Elephant Island - A Paradise You Will Never Forget! Koh Chang, Thailand
Koh Chang 'Elephant Island' is aptly named due to the island's trunk-like shape at the south-eastern end of the island. The island is the second largest in Thailand, covering 429 square kilometres and a population just over 5,000. The island is a lot quieter than the tourist traps of Phuket and Koh Samui, but is continually developing to build it's tourist appeal. Don't let this worry you, as there are plenty of secluded spots the less adventurous rarely visit.
One of many beautiful sunsets
This tropical paradise lies 310 km away from Bangkok, with the journey taking around 5 hours by bus, then a further 30 minutes on the ferry across to the island, followed by twisting ascents and descents of it's mountainous topography before being presented with the first sandy-haven, White Sand Beach.
I had been to the island once before, but it was at the tail-end of monsoon season which left the sea murky, far away from the crystal clear seas gracing the covers of many a travel brochure. My return journey took place back in 2011 and this time I was accompanied by Mrs Explorer, my perfect travelling companion to enjoy the delights of the island in its true beauty.
Mrs Explorer enjoying the crystal clear waters
(May I also add, all the pictures are originals, but taken on a phone with a very mediocre camera. So I do apologise about the quality of the images, but I guess it puts into perspective the advances of mobile phone technology in such a short period of time!)
Blessed with a Mesmerising View
Our humble abode for this trip provided us with some ever lasting memories, which sparked the catalyst to create this very article. For our return visit we stayed at Sea View Resort & Spa - Koh Chang, (I have no affiliation with this company, but would happily be an ambassodor!) the resort's entrance starts at one of the island's higher vantage points and leads all the way down to Had Kai Bae - Kai Bae beach. Little to our knowledge, the resort bestowed us with a view to die for! If given the chance I would move to live in that very room at the skip of a heartbeat! On stepping out to our balcony we were greeted by an archipelago, which were begging to be conquered. Such a view made us feel rewarded for the torrid times spent in the suffocating pollution of Bangkok.
A lounger begging to be lounged in!
Were we on Jurassic Park?
Another stunning sunset
Intriguing Transport and Perfect Pools
Due to the elevation of the resorts's entrance they had a cable car, which stopped off at different levels within the accommodation's expansive plot of land. This made the utmost convenience when travelling between the resort's Sunset Bar, clifftop swimming pool, beachfront swimming pool, lighthouse restaurant and private beach, which had easy access to Kai Bae Beach. I would usually walk, but as they say, "When in Rome......"
The convenience of cable!
Mrs Explorer taking full advantage of the clifftop pool
I think it's my turn now!
The beachfront pool and an explorer weighing up his options
Most Memorable Beach
After spending an admirable amount of time at the resort, it was time to set sail and explore new pastures. Our first stop was Had Chai Chet - Chai Chet Beach. This beach was the ultimate spot to kick back and relax, the sea was clear and on arrival calling our souls to relax in its warm clear presence. The beach was relatively quiet, making it the perfect setting to unwind. Once we had finished swimming there was plenty of shady palms to escape the ferocity of the blazing Sun. Although, the creme de la creme of this beach had to be be the jaw-dropping sunsets in the evening, making it that perfect location for those eternal lasting memories and possible prize-winning photos for the avid photographer out there.(Unfortunately our dated phone camera wasn't going to win us any awards, but you can get the picture!)
Enjoying the joys
Watch out for coconuts
Swinging into view
Worth the wait
Trip to the Falls
I have always felt that any good trip in Thailand should always include a trip to a waterfall and a pleasant dip to reward the effort made. On this particular trip we hired a scooter, so we could zip around the island at our own steam, allowing us to come and go as we please. So we dropped on our helmets, slapped on the sunblock and made our way to Khlong Plu Waterfalll. We parked up our trusty scooter, paid our fees, 200 baht for foreigners and about 60 for Thais. The journey was about 600 metres to the flowing falls and I made a hasty start after being welcomed by an abundance of local red ants! At the bottom of the waterfall you can swim in the pool below. Entry can be made by jumping or lowering yourselves down a slippery rock face! Once in the water you can swim towards the current which created the effect of a treadmill. I swam as hard as I could, but just stayed in the same spot, quite fun but exhausting after no time! Khlong Plu Waterfall was a heart-warming place to explore and swimming within the fall's water made the journey more than worthwhile.
Ready for exploration
The Pool of Khlong Plu
Well Steemians, thank you so much for reading my blog, it is truly appreciated. If you enjoyed this, don't forget to upvote and follow to see more exploring in Thailand.
Keep exploring!
(All photos are originals)
A good thorough post. I'll def check it out then next time I'm in Thailand.
Cheers, m8 much appreciated and you won't regret a visit to Elephant Island! A trip you'll never forget.
Elephant Island - already added to my list! Sounds like you might be a fellow Aussie, @theexplorer? If you are; is Thailand generally still as affordable as it was say 5 or 10 years ago? Only been the one time, ages ago. It is more expensive than say Vietnam? Less expensive than say Malaysia?
Hi, I am English, but have been to Aus and lived in New Zeland for about a year! I first visited Thailand 10 years ago and prices have gone up, but compared to Aus or the UK it is still super affordable, more expensive than Myanmar or Cambodia, but cheaper than the other neighbouring countries.
That waterfall was almost dry when I went there. Looks nice- good to see a full set of photos- lots of places to visit
The flow was really strong, was knackered trying to swim to where the water was 'falling' and impossible to reach unless you were Michael Phelps!
Really good job man carry on thanks
Thanks, I hope to go back next April, but have loads of travelling to do this month, as I have 3 weeks for school holidays! Exploring here I come!!!!!!
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Amazing places! Beautiful pictures!
Thank you @wangwenjing, have you ever visited any of the islands in Thailand?
Didn’t have any chance yet, but it’s on my travel list now! LOL
Wow - I guess I'll have to add this spot to my list of places to go!
Thailand has a great variety of tropical islands to visit and this one rocks! Thank you for reading and you won't be dissapointed if you visit Koh Chang!
Great photos. Koh Chang it's a nice island with amazing sunsets. I have been there a couple of times. Will go again :-)
Yeah, I can't wait for my next trip, thanks for checking out my blog!