Koh Lanta -- Lanta Palace

What to say? We're in a beautiful spot on a sandy beach with minimal waves, a constant warm temperature, a swimming pool, and beach chairs. The Lanta Palace is past its prime -- way past, but who cares? The rooms are comfortable, they have a hot pot to make hot drinks, the air conditioning is good, and, and I can't overstate this, they have a gorgeous beach and pool.

Okay, today I went next store to the very luxe resort. They have the very same beach, but the pool, and the waiters bringing drinks, and the gift store with handmade Thai hill tribe gifts...it was all so special. And I wanted to stay so bad...but the pricetag? I don't know, but not $42 per night including breakfast, I promise.

It seems most people here are European, and not friendly. One older couple spoke with Nikki, but not me... All day together, and all night, no conversation. I had been led to believe that lower end = better friendships. And throughout this trip this has been generally true. But here, couples, families, not sure what it is, a determination to be together for the couples? No clue. But I don't feel part of the European group exactly. And I wonder...the folks next door must have a lot more money...the perfectly maintained pool, the villas, the gift shop. Everything is luxury. Here, it is loving decay. Would I make more friends there? Less? No clue.

The beach at Koh Rok --- it is a national park

View pool and beach, Lanta Palace, approaching sunset

Sunset, Koh Lanta

Three beach kitties. They belong to a restaurant.