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What Do We Do All Day? Haad Salad, Ko Phangan

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One of our readers wrote: I’d love to simply hear more about your day-to-day lives. What do your kids do all day? How does one spend six weeks in a remote place….I honestly have no idea. Don’t you (and the kids) run out of things to do? I just can’t fathom how you pass each day! Six weeks spent in random villages enjoying yourselves no less blows my mind  I’m your student now, I’ve subscribed and look forward to learning more. So what do we find to do on Haad Salad, a little beach on paradise island, Ko, Phangan, Thailand, for 6 long weeks without the distractions of work, school and chores? I’ll tell you.

 Haad Salad Ko Phangan What is there to do?
My view from the breakfast table, D (9) paddling out to Coral Island, seen behind.

Well that’s exactly the sort of question I like to answer, feel free to ask more, anybody, I will reply.

We’re talking about the six weeks we spent at Haad Salad Villas  on Haad Salad beach on Ko Phangan, Thailand.

It was a very relaxed, lazy time. The quieter life is, the more school work I do with the boys, we got through a lot.

There were a few busy days. We had our big day out in Haad Rin for the Full Moon Party and a few days where we’d hire mopeds ( we had a few issues!) and explore the island, maybe only 5 days, the rest of the time Haad Salad Villas was our home.

Finding Things to Do on Ko Phangan, for 6 Weeks

There is a Japanese guy called Kaz who lives on Haad Salad, he has his own  kids’ Pirate Ship anchored off the beach, we spent one day playing on that. Unexpected things would happen, like the day the monkeys came to pick the coconuts, we could just observe life and be interested in it.

We wouldn’t normally sit tight for so long, particularly in a place that worked out as fairly expensive, but Chef and his hernia forced our hand a bit. We were stuck.

Yes, I had bored days and fed up days and stressed out days. This is life, not a fairy tale, but mostly it was WONDERFUL!  We were really sad to leave this morning, we’ve left a piece of our hearts there with those lovely people ( although we’re delighted to be in Surat Thani, it’s surprisingly great to be in “real” Thailand, not a tourist area). There are a bunch of things to do on Ko Phangan, most of them are pretty touristy so we didn’t check them out, we just quietly got on with our lives and explored our end of the island. It’s pretty, quiet, sleepy even away from Haad Rin and time moved slowly

So this is what we did, mostly.

Around 4.00am I wake up, switch on the computer and start working on the blog, answering emails, contacting people, writing posts, trying to redesign and pimp up the thing. It’s a lot of work. I’ve been working really hard on Pinterest lately, I’ve put a lot of hours in on that and it’s paying off. This is my me-time, I enjoy the quiet hours while everybody sleeps.

There is also a lot of trip planning that needs to be done, flights, finding accommodation, booking *ahem* cruises! I could spend all day on the computer and never be finished.

6.00am to 7.00am The boys wake up. We have big cuddles and I realise how lucky I am. We just hang out ’till breakfast time. Sometimes D will read on the Kindle, he’s been re-reading all the Harry Potters. Sometimes they’ll put the tablet on and play games, sometimes they’ll get dressed straight away and go outside, our room is almost right on the beach and it’s perfectly safe. There is an amazing swing on the sand, I go and give them a push if that’s what they want. They’re boys, they like playing with sticks, making man traps, practicing stick fighting or pretend fire twirling or checking on the dogs and cats.

8.00am The restaurant opens. I like to go first by myself and have 5 mins with my coffee looking at the bay and patting my friend “old dog” before the boys come and disturb the peace. The restaurant is our living space, we like just being there. It’s social, there are people to talk to, workers and sometimes other guests. Once the boys arrive we order. Omelettes, porridge, pad thai, whatever we fancy. It usually takes over an hour for breakfast to be done with.

Haad Salad Ko Phangan. What is there to do?
2 octopus in a bucket. 3 fascinated small boys.

After Breakfast Sometimes D takes off on a kayak by himself. He’s grown up with kayaks. He paddles out to “coral island” and looks for shells. Sometimes I go too and we paddle further around the headland and look at the fish and the coral. The boys will dive down and grab sea cucumbers and put them on my lap. Nice!

A few times D went out with one of the workers, he kept the kayak steady while the young man dived down hunting crabs to eat. Boo isn’t much of a paddler yet, he’s not strong enough, but if somebody else is doing the work he’s happy to come for a ride.

