And they are sticking around! Manta Rays, Whalesharks and More! (Video)

 Matt & Manta Ray

Being an ex dive instructor (and dive centre owner on the island), I have a lot of friends on the island who are dive centre owners, instructors and Divemasters, who are making me so jealous at the moment as they are filling my facebook with photos and videos of amazing dives at all 3 of our major diving areas:

1. Manta Rays at Hin Daeng/Muang (Red Rock/Purple Rock)

2. Whalesharks at Koh Haa and Palong Wall

3. Eagle Rays at Koh Haa

Manta Ray

So it appear it doesn't matter where you go diving from Koh Lanta, or how experienced you are, at the moment, you are almost guaranteed to see something special.

Leopard Sharks are regularly seen

Big Thanks to Andaman Dive Adventures for these great photos and the wonderful selfie, by instructor Matt Pearson, with a Manta.

Earth Hour

We think now, more than ever, it is important that we stand up for the planet and start protecting it.

Picking up Trash from the Beach on Earth Hour Day

We go to considerable efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever we can. We already:

- only use paper straws (and you have to ask for one)

- we use reusable shampoo and bodywash dispensers in the bathrooms (so no tiny plastic bottles)

- we provide only 1 bottle of water per person, but offer free refills and sell the Trash Hero bottles

- we upcycle wherever we can, reusing old shutters to make tables, old roofs to make a bike shelter

- we recycle all glass, plastic, cans and cardboard

- our animals eat the left over food!

- we support Trash Hero's beach clean ups

- we have boxes our guests can leave unfinished products (suntan lotion, shampoo, toothpaste) and unwanted toys (Inflatables, fins, masks, buckets & spades) for other to use

- we have reusable laundry bags for the rooms.

We ask our guests not to throw away reusable items but give to others.

We are not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, but we consciously strive to always improve.

Reusable Laundry Bags

As with all previous years, Mook Lanta Eco Resort, will not only be supporting Earth Hour, but going further. Mook Lanta Eco Resort is asking all our guests to switch off all unnecessary devices between 8.30 to 9.30 tonight (24th March) but also shutting our electricity down completely for 1 hour at 12pm. 

Any leftover toys and inflatables are given to the Children of the Forest at the end of the season

We are proud to support such a wonderful event, we hope you will too!

Manta Rays and Whalesharks spotted at Koh Haa

Manta Ray

Diving in the Andaman Sea, just off Koh Lanta, is always good, as our waters are crystal clear and as well as a plethora of aquatic life, we also have caverns, caves and swim-throughs to enjoy.

Koh Haa 3

But yesterday was a little different at Koh Haa, the most popular of our SCUBA diving and snorkelling destinations, when several dive centres reported sightings of both Manta Rays and a Whaleshark! Whalesharks are huge (over 4 metres long) and plankton eaters, so everyone wants to get in the water with them when they are here.

Whaleshark

Koh Haa (5 islands) is comprised of 6 islands! (yes that is not a typo) and is ideal for both experienced and new divers, with swimming-pool conditions in the shallow lagoon between the islands, but we also have much deeper areas with cathedral like caves

Learn to Dive and maybe see a Manta or Whaleshark!

If you are coming to Thailand to dive, be sure to add Koh Lanta to your itinery.

It is possible to see them snorkeling too!

 Both the owners of Mook Lanta Eco Resort are divers, Mellisa is a diving instructor and an ex dive centre owner on the island, so if you need any help or advice please feel free to email us.

Leopard Sharks (not dangerous - check out the mouth) are also seen regularly

Tipping in Thailand

Teng, Our Receptionist and Thai Cultural Advisor

I am a member of a number of tourist groups and regularly the question of tips comes up. Many people think that Thai's are offended by tips and don't want to cause offense.

So I decided to get the truth from my receptionist, Teng, who origintates from Phatthalung province but has worked in Phuket and Koh Lanta. Now I will be clear I did not tell her that her current share of the tips was dependent on her answer!

I was a little surprised by her answer, I believed that whilst Thai's in general don't tip, they are grateful for any tip. But she said, no she tipped for good service and it could be between 100 to 200 baht! She said many waiters need it, I believe because Thai salaries for waiting staff in many restaurants are low.

Tips are shared equally among Mook Lanta Team

So I asked her if she was different to many Thais and if some Thai people were offended by the offering of a tip, she said 'no.'

Finally I asked her advice for tourists regarding tipping:

'Up to you.If you think they done the good thing for you or help you why not to do that.' 

Now I don't think you can get a more Thai response than that!

 This advice is based on no service charge being added to your bill.

Our unsung hero

For your information, all the tips at Mook Lanta are shared equally between all our staff, unless they are personally given to a particular member of staff, because we believe some of our unsung heroes, such as Ya, our Handyman and Gardener, can help ensure a guests stay is pleasurable, but never gets to meet the guests. 

Thank you Teng for taking the time to answer these questions.

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We are on Instagram!

So we started with an account for Benji and now we have made an account for Mook Lanta. Mellisa is still learning the ropes, so help her out by following us and sharing your photos of you at Mook Lanta or with Benji.

Our accounts are:

Benji_Mook_Lanta_Eco_Resort

MookLantaEco

Laanta Lanta Festival

The main street is closed to vehicles for the night

Yesterday was our Wedding Anniversary, so Nick and I took the day off and went to Old Town to enjoy the annual Laanta Lanta Festival.

Every year this event is held in Old Town from the 7th to the 9th March. On the 7th the festival was kicked off with a parade from the schools and government bodies on the island. The main street is closed to traffic and all the bars and restaurants put tables and chairs on the main road. Many bars have bands (one even had Elvis), traditional Thai dancing and fire dancing.

Celebrating our Anniversary with Elvis

Serenading the crowd

All the way along the street there are stalls selling distinctive thai and hand made products and many many food stalls. 7/11 were there promoting recycling and local photographers had hung artwork over the town showcasing Lanta Life.

Local photographer's artwork was showcased around the town

There is a main stage by the pier which has many many thai bands (some quite famous in thailand, including Job2Do).

The Big Stage had many bands playing over the night

Tonight is the last night of the festival, if you are on Koh Lanta, make sure you are there!