Laid back- I don't think there is any better way to describe the environment of Ko Lanta. It is one of the lesser visited Thai destinations compared to Ko Samet/Samui, Phuket, etc. and the pace of life is a bit like slow motion. It's like you get off the boat here and things get heavier.  You move more slowly, as do the people around you.  Sleep sounds good- anytime.  Hours pass. It seems like it takes a long time to do everything, but it doesn't matter. It's Ko Lanta time and it feels really nice.

Here's how we've been taking our time:

We hung out on Ba Katiang Beach, which is the the home of a few small resorts/restaurants/bars and a big 5-star one called Pimalai (more on that soon). This is the bay from our bungalow.

 Down at the end is a place that was wiped out by the tsunami, but has been rebuilt and is the best place on the beach for dinner.  It's called "Same Same, But Different".

 Closer ot our resort is the "Why Not?" bar.  Yes, the Thai are creative with names. This is a place run by "Chaba" (on the right). He calls Sachi "Pepsi", because it helps him remember. We left the crowded bar one night and he came out calling my name and said "Lee, Lee, I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to talk to you tonight, we've been very busy." He then gave us a lantern to help us home, as the power had gone out. Good guy that Chaba- and a lover of Bob Marley too.

On the beach, there is a flexible pier that reaches out to deeper water, where people can board large boats.  This pier eventually broke in the crashing surf, but not before we had some fun on it.

 While we were, it became low season, as evidenced by crashing surf that suddenly took away the beach.

 The beach was also the site of nightly fire twirling, or whatever it's called.  Most sessions are done to the music of Metallica or Linkin Park.

 We made some new friends, in fact more than any single week of the trip.  This is Luke (Aussie) and Christine (French Canadian).  We spent a couple of long night with these folks. This is from a hilltop bar than no one knows about.

 We also met an great Aussie couple who got married on the beach and staying in the 5-star Pimalai resort. Clayton and Lisa- congrats!

 This picture above is from the pool at Pimalai, which is one of the best ever.  They were kind enough to invite us up for a swim.  Ahhhh.

 Time really does have a different feel here.  Lately, it's been feeling like there isn't enough of it- enough of it here.

 The reason to go to Railay Beach is the scenery and the nice beach.  The locale itself is built up with resorts that are nice, but make for a busy environment.  Ton Sai is just a kilometer away and is more of a low-key backpacker place- called "the peasant beach" by one resident we met. The same is true for the east side of Railay Beach, which has a mud beach.  Lots of people come for the excellent rock climbing too.

Now that we're in Ko Lanta, here's a look back at some of the scenes from Railay Beach...

 Most unforgettable were the sunsets.  The sky would seem to be on fire sometimes.

These clounds aren't exactly on fire, but look pretty magestic, I think.

The longtail boat is the only way to get to Railay Beach.

 Once you're there, though, you can explore on foot and by sea kayak, which is highly recommended. No cave for Sachi.

 I think we're both happy that we went to Railay beach, but I don't think it would make it onto the agenda the next time around.  We'd prefer the more traditional, laid back, Ko Lanta style of Thailand.

A while back, our friend in Seattle, Steve Manning told us about Railay Beach and then added a travel experience about it too. Since then, we've been hoping to make it.

It took us 3 cabs, a bus and finally a long tail boat to get here, but we made it at a cost of about $25US for both of us from Phuket. When we first got to Railay, we were impressed by the scenery- high limestone cliffs or "carsts" are everywhere,making for a truly other-worldly feel.

We're staying at a place called Railay Bay Resort, which is one of the better places here. We have a bungalow that isn't Baan Krating, but it's nice. It has A/C, which I need these days.  I have needs you know. It costs about $50US per night, which is a lot for Thailand and backpacker standards, but we're OK with it. Breakfast is included and it has all the niceties... location on the beach, restaurant and bar, nice grounds.  Interstestingly, the resort has one of the few bars at Railay that serves alcohol. 

Plus, you get views like this...

Just around the big rock on the left of the beach is another beach called Pranang, which has floating kitchens, where we got lunch for about $3US. 

 I haven't yet jumped off this rock, but I will...

 We are still in love with Thailand.