28th December.
Early breakfast and the Resort taxi to the ferry port for 9.15am.
We bought the tickets at the pier for 200B each to travel by speedboat from KoYao to Phuket.
At 9.40 a small speedboat came round to the pier where we were waiting with one other tourist and a local girl. We discovered that this was to be our boat and we were the only four passengers.
I was delighted to see the life jackets hanging on a centre pole in this boat. Our rucksacks were taken from us and stored in the front of the boat. We were shown to our seats towards the rear.
We left KoYao passing lots of other smaller islands, some inhabited and some not. We passed a sheltered piece of water between islands that is obviously a haven for yachts and large cruising boats. As some of the larger speedboats passed us, our driver had to slow down before we hit their wake. Our boat still bounced several feet into the air causing us to leave our seats and return with a thud. Thankfully this only happened a couple of times.
On arrival at Phuket we were unloaded and pointed in the direction of the taxi rank. A price of 600B was agreed and we left the ferry port and headed out onto the main road. The journey time was about 30 minutes until the driver turned off the main road and into very small back lanes. It became obvious he didn’t know where he was but he stopped to ask a lady. Round more small lanes and eventually we turned into the car park of NaiYang Place hotel.
We discovered that the hotel had only been open 2 months so was not known by the taxi drivers yet. Although the hotel is open not all the building work is complete yet. The lift is still being installed!!! Luckily we were given a room on the second floor so not many stairs to climb, heavily loaded with our backpacks.
A quick sort out, consultation with the Receptionist and a map in hand we headed for the beach. The hotel is certainly in the middle of nowhere and we walked along pleasant quiet roads until we met the dual carriageway (which we had to cross). Another lane then led us in the direction of the beach.
We were stopped by a lady at the entry to the National Park who explained that the beach and surrounding area is now a National Park and we had to pay 100B each for a day pass. This we did and continued to walk through the park area until we could see the sea.
Time for a fruit drink and sit down. Whilst chatting to the waitress she explained that if we walked the length of the beach there were plenty of shops and restaurants at the other end, which is beyond the National Park area.
We set off along the beach just as a large plane was coming into the airport. It approaches over the sea and skims the beach before landing just the other side of a hedge. We were so surprised at how low it was over the beach we had to wait for a second plane to come in and confirm it would do the same.
Lunch was eaten in a little street with several cafes and restaurants in it. Then for the return journey.
Nearly back at the entrance to the park we stopped for a cuppa. Thai people drink their tea very strong, with plenty of sugar and very sweet milk. Try asking for black tea and they just don’t understand. I made it clear that I didn’t want milk but lost the battle with the sugar. One cup of very black, thick tea with a layer of sugar in the bottom and i was wishing i had asked for water!!!
We returned to the hotel some 6 hours later, prepared with snacks for tea. This hotel has no restaurant or bar. The Receptionist can prepare a Pot Noodle or pot of porridge for you and they sell a few snacks like crisps. Luckily we leave before breakfast in the morning because they don’t serve any.
Still we have a very nice, large, freshly decorated bedroom with a comfy bed with crisp white sheets on it. All we need for a nights sleep.