Thailand Island Paradise – Bottle Beach

Posted by Lynn on April 9, 2015 in Accommodations, Beaches, Islands, Thailand | 12 comments

Paradise can be had for a song in Thailand, just head south…

After 10 days at a bare-bones silent meditation retreat, I needed to recover, meaning a beach, a cold beer and a hammock! Sabine, a woman from Germany that I met at the retreat, had reserved a little island bungalow on Koh Phangan for $16 a night and invited me to share for a few nights. $8 a night for paradise, how could I turn that down?!

Having heard about the wild full and half-moon parties on this island I was slightly leery, until she reassured me that first, the full moon  was just past, and second, this was on the north, quiet side of the island, far from the partying crowds.

The bungalows at Bottle Beach were rustic, but adorable, with a view of the ocean (as well as the accompanying whoosh of the waves), a comfy hammock on the small front porch, and the basic necessities such as (cold) shower and toilet, and a fairly comfortable bed. No AC, but it wasn’t needed as the ocean breeze kept you cool enough.

A few steps away, the restaurant offered cold beer or coconut water still in the coconut, and tasty Thai fare for a few dollars.

Smile Bungalows on Bottle Beach was one resort of four, so if you got bored with the food in your restaurant, you could mosey down to one of the other three, in your bare feet, bathing suit, and sarong, although the menus were about the same at all of them.

Tired of swimming, lying in the sun or hammock or getting a beach massage for $6? Then catch a water taxi to the next beach town for a few baht. It’s worth it for the boat ride alone, but once there, you can shop for sarongs or snacks, and enjoy the street scene with shops that offer one-stop shopping.

Or if you’re really daring, rent a scooter (I passed on that one).

The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular…

…as are the strolls down the beach, where even the seaweed is artistic.

Alas, I had other commitments, so I only stayed 3 nights, but it’s a place I’d come back to. I met several people from other countries (France, Israel, Germany, Denmark), many who come here year after year, some for as long as a month!

I could definitely see staying here longer, to write or read or paint, although if you have a need to be connected, it might not be your spot, as the wifi is slow, when it’s working, and there is no cell reception at all. But you can have an office with a spectacular view!

Too soon it was time to catch the ferry and head north to visit friends in Udonthani…