Strolling In The Rain
Our first day in Koh Lanta was a drizzly and decidedly not a beach day! The wet yet warm weather was perfect for taking a walk down to the Saladan Pier – situated at the north end of the island, where we came in at, via the Lanta Bridge. The Pier is a quaint hub of cozy cafes, souvenir shops, diving outfits, tour operators, and of course many seafood restaurants.

The total distance from our hotel  to the pier was about 1.5 miles, so a half-hour walk. All flat. Easy-peasy. The whole stretch was lined with small convenience shops, restaurants, banks and food stands. Heading north, the beaches are to the left and the hilly, jungle forest is to the right. The vibe is very laid-back.

Buddhists & Muslims Living in Harmony
A key landmark we spotted within just a few minutes of our walk was the green mosque on the hilly side of the road. While Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand, Koh Lanta is a melting pot of Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians. Religious freedom for all is protected by the Thai constitution.

Browsing Around
As we get closer to the pier, charming little side streets begin to splinter off the main road giving us more to explore.  There is a bit more of a buzz going on, as this is the harbor and the heart of town. We stop in and out of cute little bookstores and such and scoped out the food choices for later on. There’s no major hustle being given by the vendors to pull you in. It’s all very mellow and lovely, allowing for maximum chill.

Relax, Just Do It!
A great way to relax away an afternoon is to grab a drink and snack at one of the cool wooden-stilted restaurants right over the water, facing Lanta Noi and Lanta Bridge.Watch the boats go by and see if you can spot a modern day Sea Gypsy!