Koh Mook

The next island we wanted to visit was the Koh Mook which is laying halfway back between the Kradan and the mainland. And can be considered to be suitable for "on the budget" travellers.

Leaving the Paradise Lost Resort we got a nice lift to the beach by their "moto-taxi".

Previous day we have met a Czech (Prague, Holešovice) couple with 4 years old son. So, all kids were happy to have a new friend (to talk and understand with). And we, adults, were happy too, as they managed to entertain themselves pretty well without much of our efforts.

We had promised them to spend some time together just before leaving the island too, so they've been playing on the beach while we were waiting for our speedboat to come. And they had time enough to enjoy it as the boat did not come in time. Actually, we were (together with others) gradually becoming quite uncertain. Luckilly, 45 mins later than scheduled, we were loaded to some speadboat (to this moment we are not certain whether it was the originally planned one or not) heading towards the Koh Mook.*

In less than 30 minutes we were unloaded on the pier of Ko Mook and loaded by waiting moto&taxi to take us to our accomodation.

It was a lunchtime. Being hungry we were highly pleased by the food taste, portions and prices. Which generally were 50% of those on Ko Kradan. And we have continued to really enjoy it the whole stay. By the way, so far we basically eat almost only shrimps and seafood variations. With rice or noodles. In soup, kari, salad or fried rolls (kids favourite).

As Koh Mook is close to the mainland the waters are really shallow. (By the way, dugongs live in this area). Resulting in a huge difference between the low and high tide. On our beach it was some 250m! walking distance. It was a little disappointing feeling first that the beaches are not as nice as those on Ko Kradan, but we have got used to what we had and turned it onto positive soon.

Accommodated in our little bamboo challet (will describe in a separate post) we went for a walk. Through a fishing "village". Couple of houses on pilots over water and a huge mess everywhere. Like a tsunami has passed through just only a couple of days ago. We are not posh and actually like ordinary and "to the basics" places but this was rather too much. Chickens, goats, dogs, cats. Fine. But boat parts, motorbike skeletons, plasctics and all the not useful/already used (or one day to be used) rubbish around? Hard to truly understand the mindset of people living like this.

Walking closer to the pier, local kids - boy and girl- joined us. First just out of curiosity but this soon evolved in playing together on the beach with Tad and Olive. And, later on, in "lost in translation" misunderstanding, being irritated (Tadeas) and provocative (local kids). And, how suddenly this friendship started it also ended.

Next two days on the island were filled with beach/coast exploration activities. Wandering around (and through) mangrove, catching and examining the variety of estuary crabs (including the hermit ones).

We also did some snorkeling. Poor compared to the Kradan. With the only "migh-be-worth-seeing" abundance of a starfish. But as they were all the same it wasn't really much satisfying.

The true highlight of our stay on Koh Mook (and of the island itself) was the "voyage" around the island and visit to a hidden beach through the Morakot cave (800 THB for the whole boat; we shared with others). This ment Tad had to swim with me in the dark through the 80m (or so) sea cave. Or to be exact, as he has been rather scarred, I had to swim-through with him on my back. And Kaczulka had to navigate throught on a kayak, Oliv sitting in front of her. Trully the biggest adventure for all of us. (So far...)

The place could be very chilling and contenplative if without other people. And our kids. Running and screaming all around..

We have travelled from the island back to the Trang town this morning. By the 8am boat (normally slow and used by locals). Combined boat+van ticket was 250 THB/adult (kids for free). (Directly on the boat people payed some 50 or 60 bahts; for the boat only. Meaning it is possible to make it even a little bit cheaper).

* Tigerline company, we had the tickets with, has a dodgy reputation and this our little experience proved it. Ticket cost: 300 THB adult + 100 THB Tadeas. Different companies offer different prices for kids and it is always worth to ask around then.