Sunday 25 December 2016

Happy Christmas

We would like to wish all our past, current and future guests, friends and staff a merry, merry Christmas.

This is our fourth season and this Year, and as with every year, we surprised our guests with a small gift from Santa. At breakfast our guests enjoyed some Bucks Fizz (Champagne and orange juice) and the staff joined in the fun, wearing their Santa Hats.

At lunchtime we closed the resort for 1 hour to celebrate Christmas with all our staff. We enjoyed lunch together and bought silly presents for each other.

Christmas is being with the ones you love, I hope you were able to do just that and we wish you peace and happiness for 2017.

Mellisa & Nick

Monday 12 December 2016

Shhh it is a Secret!


I have lived on Koh Lanta for nearly 10 years now and every year I manage to find a new bar, restaurant or activity on the island that has remained undiscovered.
A Hidden Gem
3 days ago I was invited to a birthday party at Nong Cat. I had heard of this restaurant, but had never been and had no idea where it was. So off with some dodgy directions, Nick and I headed off.
Celebrating the 2 Tony's Birthdays
In the main town of Saladan, Nong Cat can be found down a small road next to Kontiki Dive Centre. It was built over 14 years ago and 5 years ago was converted from a house into a restaurant. Set in beautiful cool gardens, the bar offers a lovely secluded place to enjoy good company and a beer.
Tony celebrating his own birthday with their lovely staff
The owners are German and offer both Thai, German and Pizzas. Their head chef has over 20 years experience of cooking and working in Thailand and wow did it show! Everything we ate was delicious, the staff were welcoming and friendly and I left the restaurant with only one regret.......

I wish we had found it 5 years ago!

Good luck Kerstin and Paul for the season, hope to come for a beer and some Goulash real soon!

Mellisa

Friday 9 December 2016

Manta Rays at Hin Daeng & Hin Muang!

Nick had some time off on Wednesday and decided to take his first trip to Hin Daeng & Hin Muang (Red Rock & Purple Rock). These dive sites are not for novices, so Nick, who qualified over 2 years ago (but doesn't have time to dive very often) decided to join one of our guests on the Scubafish boat, now he that has a few dives under his belt.

Nick, Jon and a Manta!
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang and the furthest dive sites, that the dive centres, here on Koh Lanta, go to. The dives are deep and can have strong currents, but are named after the beautiful hard and soft coral on them and popular with experienced divers. If you get a good day, Manta Rays and/or Whalesharks are here.
Nick, Jon and our guest with a Manta Ray
As a dive instructor for many years, I had to wait till I had completed over 200 dives to see my first Manta Ray in Australia. I only saw it briefly, but it was a beautiful moment I will never forget. I have seen many since that time, mainly in the Andaman Sea and have always been entranced as they glide past me.
Manta Rays are identified by their under markings
So it came as quite a shock that Nick called me from the boat, clearly delighted, reporting that he has not just seen one but 2 many times, on both dives he did at Hin Daeng/Muang. I have to admit to being a little jealous.

I hope the Manta Rays stay long enough for me to take a visit, meanwhile Nick is already looking forward to his first Whaleshark!

If you would like to learn to dive, or are already qualified, talk to us about which dives would be ideal for you.

High Season is here, the sun is shining and the diving is greaaattttt!

Thursday 8 December 2016

Bad Weather? I think not!

We have had many customers query us recently about the weather in Koh Lanta.
Koh Haa yesterday!
Whilst we had rain for a few days last week, we have avoided the terrible weather that Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan, Nakon Si Thammarat etc have endured.
Klong Dao Beach today!
Be very careful with any forecasts your see on your mobile or laptop for Koh Lanta, as we are a small island, and it is often the case that much of the bad weather predicted passes us by or hits one beach but not the rest.

I can assure you I am hot and sweaty today!!!