Here we are, arrived to Ko Pha Ngan, a small island in the Gulf of Thailand. We traveled almost 8 hours from Hua Hin by bus and then by boat (a high speed catamaran).

Arriving to Koh Pha Ngan

We rented a 2 bedroom house via airbnb. This traditional Thai house has a lot of open space and breathtaking views:

View from our terrace

Dining area

Relax

dining table, kitchen, terrace, even a shower – all are under open sky.

Terrace

Dining area

Open air shower

And WiFi works! Just a 10 minutes walk to the beautiful Thong Nai Pan Yai beach…

THIS is the beach!

We even got a cat. The owner’s cat (his name is Marmalade) decided to adopt us, and moved in to live with us.  We get along very well!

Cat Marmalade

Marmalade

The only thing is that we do not have A/C.  Actually, it is not missing, it is never planned to be a part of the house. Well, will try to go green…but it is sooo hoooot here!

A few days later, the weather has improved or we got adjusted to the heat. We like our place more and more. We even have a lotus flower in our garden.

In the morning a fresh juice on a way to the beach.

Fruit juice shop in the village

Fruit juice shop in the village – price list

BTW, I think the beach is one of the most beautiful beaches we ever seen.

Cool breeze

Lunch at one of the beach restaurant

And then a late lunch or early dinner on the beach (papaya salad & Pad Thai) before going home…nice!

Fresh salad at Vegan Cafe

Papaya Salad

Pat Thai

The prepared food here so cheap and delicious here; there is no need to cook in the house.

street food

Local market

street food

The fruits and vegetables in the village shops are at least three times more expensive than in Hua Hin.  Ko Pha Ngan is the island, and all has to be brought in from the mainland. That ever you do not buy, you (or your landlord) can get from the jungle and bring to your steps.

welcome fruit “basket”

Another gift from our landlord – bananas & papaya from the tree

Pineapple

Cashew nuts on the tree

Cashew nut

One of our friends asked if we selected Ko Pha Ngan for the famous Full Moon Parties.  LOL!  We are staying on another side of the island, and do not have any desire to see drunken backpackers.  The crowd on our side of the island is from Germany, Italy, Israel, UK and Australia.  There not too many people on the beach, and this what we like.

What about the cost of living here?  The housing – you can go as high as you want, and as low as you want.  We rented our 2bdr house via arbnb and paid $714 for 3 weeks including airbnb bookin fee. We rented a bike to move around the island (less than $5/day).  The food in the village is twice less expensive than on the beach.  The fresh juice is $1.5/ea, a plate of Pat Thai – $1.5 (in the village). The Pat Thai, papaya salad, and majority of the vegetarian dishes on the beach are approximately $3.5/ea.   “Exotic” stuff, like cappuccino could cost you from $1.8 to $3.00 per cup.  We spoke to a few expats from UK and Canada, and they are saying that their monthly budget for VERY comfortable living is from $1000 to $1,500.  I believe them.