Sometimes we play frisbee or bat and ball in the shade outside our villa. The boys’ skills have really improved. Sometimes they surprised me by building sand castles, we lived on a beach, they were never interested in sand castles.

Sometimes I go for my walk, either because we need something from the 7-11 in Haad Yao or just for exercise. There is a very steep hill to climb, the trip takes over an hour. One or both of the boys comes with me. I love talking to them as we walk, a lot of “school” happens this way. We find cool things like snake skins and interesting plants. We pick up rocks to protect ourselves from vicious dogs. We buy ourselves an ice cream or a yoghurt from the 7-11 and walk back.

After that we need a shower or a jump in the sea.

After going in the sea I have to shower the kids, rinse their rashies and shorts, hang them out to dry and get us all dressed again. Sometimes I do some hand washing, sometimes I organise laundry to be done for us.

If it’s not lunch time yet we can spend more time on the computers.

12am-1pm We’re thinking about lunch. We like to go to My Way, the restaurant next door, for lunch, the view is nicer and we sit at bamboo tables under shady trees, toes in the sand. I got into the habit of taking a book to lunch, our Explorers book. I’d read a bit to them or we’d flick through, look at pictures and chat. Sometimes we’d play Uno, Boo adores Uno. Lunch at My Way would take at least 2 hours, they were very slow! There was a little boy next door, his mum runs My Way, my kids played with him, running around playing cops and robbers. We have tom ka gai or green curry or massaman curry. We normally share a main dish between two. The kids have fruit shakes, sometimes I have a white wine if I’m feeling decadent.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Homescooling in action! Reading over a long lunch at Haad Salad’s My Way Restaurant.

After Lunch. Some days I’d read The Hobbit to them, a chapter at a time. One or both of them would be in the hammock on our balcony, I’d sit in a chair with my feet up. Some days we’d do a bit of school work, maybe half an hour each of written work or online learning. The boys also do things like computer animation or programming or just play a game like Zoo Tycoon, that really helps Boo with his reading. Some days we’d watch a movie or a documentary on You Tube as we sit outside. Some days I’d work and they’d use tablets or play with whatever friend was around. Some days I’d get all enthusiastic about cleaning and sweeping our room to get rid of the sand. Some days I’d ask for a room change and have to tidy everything up. Some days I’d go off and buy water, big heavy bulk packs. Some days we’d swim and snorkel. Some days we’d watch the workers fishing, they caught two octopus one day, that was cool!

Haad Salad Ko Phangan
Sunset cuddles.

5-6pm Dinner time! Chef and I liked to sit in the restaurant in the evening. Before he had surgery, Chef would play Thai volleyball or football with the boys and the young Burmese workers just outside in a shady spot. Post surgery, I’d do it! Dashing back in to our table for a slurp of beer or wine. Sometimes we’d play more Uno. Sometimes the boys had a sunset massage, 100Baht for half an hour, but the massage ladies liked the kids so they’d always keep massaging and chatting for longer. Sunsets are spectacular on Haad Salad, we always watched the light show. Dinner was long and leisurely. From time to time we’d have friends to sit and chat with. Sometimes the boys would play with the poodles, Pepsi and Cola, and their young Thai owner. They’d all laugh like crazy as the little dogs raced up and down the beach digging holes and the boys copied them. Boo said they ran like little aeroplanes, you couldn’t see their legs moving. If the tide was in, the Burmese workers would fish from the restaurant deck straight into the sea. The boys would watch or join in.

Haad Salad Ko Phangan
Playing, running and being free. On this day it was cops and robbers with two Thai friends.

7pm-8pm Bed. Boo liked to read and perform his favourite book to us at bed time. So cute! We got into the habit of watching an episode of Dr Who in bed, or a kids’ movie. Not always, sometimes Chef and D would read and Boo and I would be out like lights. D reads until he falls asleep, Chef switches the light off when he’s ready.

Sunset massage on Haad Salad beach

You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned Chef much. Post op he spent a lot of time lying down reading, he couldn’t swim or even stand up for long, but them’s the breaks. Before he was laid up he would run for an hour or so almost every day and go for long swims. Luckily he managed to go scuba diving to Sail Rock just before his hernia, it was a brilliant dive.

So does that answer the question? Thank YOU for asking.

It’s not much different to how we spent our days at home, minus work, cooking and housework. The days just disappeared, it was really lovely.

We’re back on the road now, we’re on our way to Malacca and from there to Legoland Malaysia, so there will be more exploring, some busy days and less relaxing, it’s good to mix things up.

