[Pattaya/Koh Larn] One-day trip with two children, solo parenting
In this report, I will share my experience visiting Pattaya, Thailand, this spring. I would like to document the places I visited during my 6-day, 4-night trip, which included an overnight stay in Bangkok on the way back.
First, we headed to Koh Larn, a popular island known for its beautiful sea, located about 40 minutes by ferry from Bali Hai Pier. For those in a hurry, there are also speedboats that take about half the time. The fare is just a little bit higher than the ferry.
Upon arriving at the island, we first secured a spot under a beach umbrella. I chose a front-row seat with a great view of the ocean, but depending on the time of day, the direct sunlight can shine in, and it didn't provide as much shade as I had expected. If you plan to stay for a long time, I recommend choosing a spot a bit further back!
This day was a solo-parent trip with my two children. I prioritized playing in the sea over exploring the island, and we dove straight into the highly transparent water! It was shallow and the water temperature was warm, making it feel so comfortable that we could have stayed in forever. The kids didn't want to get out either.
Along the beach, there are plenty of marine activities such as banana boats and parasailing. Compared to Pattaya Beach, the prices are relatively reasonable. This time, I wanted my younger child to have fun too, so I had them try the pink float towed by a jet ski, but... it seemed to be faster and more intense than expected, and they came back super excited, saying, 'I thought I was going to be thrown off!'
There are many convenience stores and food stalls along the coast, so you won't have any trouble finding food. After playing for a while, my son said, 'I want to try riding a speedboat on the way back!' However, speedboats are more expensive than the ferry. If I pay for that, I might not have enough money left for a taxi back to the hotel...
Thinking about going into the sea, I had only brought the bare minimum amount of cash in a waterproof pouch. (Sorry about that...🙏) Since prices in Thailand have been rising in recent years, it's safer to bring a little extra cash when visiting Koh Larn!
Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable one-day trip to Koh Larn. We will enjoy sightseeing in the city the next day♡😊