jafrelin
Jan 12, 09, 2:47 pm
Golden Buddha Beach Resort Koh Phra Thong
This resort is unlike any I. know. It is an unlikely blend of natural beauty attentive service and primitive facilities. In some ways it is most like the staff of a four star hotel went to work at your old summer camp. This resort is not for everyone. The physical beauty is amazing. The beaches are a couple of miles long of terrific white sand beach. I walked a couple of kilometers and never saw another living human. On the other hand its hard to get there (we were about 7 hours in transit from Bangkok with no glitches). There is no hot water, and often no running water at all. Even when the water is running, it doesn't run very hard. Often showering means using the water dipper and dumping it over your head. Electricity is a for only a few hours per day. The rooms are open to the world. There are no windows, with lattices on one wall (the opposite wall opens to the deck) to allow air circulation. Sleeping is under mosquito netting. There are bugs! and reptiles, and monkeys.
On the plus side- tropical sunrises and sunsets from your own covered deck. Soft breezes and a score of squid boats off shore decorating the horizon like Christmas lights. Noises are all natural- A cicada like alarm clock that goes off for 10 minutes (like clockwork) 10 minutes after dawn. The loudest lizard I have ever hear. these are truly magical experiences that make the others worthwhile.
The staff are attentive, friendly and truly helpful. Their English is way better than my Thai. The food is plentiful and good. Don't expect epicurean delights, but all is simple and well prepared. The most memorable for me was a simply prepared deep fried whole fish that had to have been swimming in the morning and was on the plate at dinnertime. The bar is open almost all the time and the beer is local and OK.
None of this is really the point if the resort. It is all about being in a spectacularly beautiful spot, away from phones, blackberries, TVs and computers with a chance to sit and vegetate. The activities are not the point- there are many places for better diving- better food, and certainly much better accommodation. None provide the peace and tranquility along with removing the stresses of living. the very lack of variety of the food and its quality make even that go away. If you want a place with constant stimulation, night life and activities- don't go to GBBR. If you want a place to think, relax and enjoy yourself and your companions it's a winner. For what it is, it's first rate,
This resort is unlike any I. know. It is an unlikely blend of natural beauty attentive service and primitive facilities. In some ways it is most like the staff of a four star hotel went to work at your old summer camp. This resort is not for everyone. The physical beauty is amazing. The beaches are a couple of miles long of terrific white sand beach. I walked a couple of kilometers and never saw another living human. On the other hand its hard to get there (we were about 7 hours in transit from Bangkok with no glitches). There is no hot water, and often no running water at all. Even when the water is running, it doesn't run very hard. Often showering means using the water dipper and dumping it over your head. Electricity is a for only a few hours per day. The rooms are open to the world. There are no windows, with lattices on one wall (the opposite wall opens to the deck) to allow air circulation. Sleeping is under mosquito netting. There are bugs! and reptiles, and monkeys.
On the plus side- tropical sunrises and sunsets from your own covered deck. Soft breezes and a score of squid boats off shore decorating the horizon like Christmas lights. Noises are all natural- A cicada like alarm clock that goes off for 10 minutes (like clockwork) 10 minutes after dawn. The loudest lizard I have ever hear. these are truly magical experiences that make the others worthwhile.
The staff are attentive, friendly and truly helpful. Their English is way better than my Thai. The food is plentiful and good. Don't expect epicurean delights, but all is simple and well prepared. The most memorable for me was a simply prepared deep fried whole fish that had to have been swimming in the morning and was on the plate at dinnertime. The bar is open almost all the time and the beer is local and OK.
None of this is really the point if the resort. It is all about being in a spectacularly beautiful spot, away from phones, blackberries, TVs and computers with a chance to sit and vegetate. The activities are not the point- there are many places for better diving- better food, and certainly much better accommodation. None provide the peace and tranquility along with removing the stresses of living. the very lack of variety of the food and its quality make even that go away. If you want a place with constant stimulation, night life and activities- don't go to GBBR. If you want a place to think, relax and enjoy yourself and your companions it's a winner. For what it is, it's first rate,