Koh Jum, Thailand's Island that time forgot.
If you are the type of traveler that needs all of the luxuries of home
and then some whilst traveling, then Koh Jum is really not for you. Jum, by the
way, is 'remember" in Thai and if you are looking for real out of the way and
far, far away from the workaday world then this is a destination you will not
soon forget.
It is, if you like, a land
lost in time-or the island that time forgot. At last report Internet
is still almost like a visit from outer space and we are really not
sure if electricity is widespread on Koh Jum. What we are sure of
though is the Island is very cheap and in spite of the Tsunami
tragedy of 2004, it is still cheerful.
Up and running at 100% again
are the Island's bungalow accommodation choices with a price that
can range anywhere from 300 Thai Baht to 1,000 per night. At writing
the Baht was just about 40 to the dollar and just under 50 to the
Euro. Translate that for value why don't you.
What's to do? Uh, how does
nothing grab you? This is an island paradise that lends itself perfectly to that
noblest of pursuits. You can just hang out, or swim in the crystal waters or
have a beer and/or some great Thai food and read. No TV mind. No discos, no
rated restaurants, no crowds….get the picture?Or, you can take a sightseeing tour by longtail boat, or you can go
fishing, or you can walk or hike, whatever. But be aware. Koh Jum is an unlikely
destination for business networking or to see and be seen. It is, in a word,
Thailand before it became one of the world's trendiest destinations. It is the
land that time forgot. Hurry and visit before time remembers 'remember
Island".
As it is an island,
Koh Jum can be reached only by boat. It is a scheduled service
either from Krabi Town or Koh Lanta. In either event you will be
deposited near the beach at Koh Jum where you will be met by
longtail boat. The latter by the way can be hired for a little
off-island sightseeing, even visiting Koh Phi-Phi. Expect to pay
around 1,000 Baht per 2-hour journey, depending on your friendly
negotiating skills.
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