Wednesday 20 January 2016

Diving and Snorkelling At its best!

Wow the diving sites are really amazing at the moment:

Hin Daeng and Hin Muang (Red Rock and Purple Rock) have had Manta Rays there yesterday, first time this season, according to Scubafish Dive Centre. This site is excellent for experienced divers.

Koh Haa has a Whaleshark which one of our guests saw whilst snorkelling on Andaman Dive Adventures boat (his friend who was diving was gutted he missed it). Koh Haa is perfect for experienced divers, new divers and snorkellers.

Koh Bida has been stunning with big schools of fish, Leopard Sharks and Turtles according to Lanta Diver. Koh Bida is perfect for experienced divers, new divers and snorkellers.

Be Safe - A tuk tuk is cheaper than an ambulance!

We have decided to produce a poster that we will produce and distribute to 100 companies on the island who rent bikes.

We would like to ensure all tourists who decide to rent a motorbike on the island received good safety advice even if the agency does not speak good English.

Many other people on the island are also offering to contribute to more being produced.

Tuesday 19 January 2016

Non-Paying Customers Not Welcome!

A couple of days ago, we discovered a squatter in one of our rooms!

A beautiful baby monitor lizard had become trapped in a bathroom. He is completely harmless to humans and was very terrified, but Yah (our handy man) managed to capture him and release him back into the gardens (we do not like to kill non dangerous animals).

Unfortunately he was liking the bungalow so much he returned again. So Yah captured him again and has released him far from the resort.

Pity he was a beauty.


Monday 18 January 2016

Please drive carefully

We mainly keep our blog for good news but today I have something very sad to report.

4 people died yesterday, one of them we had only known for a couple of hours. As far as we are aware it was not the fault of any of the deceased. 3 people were Thai and one was German, he had rented his bike at a tour agency only hours before. The police are investigating but yet again, it raises the question of renting motorbikes in Thailand.

Today, I nearly made the decision to stop renting bikes to our guests, as I have had a big accident, a friend of mine had a big accident and I have personally had to help a severely hurt man and tell him his fiance is dead. Today my husband told a mother that her 21 year old son had died.

I have decided to keep renting the bikes, because we do take your safety seriously, we ensure you understand the rules of the road here in Thailand and we try to ensure that you are able to manage the bike safely and sensibly. If I don't rent you a bike, you will probably go somewhere that will and who will not give you the same level of guidance. As with today, it does not have your be your fault, when there is an accident, there are many people on Lanta driving bikes for the first time and taxi drivers in too much of a hurry.

So here are some simple rules:

 - Always wear a helmet, yes it is nice to have the wind in your hair, but seriously!
 - Don't drink and drive, most bars are walking distance to your resort, and a tuk tuk is cheaper than an ambulance.
 - Always keep to the left, a beep from another driver is asking your to move to the left. Never stop in the middle of the road, if you need to turn right pull over to the left and wait till the road is clear to cross.
 - Avoid water in the roads here, puddles are very deep and the easiest way to have an accident or damage the bike.
 - Remember everyone else on the road probably has no idea about driving a bike and the rules of the road, so asssume everyone else is an idiot.
 - Speed is a killer, you are on holiday, chill and drive slowly
 - Finally if you are not sure if you can handle a bike, don't!

Wednesday 13 January 2016

How to Contact us ....

Call us: +66 (0) 901 707877 (24 Hours)
Email us: info@mooklanta.com
Facebook: Mook Lanta

Monday 11 January 2016

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Our new idea of asking you to give us your used, but not finished shampoos, conditioners and sunscreens etc is working really well.

Instead of throwing these products away because you wont need them at home, give them to us and we can share them with our customers.

Barry has been one of the first to enjoy a free gift in this way!

Saturday 9 January 2016

Happy Children's Day

Today, 9th January, is Children's Day in Thailand.

In Lanta a huge fete was organised with many hotels and companies offering presents (food, drinks, toys, games, books, pens etc) and organising games for the children of the island (and those from abroad).

There was a huge stage where there were many Thai dancing and music performances and a raffle, only for the kids, of prizes gifted by many organisations.

We at Mook Lanta decided to run a stand, giving away probably 60 writing books, 100 pens, 20 boxes of crayons, 50 rulers and 200 doughnuts. They all lasted about an hour, so Gin and I looked around and we had only balloons left, so for the next 30 minutes we blew up balloons till our lungs nearly exploded!


It was great fun, but exhausting and lovely to see the island get together for this special day.


Thursday 7 January 2016

The Table

Yesterday, 2 of our guests tried a new restaurant on our island, called 'The Table.'

'The Table' only has one table and all the guests who book eat together. There is no menu but you are served a range of modern Thai cuisine. The idea is that you get to eat food you may have never tried and share the experience with other people you don't know.

I love the concept, but my husband, the fussy eater, was not keen, so I have been waiting for his parents to arrive so that I can try it.

Well Sarah and her new husband Gareth, loved the experience, Dew the chef and Peter her partner made them feel very welcome and the other guests were really entertaining.

Sarah and Gareth said that even the fussy eater would have found plenty to eat. There was more than enough. Dew welcomed everyone with a glass of Sangria and served:

1. Bacon and Mushroom Laab (Thai spicy salad)
2. Red Curry Chicken with herbed rice
3. Fish in Coconut soup and Tamarind leaves
4. Sweet and Sour fish and rice
5. Chinese sausage with a spicy salad
6. Fresh fruit and some Thai sweets to finish



Gareth gushed over all the food and the ambience but he particularly enjoyed the fruit selection, most of which he had never tried.


If you are staying with us and you would like to book, just ask reception. The booking is non-refundable (there are very limited places) but at the moment they have a great deal for a wonderful evening.

Thank you Peter & Dew for making our guests so happy,

Mellisa

Friday 1 January 2016

Extra beds and extra people

Dear Guests

We want you to enjoy your stay with us, so please be aware there are limitations on how many people can be booked into each room.

The Cozy bamboo bungalow is only big enough for 2 people, we do not recommend this room even if you have a small child or baby, as there is no room for an extra bed or cot and the bathroom is small.
Cozy Bamboo Bungalow for 2 people only

The Standard Fan Bamboo Bungalow and the Air Con Bungalow is suitable for only 2 people (a small child under 4 years can share the bed with their parents but no breakfast is included), both types of rooms can have an additional beds or cot added, but this must be booked in advance.
Standard Fan Bamboo bungalow can accommodate an extra bed/cot (3 people max)

Air Conditioned Bungalow can accommodate an extra bed/cot (3 people max)

The Family Bungalow has 2 bedrooms  (1 with a double bed and 1 with 2 single beds). This bungalow can accommodate an extra small child (under 4 years), for free, if sharing an existing bed, but no breakfast is required. An extra bed or cot can be added to this room, but it must be booked in advance.
The Family Bungalow has a double bedroom can have an extra bed/cot added to the room

The Family Bungalow has a twin bed room that cannot accommodate an extra bed/cot

The baby cot (for babies only) is provided free of charge, but must be booked,  no breakfast is included.  The extra bed is chargeable and can be booked with or without breakfast and must be booked in advance.

If we are not notified of extra bed or cot requirements,  we cannot guarantee we will be able to provide one at short notice and we therefore may not be able to allow you to stay in the room.

We hope our guests understand this is needed to ensure we are able to fulfil your needs and to prevent the room being damaged because it's capacity has been exceeded.

Always email us, for good honest advice about whether our room will meet your needs.

Mellisa
info@mooklanta.com