Kayaking in the Mangroves

After a blistering hot day, some of the group danced in the short rain shower

We were lucky enough to receive a booking of 20 Americans, who were part of a wedding party, this week. They had 11 rooms (of all types), which had been organised by Sara, the bride.

Emerald Cave

The day after they arrived, Sara had organised a 4 island Tours, which takes in Emerald Cave (who some believe is the real inspiration behind the film, 'The Beach.' They loved this tour and wanted to do another, but having only 1 day left, wanted to spend some time exploring the island.

Traditional Thai Longtail

I recommended the 3 Island and Kayaking tour with Lanta Kayaking. We spoke to Lanta Kayaking and the lady there gave them a great rate for a private tour for 12.

Monkey enjoying some melon

They were picked up at 8:30 and went by longtail boat from Tungyeepeng Pier to the mangrove forests. They stopped at Talabeng island and then Koh Kum for some swimming. Next onto to Koh Ung to enjoy the beach there and then explored Talabeng Cave by Kayak.

The Monkeys love entertaining the tourists

But the bit they enjoyed the most was the stop at Monkey point, where they saw many monkeys, young and old. Many were throwing themselves into the water to get to the longtail, whilst others swam underwater to surprise them.

They returned just after 1pm and all of them could not stop talking about how much fun they had had on the trip and that Lanta Kayaking was an absolutely amazing company and their tour guides were amazing.

Celebrating a great day out.

Many thanks to Lanta Kayaking for making the tour so special for our guests and please remember if you are travelling in a group we can often negotiate a private tour for the same price, or less in this case, as joining a tour.

Big thanks to Sara, for sending us such a wonderful group and congratulations on her wedding.

Children's Day

Gin, Sao, Kai 2, Kai 1 and Ya

Yesterday, was Children's Day in Thailand. Every year there is a special event held for the children, in Koh Lanta, with games, shows and free gifts from many of the businesses on Lanta. Every year we take part, but this year I was in Bangkok so was unable to help, so Gin (our Hotel Manager) took Sao, Kai 1, Kai 2 and Ya (our cleaners and handyman).

The doughnuts were free for the kids

This year we bought 500 doughnuts and they were all gone in less than 2 hours! (I cannot imagine what it is like after this event for the parents!).

Whilst I was at the airport waiting for our flight back from Bangkok, Fighter jets were circling over the airport, doing lots of acrobatics. As we were about to take off, we saw that on the military airport, next to Don Muang, they were loads of children enjoying the special event being held just for them by the military.

Happy Children's Day to all the Children around the world!

She said Yes!

A thank you from some guests

Well this has been quite a couple of weeks. It started with a man asking me to help him organise a Wedding anniversary breakfast for him and his partner. So we organised breakfast on their balcony, a fruit platter and flowers. They were so happy they gave me one of the roses as a thank you!

Then we had a boyfriend who was concerned his girlfriend was really sick and needed some good quality medical advice, took them to my own doctor on the island and the next day she was feeling much better and I was rewarded with wine and chocolate!

Yesterday was a guests birthday and his girlfriend wanted a cake and somewhere special to eat on the beach. I told them a cake was going to be tricky, but I might be able to get them a table at one of the best hotel's on the islands restaurant. Not only were we able to sneak them in (they were nearly full), the restaurant staff sang 'Happy Birthday' as they delivered the quickly made and decorated cake!

Emerald Cave was where she said yes!

But today is the one I was really excited about. Today we sent a couple on a private 4 island tour with Kantiang Tours. Secretly we packed some flowers, Champagne and glasses. I gave the gentleman my dry bag to keep his camera and other special things in whilst he and his girlfriend swim through the Emerald Cave to the hidden beach inside.

Whilst they were in there, he asked the guide to take a photo and as soon as he did, he dropped to his knees and asked her to marry him! Luckily for him and all of us, she said yes!

A surprise free upgrade for the lovely couple!

Unbeknownst to both him and his future wife, whilst they were away, we moved all their luggage from a Standard fan Bungalow to an Air Con Bungalow, which our staff decorated with flowers.

We love making people happy, we enjoy working with out guests to surprise their loved ones and we are more excited than they are most of the time.

We would like to wish Peter and Anton, many more happy wedding anniversaries and Georg and Nicole a wonderful future together.