I visited Thailand a few years ago and wanted to share a get away with you.  Back in 2009, there were few resorts, restaurants, or bars and most bungalows had only cold water and fans. Air conditioning and hot water were a luxury. The island was rustic. Even on its most touristy beach during high season, there was hardly a soul around and a bar would be considered busy if it had more than five people in it. We spent four days biking the island, laying on the beach, gorging on cheap seafood, and watching some of the most unbelievable sunsets I had ever seen in my life.  Ko Lanta was paradise. A beautiful, seemingly unknown place located in a region known for being the epicenter of Thailand tourism. How everyone managed to miss this paradise with its long and wide white sand beaches, cheap food, and sunsets (the island faces due west) boggled my mind.  But everyone’s loss was my gain and those four days left a deep impression on me.