Thai relaxation at full throttle – a culinary and beach-side treat!

Pattaya and Koh Larn: Where total relaxation meets a culinary sensation!

If you think that paradise on earth requires complicated logistics and spending a fortune, you’re very much mistaken. Sometimes all you need to do is head to Thailand, immerse yourself in the local flavours and let yourself be carried away by the Asian rhythm. Join me for a review of a place where the word ‘relaxation’ takes on a whole new meaning, and everyday worries are left far behind in Europe!

⛴️ A ticket to paradise for next to nothing

Let’s start with the absolute basics: getting around, which here is as simple as pie. Just head to the harbour to realise that for a mere 30 baht, you can catch a ferry from Pattaya to the nearby island of Koh Larn. That amount isn’t even the price of a decent coffee, yet it buys you a ticket to a completely different world! And once you arrive, you’re greeted by a spectacular, covered jetty adorned with a row of atmospheric red lanterns. A stroll along it, with a view of the insanely emerald waters, simply radiates that wonderful holiday vibe and seems to shout: “Yes, you’re finally here!”

Culinary ecstasy – we’re trying everything!

Let’s move on to the most important thing – food. In Thailand, it’s a national pastime, and on holiday there’s one golden rule: we eat anything that tempts us with its aroma and doesn’t run away up a tree!

Street delicacies: We’ll start with seafood straight from the grill. Grilled scallops and other seafood on a skewer, served with an irresistibly spicy chilli sauce, are an absolute hit. Do they look unassuming on a small paper plate? Think again! It tastes so good it makes your knees go weak, and your taste buds dance the salsa.
Soup of the gods: And now, watch out, the queen is making her entrance – Tom Kha Gai soup. No matter which little eatery you order it from, the result is always the same. Velvety coconut milk, the powerful aroma of galangal, strikingly fresh kaffir lime leaves and tender chicken taking centre stage. This isn’t just a meal. It’s liquid, coconut-infused bliss that heals the soul with every spoonful.

Chill-out with a capital ‘C’

Once your bellies are full, it’s time to put the only sensible plan into action, codenamed ‘sweet idleness’. The local beaches offer exactly what an overworked person needs:

Swaying in the sea foam: Could there be anything more relaxing than chilling out on a massive wooden swing whilst your feet literally brush against the warm sea waves? It’s the very definition of the perfect holiday. Here, a watch ceases to have any meaning whatsoever.
Beach signposts of life: As you stroll along the seashore, you may come across charming, rustic installations reminding you of what really matters. Wooden signs with messages encouraging love, laughter and dreams make for a wonderful holiday motto, especially as you walk barefoot on the wet sand with the wind in your hair.
Wonderfully far from it all: And if you ever find yourself wondering just how far away you are from everyday life – just take a look at the beach signpost listing the distances to the world’s major cities. It serves as a powerful reminder that you’re wonderfully, safely far from the hustle and bustle. All that lies ahead of you is the blue sky, golden sand and boats moored in the distance, waiting for their next island adventure.

Reviewer’s verdict