This article was originally posted on hub pages.com in 2011. I have moved it to this site in a continuing attempt to try to gather all my past Thailand posts and articles in one place. It has been updated and edited.
One of the perks of retiring in Chiangmai is its quick and inexpensive accessibility to the many other spectacular areas of Thailand. The country is well-known for its many coastal beach towns as well as the numerous beautiful islands lying within easy reach of any travellers or retirees who are looking for a more isolated experience. Some expats prefer to head for these areas to live rather than the cooler Northern part of the country that we chose as our base. Each locale has its pros and cons. If you are thinking of making the move, be sure to do your research to determine which area best suits you and your budget. Koh Lanta is one of several islands off the Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand and a destination for those who want to escape the nightlife of saturated tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket or Koh Phi Phi. Like much of the rest of the coast of Thailand, it is known for its diving and long white beaches.
After spending a few days in Phuket, a very popular beach resort town located Southern Thailand, we decided we had had enough of the crowded beaches and nightlife. Although the white sandy beaches were beautiful, it was a little tiring navigating our way through three rows of sun umbrellas just to get to the water. It was definitely not my idea of a tropical beach holiday. With no plans made ahead of time, we began to look for another less touristy place to visit. Our original plan to visit Koh Phi Phi was thrown out the window after talking to one of the locals. She suggested that we visit Koh Lanta, a less known island that was located about three hours due east by ferry. Read More
