Koh Chang (Elephant Island) is the third largest Thai island. It is on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It is also not nearly as well known as Phuket or Koh Samui, between the western coast of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. For this reason, it is not as developed. Having said this, the tours have found it. The beach on the west coast reminds me a bit of Mexico, albeit with more Europeans than North Americans. There are hawkers selling their wares, and bars serving drinks to beach-goers. And it is wall to wall shops, restaurants, bars, massage spas, scooter rentals, and dispensaries on the main road.
West Coast
We hitched a ride with Nikki and Ang as they were going shopping. We stopped at “The Secret Garden’ to kill some time as the baguettes at the bakery were running late. We were dropped off and had some lunch. Ellen got a pedicure, and I found some shirts (finally in large sizes – must be the clientele.)
Unfortunately, the road from the ferry terminal to the west coast includes some very steep hairpin turns over the mountains. My cycling skills haven’t reached the point where I’m willing to take them on.
East Coast
This is where we are staying. We took advantage of Pete and Lek’s car to tour the southern end of the Eastern part of Koh Chang. First stop was the Mangrove boardwalk at Sa Lak Phet. We wouldn’t call the boardwalk pristine. Toward the end, a young girl put her foot through it and went down past her knee.
Next, we went to the pier.
We went to a wonderful seafood restaurant on the water. We picked up a snapper that we brought back and had Ang prepare it Thai style for dinner.
Lek’s birthday Dinner
I would be remiss not to mention this particular sign. Maybe it’s just me, but I found it kind of fun.
