, Orange Mustard Sauce and Kalamata Olives

The Red Snapper Snapper Fillet with Pumpkin Lentil Curry and Coconut Lime Cream

Red Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Fried Chorizo, Jalapeno Cream Cheese and Coriander Dressing

Sesame Crusted Duck Breast with Mango Bulgogi and Kimchi Style Cucumber

Za'atar Spiced Crispy Skinned Chicken Fillet with Avocado Hummus and Sumas Miso Salad

A Big and Juicy Beed Tenderloin Steak with Mushroom Ketchup, Red Onion Puree, Mushrooms, Parma Ham Crisps and Red Wine Jus

 

Feeling Hungry?  

They open on 9th July 2015 and then everyday, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5pm.

It is Nick's Birthday on the 9th July, so I know where we will be heading!