Koh Yao Noi & Koh Yao Yai

ISLANDS:

We had joy, we had fun, we had islands in the sun, well mostly.

IDYLIC comes to mind on our stay in Ko Yao Noi. Views over the ocean and a beautiful bush setting. The accommodation was a superb wooden bungalow and the only time we shut a door was to keep rain out.
Our modes of transport on the islands were motor bike and feet.

Lots of walking locally and riding further afield to explore. Hardly any traffic so it was really easy to get around. At this time of year it is very quiet, resulting in many places shut. Minimal tourists meant that we had Hill House to ourselves and likewise Baan Taranya almost to ourselves.

Because both Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai are very under developed it is more like Thailand 30 years ago. Unfortunately on Yai there is plenty of development happening resulting in change very soon. Noi has some upmarket resorts but they are all very hidden away so no spoiling of the views or coastline.

Ko Yao Noi was amazing for birds, particularly Hornbills, not so much Yai (more Palm oil and rubber, less forest).

Huge Monitor lizards were wandering around the place along with numerous different squirrels. As for Butterflies, hard to explain how many, and how different they were.

Our favourite place to eat on Noi was the Sea Gypsy. But you had to cover yourself in Mozzie spray as there were many overly large ones waiting to get you. After the first time, we made sure not to eat early evening and to go before they started to bite.

The Sea Gypsy is well known for adding the pea flower to its rice as a result turning the rice blue.

On Yai, we met up with my elder daughter and family. They were staying at a resort the other end of the same beach. Great when tide was out but not passable along the beach if the tide was in. It was fantastic to catch up and spend time with them all. We went on a boat trip round the islands and the grandchildren loved the water.

As a result all in all a very relaxing 2 weeks, and another week with the family in Kata Noi, Phuket. After that our next adventure.

BIRD & WILDLIFE LISTS:

KOH YAO NOI:

Wandering around over 4 days, mainly around Hill House and the Rice fields near the pier the other side of the island.

Birds:
Asian Openbill
Black Eared Kite
Black Headed Bulbul
Black Winged Stilt
Blue Eared Kingfisher
Brown Streaked Flycatcher
Brown Throated Sunbird

Chinese Egret
Chinese Pond Heron
Common Kingfisher
Common Sandpiper
Eastern Cattle Egret
Greater Sand Plover
Grey Backed Shrike

Grey Headed Lapwing
Large Tailed Nightjar
Lesser Sand Plover
Oriental Dollarbird
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Ruddy Shelduck
Scarlet Backed Flowerpecker
Straited Heron
Tiger Shrike

Whimbrel
White Bellied Heron
White Throated Kingfisher.

Wildlife:
Grey Bellied Squirrel
Incredible coloured bees
Insects

Large Moths.

BIRD & WILDLIFE LISTS:

KOH YAO YAI:

Wandering around over 6 days, our resort and next door resort (Koh Yao Yai Village Resort – our daughter and family where staying there).

Birds:
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Black Naped Monarch
Blue Rock Thrush

Brahminy Kite
Common Hill Myna
Dark Necked Tailorbird
Ferruginous Flycatcher
Greater Coucal
Indian Cuckoo
Orange Bellied Flowerpecker
Pacific Swallow
White Throated Kingfisher.

Wildlife:
Large & Small Crabs
Long Tailed Macaque
Katydid
Water Monitor
Various Grasshoppers,

Butterflies and Insects.

THINGS TO DO

Hire a Scooter and check out the islands.
Chill out on the beach,
Have a massage.

WHERE TO STAY

Hill House Koh Yao Noi, 4 nights 1400B per night Bungalow 3. Our favourite place in all our stay in Thailand so far. Just loved our Bungalow, the views were incredible and the birdlife was great. We had the doors open all the time for the sea breeze. No other guests while we were her at the end of September. Great hosts, would stay again.

Baan Taranya, Koh Yao Yai, 6 nights, 1240B per night right on the beach with varied priced rooms – priced from front to back of block. Our room was in Block B, room 1 upstairs with a great view of the sea and resort. We think this the best room in the place, but it all depends on your own likes and dislikes. The restaurant was good but a little pricey. The only downside to the place was the total lack of English by all staff. Stayed end Sept/early Oct and during our stay there was a couple of odd nights with one other guest.

WHERE TO EAT

KOH YAO NOI:-
Sea Gypsy, Great food, lovely setting (bring mozzie spray). Average dish 120B
Rabiangaly, A bit hit and miss, some good, some not so good. Average dish 120B

KOH YAO YAI:-
Chill Chill. Best restaurant, every dish is amazing, good price, great staff. Average Dish 140B.
Baan Taranya. Good food, average dish 180B.