On my last full day around Koh Lanta, I took my moped to the ferry and rode over to Koh Lanta Noi. I was staying at Koh Lanta Yai, which is the popular tourist island, but needed something cheap and new. They are currently building a bridge right now to connect the two islands, but until complete the ferry is the only way.

Upon arriving, I would have to say Koh Lanta Noi was the most underdeveloped place I had ever seen. I rode my motorbike around the island the entire day exploring and now my cheeks are rosy red with sun burns. Most of the island was only small residences and farms. The island lacked any tourists or commercialism. It was stunning.

While riding around the island, I saw several “view points,” all which were basically abandoned. The island was quiet and the wind ruffled so many leaves and fingers of palm trees. Riding in the sun was so warm, but as I would wind around the corners of the road, I would catch shade and a drift of cool air would feel like heaven.

At one stop, a couple showed me the fruit they were preparing and shared Papaya with me. It was insanely good. At another time, a sweet elderly woman shared Tamarind, that she had just processed, with me. The people were so sweet and nice and the food so good.

Lastly, I stopped to see the pier at the end of the east side of the island. There was not much of a view to be had so I ordered and drank a coke nearby. After I got some weird vibes and some rogue boatmen asked me about some islands, I decided to get the hell out of dodge. Also, the place I stopped to get a cola had a kitty with no eyes. I hope it wasn’t a foreshadowing for the people of Koh Lanta Noi… as the island will gear up for tourists… and the way might be lost.