bucit / stray sufi: Ko Bulon, CNY Holidays 2011 (3~5/02/11)

We got to Pak Bara around 10 am local time and had about an hour to spend. There were quite a few Muslim restaurants nearby so we chose one and had simple lunch. I hope the following would help if you are going there:

Googling for info:
We explained why we chose Ko Bulon for this trip here http://bucit.blogspot.com/2010/12/to-satun-la-ngu-15910.html. And we used a few websites to search for info but the main site that makes us want to go there is this blog by Tezza http://tezzasthaiinfo.blogspot.com/2007/07/ko-bulon-lae.html. Please read there if you want detailed info.

I also read up a bit on tripadvisor and lonelyplanet but not much. While not an expert, I guess once we have been to a few places, we sort of know that the info we get is only for guidelines. No amount of reading would tell you that the roads in southern Thailand, though look small on Google Map, is actually better than some main roads in KL with its potholes etc.

It seems that the info provided by Thai websites could be more up to date so you may also want to read these sites:
http://www.bulone-resort.net/en/koh-bulon
http://www.pansand-resort.com/index.php
http://www.andaman-island-hopping.com/islands/bulon.htm

Briefly, Ko Bulon is about 23km from mainland and the main pier is at Pak Bara in Satun. Pak Bara itself is about 70 km from Wang Kelian border and it's a nice drive up there. Right after border, you won't find villages for the first few kilometres but after that it's alright. There's even a Tesco mid way which we sometimes stop for a break. As we know, KFC there is halal :).

The ferry is about 400 Baht one way ; takes about 45 minutes. The island is perhaps 1 km by 2 km. The net says there are about 100 Chao Ley families there. There's paved path that connects the main area. There's a mosque in the northern area near Chao Le Guesthouse.

Accomodations:

As Tezza list in his blog, there are about 11 places for accomodations here. The best location would be Bulone & Pansand or Pansand & Bulone depending on your preference J.

Pansand, School, Bulone, Bulone Hill, Marina are relatively close to each other near the beach area while the rest are considered on the other side (north) of the island. There a paved walkway from Marina to Viewpoint and others but it goes uphill for about 500m and it was a good exercise for us. Too good may be J, to be honest it is a little steep for unhealthy Malaysians like us but hey, it's good to have a little adventure in your travel eh.

Our first night was in a tent at Chao Le and I forgot to ask their normal rate. On 2^nd night we paid 1,000 Baht for a chalet/bungalow at Bulone Resort.

As I mentioned before, this place is fully booked when we got there. We also overheard another traveller saying, in all his 6 months travelling, he has not seen a place fully booked like Ko Bulon. Perhaps its reputation for a small nice beach is getting around.

As a small island, you won't find rows of shops selling the same souvenirs or all night bars (except at Viewpoint I think) but I think this suits me well. The crowd also was a good mix of young travellers and families. A sort of place you want to hang out on the beach with a good book.

some photos: