A HIDDEN PARADISE IN THAILAND
A Paradise Getaway at The Sanctuary Thailand…
Nestled in a jungle a hidden gem, away from the party goers, touts and full moon escapades of Koh Phangan lies a treasure unique and secluded, where strangely waking up to the crowing of roosters, the occasional monkey and even your local resident gecko create the perfect island paradise.
is the kind of place you plan to stay for a few days and wind up staying for a month! Whether it be detox programs, workshops at the tea temple, yoga retreats in the jungle or you just want to indulge at the spa and sip on a coconut whilst passing time, there is a little of something for everyone.
Staying in a Bungalow Nestled in the Jungle
I arrived at The Sanctuary Thailand having taken three flights, two boats and trekked over the hill with my backpack after the fishing boat dropped me off at the wrong beach. Needless to say it was a mission to get there and my initial two night booking got extended to four straight away at the reception.
What’s great about The Sanctuary is that they reserve some accommodation for guests who like to book in advance and some non bookable bungalows for guests who decide to stay on, which also worked out cheaper for me.
I was booked to stay in a hillside bungalow at around $55 a night for the first four nights getting a glimpse of the sea from my balcony through the forest. As a solo traveler this was a little overkill and I managed to move to a cheaper non-bookable garden bungalow which had become available for $28 a night.
Travelling alone, it wasn’t hard to make friends in a place like this. Guests arrive from all walks of life whether it be due to stress, burnout or after a breakup. For me it was stress, anxiety and looking to take better care of myself as well as building a stronger foundation by becoming more centered within.There’s a strong hippie vibe and whilst being my first time, it wasn’t uncommon to meet regulars describing it as their “fifth time in the last six years!”I even met one guy who had lost count as he’s been a regular for the past 25 years!!
The restaurant nestled in the corner of Haad Tien beach. Food is divine. There is no other word.Fresh ingredients are delivered by the supply boat and their exhaustive menu ranges from vegetarian, seafood to a raw vegan diet. Fresh green smoothies are made to order, curries, pad thai and MUCH more! I ended up staying three weeks and there was hardly a day where I picked the same meal twice. Or maybe that’s not entirely true… The Penang curry was waaay too delicious!The resident kitten totally chilling.
What was the Best Part?
Apart from spending a lot of time in hammocks, napping on Why Nam beach and getting the occasional massage, their daily yoga classes are some of the best! I became a regular at Peter Clifford’s class who introduced me to
. His presence was calming and he carefully adapted postures for all levels and abilities. Combined with the afternoon Vinyasa class by Ben, I felt myself becoming mentally and physically stronger day by day.
My little garden bungalow.Handy tip: When arriving on a fishing boat, ask the fishing boat to drop you off on Haad Tien in front of The Sanctuary. Sometimes they drop you off at the wrong beach and it’s a mission getting over the hill with your luggage.
Exploring Koh Phangan is Awesome
The natural explorer that I am, I couldn’t resist a day trip or two around the island of Koh Phangan. There is a fishing boat that leaves Haad Tien Bay in front of the restaurant and drops you off at Haad Rin. For it to be as cheap as possible you need around 5 or more people. It can be tricky when the weather takes a downturn, in which case you may have to take the overland truck or hike to Haad Rin.
From Haad Rin I took a taxi to the north of the island where you can walk across the lagoon to the island of Koh Ma. This little idyllic uninhabited island has a beach and attracts snorkelers. On the way back getting a drink on the terrace of the Amsterdam bar watching the sunset is a great way to end any day!
Be careful if coming back to The Sanctuary via a fishing boat. It can be hard to track one down late in the evening and when the waves are high the drivers are reluctant to take the boat out.
If you’re feeling adventurous you can hike to Haad Rin. There’s a beautiful view point where you can look down at the bay. Just be sure to take LOTS of water and
mosquito repellent!
AND try not to stop! The mozzies love to bite!
Landing on Haad Rin… Time for a coconut!
Around The Sanctuary
If you feel like leaving the bubble and going for a stroll Why Nam beach has a great vibe and equally you can try the next bay over and grab lunch or dinner at the Bamboo Hut. An open-air restaurant looking over Haad Yuan, they also have their own bungalows for rental.
For an easier hiking trail you can also climb to a cliff by taking a path that trails off on your way to Why Nam beach. There’s a great view of The Sanctuary and the jungle!My bungalow is in there somewhere!