The beach life here on the mainland, so in Pattaya, is quite ok, the beaches and by that I mean the Jomtienstarnd, the beach in the city of Pattaya at the Beachrod and the Wongamatstrand, but as far as the water is concerned only the Wongamatstrand is suitable for swimming in my opinion, otherwise the water quality is not very inviting.
But there are alternatives and so I have made an excursion to Koh Larn Island for today, first the morning breakfast and then it goes with the obligatory Bahttaxi to the Bali Hai Pier, this is in the southern part of Pattaya and is the landing stage for all ships and ferries in Pattaya.
The ferries go hourly to Koh Larn I have been told, I would like to leave at 11 o’clock with the ferry and so I am of course there in time and walk the long way over the pier to the landing stage of the ferry, this is right at the end of the pier at anchor…
ferry
I take a look at it and recognize the procedure, before entering the ferry are 30 Baht to pay and already you can find the right place. Attention, you have to choose the right side to sit on or just take a seat in the middle, otherwise you’ll be sitting in the blazing sun during the crossing, you don’t want to arrive on the island with a sunburn already…
We set sail on time and with full speed we head towards Koh Larn, the journey should take about 40 minutes in calm seas. Also on the ferry one is supplied with drinks at civilian prices, I get an ice-cold juice and enjoy the crossing, the audience on the ferry is mixed with Asians and Russians as well as Europeans, I love the variety of different mentalities…
After about 30 minutes we drive past Koh Larn towards the pier at the back of the island, it is different where to dock, the captain decides for whatever reasons whether to dock on the front or how now on the back.
All well, the island has several different beaches, I have already inquired in advance and decided for the OMA & OPA beach so the Thai name translated from Ta – Jaai, is called.
I walk along the beach path until I reach a side street with the well-known transport possibilities like Bahttaxi and Motobiketaxi, I choose a motorbike and off I go to my beach, the driver is paid with 50 Baht and after about 10 minutes I am there…
A great little beach with turquoise water, a dream, what more could you want…
There’s all the service I’m used to from the beaches of Pattaya, pleasant loungers, cool drinks and freshly cooked good food.
I enjoy it, a few meters and I am in the cool sea, so I imagined it!
Time flies again, I have agreed to be picked up by the motorbike taxi around 4.30 pm and it is also there on time, but now we drive to the front of the island because the return trip starts from here.
By the way, the last ferry goes to the mainland around 18 o’clock, however, the crossing then costs the fivefold…
I enjoyed the day and will come again, even if the journey is a little bit complicated, it is worth it!
– To be continued –