So, just a reminder, if you’re heading to Haad Salad, Ko Phangan, we highly recommend Haad Salad Villas. We looked at everywhere else on the beach including a couple of self catering apartments and still prefered the villas. It was also the cheapest place on the beach for the 4 of us. Great memories, great times. We have posts on costs of staying on Ko Phangan and some of the dangers and annoyances we encountered there. Please be aware that this post is a good few years old now and things may have changed.

If you'd like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal!

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Aysharshal

Wednesday 28th of August 2019

Hi

We are planning a 10 day trip to thailand and planning to spend 4 days in Ko phangan. we missed finding accomodation in Haad salad villa and Haad Salad resorts. Can you please suggest some other resorts. Are these resorts all - inclusive ?

Thanks Ash

Alyson Long

Thursday 29th of August 2019

Sorry I can't publish your 2nd comment here as it will negatively impact my website. I think your itinerary is way too busy, even 2 very active and enthusiastic adults would struggle to fit in so much in 1 day in Bangkok - especially Amphawa - on the 2 days after a pretty taxing flight. You would be rushing around like crazy. Maybe if you booked an organised tour or driver to take some of the logistical problems out of your day.

Alyson Long

Wednesday 28th of August 2019

Haad Salad Villas is just a collection of little beach bungalows, beach side huts. If you're looking for other accommodation on Haad Salad look here. All Inclusive - I don't know if that exists on Haad Salad, but if it does it will say on this website. https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1643033&hl=en&city=17402

Joanne

Monday 29th of January 2018

Hi,

just came across your blog, and loving it! Thanks so much for the practical info on Haad Salad. We are staying there this July for 2.5-3 weeks with our kids aged 6 and 8, and so looking forward to doing nothing in particular for the duration.

I'm sure it has changed a little since, but wondering what's available in local shops? E.g any fresh produce, eggs etc for making simple snacks/brekkies at our bungalow where we'll have a kitchenette.

Cheers

Joanne

Alyson Long for World Travel Family

Monday 29th of January 2018

There is ( was) a sort of a warehouse type shop with some fresh produce, canned food. I think maybe meat. I really can't remember very well. Other than that you'll be walking to the 7-11 in the next bay . Or there is a Tesco in the main town, but as with most Tesco in Thailand they don't stock a huge amount.

Oli

Friday 15th of December 2017

H i Alyson! WOW just 2 days ago i found your site( through a post of a friend) and now I am reading thirstily your sharing. This post made me miss HAAD SALAD VILLA. We spent there 2 month this year and were heartbroken to leave.. the lazy routine was so good for us:) just to let you know that Pepsi and Cola are still young and beautiful and the water is still gorgeously blue. Thank you for this blog. I found it very useful and helpful to me. We are now in Hoi an . A family with 2 kids(5'8), started our year journey in the end of August, 2017.

Alyson Long for World Travel Family

Saturday 16th of December 2017

We'll be in Hoi An just after Christmas. Still there?

Allison

Monday 21st of July 2014

Wonderful reading about your family adventures. My husband and our son, who is only 4, are planning a RTW trip in two years leaving from New Brunswick Canada. It seems as though SE Asia will be the cheaper portion of our trip and we will want to take our time with it. Do you mostly bus between towns? Or fly perhaps? Keep up the great work!

alyson@worldtravelfamily

Monday 21st of July 2014

Buses, train, fly, whichever works out best and cheapest. A few backpacker mini buses too. There are heaps of options. We really enjoy the trains in Thailand, particularly the sleeper trains. Good luck!

Heidi (@WagonersAbroad)

Monday 16th of June 2014

Sounds perfect to me. Thinking about it for early August. Do you think this is the best location to stay on the island?

alyson@worldtravelfamily

Monday 16th of June 2014

Ko Phangan is a big island Heidi, it's not particularly cheap and public transport costs a fair bit. The songtaw "taxi" drivers know they have you over a barrel. Hiring mopeds is easy and costs little, but if you scratch one you pay through the nose. So..we didn't see much of the island, just neighbouring bays and that one trip to Haad Rin ( no way, horrible, but we enjoyed seeing the full moon party). All the bays down that way are nice, the one next door (?name), bottle beach is supposedly lovely and very quiet, only reachable by water taxi. We liked being on Haad Salad a lot and the accommodation we used was THE best value on the beach, we know that for sure, we tried them all. There are a couple of very upmaket hotels on the beach, too, if that is your want.

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