February 14,

We were up & about, going to breakfast at 0730 – early for us. I had fried eggs, sausage, toast, with fruit, and coffee. Jeff went for the omelet, sausage, toast, fruit and fruit drink. We were hungry this morning since we had eaten supper earlier than our normal; and we had a hike planned for this morning.

Around 0840, we loaded up on Cracklin’ Rose and drove south. We are going to the Mu Ko Lanta National park, which is at the southern tip. We had a couple steep 16-17% grades on the drive, up and down to get there, but they were short in length, thankfully. Again on the drive, looking out to the water is just stunningly beautiful. We also saw our first monkeys 🐒in quite a while! We arrived at the entrance of the park around 0920. The fee for foreigners was 200 Baht each and for Crackling Rose parking was 20 Baht, which was total of 420 Baht ($12.46). We parked and went to the Headquarters, saw a model of the park but that was pretty much it.

So we went out of the building and wondered to the lighthouse, first. It was out on a very small “island” the beach connects to it (at high tides the lighthouse is on its own island). Anyway, we saw a sign calling it the Pachchotiwachirapha Lighthouse. According to that sign, there was an original lighthouse, but it fell into disrepair and a new one – the one we see now – was built and opened in 1971, with a change to solar powered lights in 1990. We hiked out and up to it, but you can not go into it, once again. Supposedly it still lights according to the placard. It is not really tall, but the base area it was built up on puts it 31 m, or about 102 feet above sea level. The Royal Thai Navy Hydrographic Department maintains the lighthouse (or rather doesn’t, as it in such disrepair). It seems to be abandoned like the one yesterday. We saw the another set of cement stairs here, that went with the original lighthouse.

Now we went off of the lighthouse “island” and the beachfront area. We went to the horseshoe-shape trail hike. Another placard said it was 2,010 m long (6,594 feet, or a mile and two tenths) and it wonders through the tropical rain forest with its biodiversity of forest plants and maybe some wildlife. The hike was not that difficult (but steep) – many big steps around roots at first, then became a stone work pathway, with more big steps about 1/5 of the way in. It was steady busy with people, but despite this we did see more monkeys – “beggars”-  eyeing for handouts or a bag to snatch. We also saw some old growth trees identified by signs. We heard rustling that could have been lizards, but didn’t see any. Definitely we heard and saw birds the whole hike. It was a good hike, but it was very hot and humid.

When we finished the hike, we were sopping wet from sweating. So we went for a swim in the ocean. That was lovely and so cool. Finished and cooled off now, we decided to head out. So we hit the showers. The park has camping so it had showers you could use – nice perk! We went to the parking area. There were a bunch more scooters and we had to finagle to get Cracklin’ Rose out.🤣😂  Anyway, we hopped on and left the Mu Ko Lanta National Park. So glad we came it was nice to get out and hike about – great, little national park.

We drove out and stopped for light lunch at Sam Pinong Family Seafood Restaurant. We sat a table with great views of a beach just out of National park area. We had mushroom soup, and a Greek salad, with a large – much needed – water. I also a strawberry shake and Jeff had a Sprite. It cost us 400 Baht ($11.87).

We left here and went to Lanta Animal Welfare. Jeff had booked us on a 1330 tour of the first Animal/Vet/Adoption place on Koh Lanta. We arrived and were a bit early so we got to pet some sleepy cats. One of the volunteers started the tour. In 2000 a lady, Junie, came for vacation here on Koh Lanta. She came back in 2002, moving here, with a mission to help local soi dogs and wild cats that had overrun on the island and were in bad need of care. She set up the first cooking class on the island – Time For Lime. This generated and established income for animal care, vaccination and sterilization programs. That was very creative!🤗💡  Anyway, Junie works with locals, educating them, and starting the free, massive sterilization for the out of control populations of stray cats and dogs. She has since built a vet clinic here; set up an adoption program; and has these tours. All to help these animals. Local Thai people have backed her and this helps the whole situation. The animal welfare is not in the business of taking the animals out of their area and sheltering them. It is more about free treatment – only taking in those that are really bad (abused or injured) or special needs to hopefully adopt out. By us taking the tour, we have helped, as our ticket price funds the whole shebang! That is way cool and we got some pet therapy🐕🐶🐈😸!  The cooking class, Time for Lime, is still ongoing, but had major set back because of COVID, like the world did. It is still going – too bad we’ve already done a Thai Cooking Class (years ago).

We left and went back to our place and had a siesta. Around 1800 we went out for supper at Joe’s Texas Koh Lanta Smoked BBQ. We found it by accident, but so thankful for that flier that advertised it! The owner is from Austin & San Antonio Texas, and has worked for seven years to get this restaurant going. He does his own meat smoking and BBQ sauce. We ordered “The Dallas” entree that serves one to two people. It was Wagyu Beef Brisket from Australia (165 grams/5.8 ounces); Thai Pork Belly & Thai Pulled Pork (in the same weights) served with Potato Salad, Cowboy Beans, and French Fries. The smoked meats were spectacular (and recalling them is making my mouth drool). Joe’s BBQ sauce was great with a black pepper kick. The sides were good with the beans the best of them. I had a glass of red wine – a Shiraz, Jeff had a large Chang Beer. We really enjoyed that meal, and we met and talked with Joe. He just opened the restaurant in January 2023, after perfecting his process and sauce for the five years prior! We wished him well, and happily paid the bill of 1,595 Baht with 200 Baht tip ($53.41 total). We hope he is still open if we get back here!

We left here very happy and returned back to our place. We missed sunset, but we were okay with that fact. It was an eclectic day of activities, but very fun!