Friday 18 November 2016

Happy Birthday Dteng

This season we have 2 wonderful new staff members that I have not introduced you to, as it was Dteng's birthday yesterday, I took the opportunity of getting the staff together for a team photo.
Dteng, Kai 2, Kai 1, Tor, Sao, Deng, Ya

Tor is our new waitress and everyone universally agrees she has a smile that can melt even the hardest heart. Tor joined us just over a month ago and is a real asset to the team, as she also helps the house keeping team when they are busy.

Dteng is our new receptionist, brought in to help our Hotel Manager, Gin. Dteng is from Phuket and has already captured the hearts of some of our regulars. When she first arrived a few weeks ago, she was puzzled why Gin, Nick and I were always around to help her. Now we are in full High Season, I think she wishes we were more around!

I know these 2 ladies will be a real asset to our team this season and I hope for many seasons to come.

Oh and Happy Birthday Dteng!

Thursday 17 November 2016

Getting to the Island from the Airport

I am getting many people emailing me at the moment, who seem very confused about how to get to Koh Lanta:

Koh Lanta is an island in the province of Krabi, but Krabi Town and Airport are on the mainland. The Airport is closer to Koh Lanta than the town itself, but only by about 15minutes.

There are only 2 ways to reach the island:

- By Passenger Ferry
- By Car Ferry

The Passenger Ferry only runs 2 times a day, 8.30am and 1pm. It takes about 1.5 hours. You can book tickets for the passenger ferry at the airport, it should cost around 550 baht per person. They will transport you to the pier, just outside Krabi where you will meet the ferry.

The Car Ferry is located at Hua Hin (about 40 minutes from the airport), this runs continuously from 6am to 10pm. The journey is only about 15 minutes (depending on queues for the ferry) and takes you to Koh Lanta Noi. Koh Lanta is comprised of 2 islands; Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai (the island we, and all hotels, are located). The two islands are now connected by a bridge to each other, so the journey from the ferry to the resort is about 30 minutes. So, at best, the journey should take 1.5 hours.

You can book a place on the public minibus at the airport, this costs 400 baht per person, the minibus runs every hour from 7am to 5pm. Please be WARNED, most of the tour agencies will first take you into Krabi (the wrong direction) and make you wait there for a minibus. I have had some guests who have taken over 4 hours to get to the resort from the airport, because of this reason and the many stops the driver will do on his way. I only recommend this, if you have plenty of time and don't have children.

You can also book a private taxi from the airport (or from me), for 2,500 baht they will bring you direct to the resort. This is the fastest way to get to the resort. Please be aware that some of the tour agencies at the airport will charge more for a private taxi after 5pm, because they will claim the driver cannot return the same night. As our driver is from the island we do not have this problem. I strongly recommend this option if there is 4 of you, you have children or you arrive late. If you would like to book this with me, I need to know, at least 24 hours before, your flight details. Please email me at info@mooklanta.com.

Please also note, that although the minibus takes a long time from Krabi Airport to here, it is usually the opposite from Koh Lanta! They will pick you up at the resort, then pick up more people around the island (usually takes 30 minutes) then they go straight to the airport (this is usually the first stop on the mainland). If your flight is during the day, this is the option we recommend to most people. We can book this for you.

If you are still not sure which of these options is best for you, please contact me directly; info@mooklanta.com