Nok Island: A Sunset BBQ to remember

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Travel is my happy place, and sometimes when I travel, experiences happen which will stay with me for the rest of my life. When I’m old and coming to the end of my years, this night will be in my mind, wishing I could live it again.


We walked down to the beach to where hubs had hired a traditional long tail boat to take us to our (belated) wedding anniversary meal. It pulled in on the beach and I hoisted my trousers up, took my flip flops off, and waded to the boat.

‘Welcome Khun Hannah’ came the greeting from the ever friendly Thai captain. He was very worried about me climbing the ladder from the water to the boat with shoes in my hand so basically flung himself off the boat to get my shoes.

I boarded with no mishaps, followed by my husband who rolled on elegantly styling it out from a very definite mishap that resulted in a bleeding toe. We sat on the front of the boat, a warm evening breeze in our faces as we jetted out to Nok Island.

Riding out on our longtail boat

Nok Island is a tiny little island in the middle of Phang Nga Bay. It’s a prime sunset watching spot and the scene that greeted us was incredible. A little table, laid up with two beanbags and set for dinner, with lanterns all around, made me smile from ear to ear. There was another table down the beach from ours set up for 2 others as well, and in front of us a row of kayaks – we assumed awaiting a group for a sunset kayak completely separate to our BBQ evening (more on that later).

Our table set up for us

I was served a delicious Pina Colada as I collapsed in to my beanbag, unsure I’d ever be able to get up again. Hubs settled on a Chang beer. We were served bread and salad by our waiter, Khun Nook, as the light started drawing in and the beach stretched out in front of us.

Course 1

The other table down the beach pulled in and set up on their beanbags. It was an American couple and within 2 minutes we heard the man’s booming voice screaming as he ran across the beach – ‘will you move your kayaks, they’re right in our way’. He was careering across to the row of aforementioned empty kayaks and a terrified looking Thai local guide.

The guide replied with a firm no, and in response Mr Angry American (let’s call him Mr AA) started dragging the kayaks up the beach shouting ‘well you either help me move them or I’ll drag them myself’. I mean for goodness sake, this island is a public island and the sunset isn’t owned by anyone. I wanted nothing more than to storm over and tell Mr AA to get his head out of his *rse.

My husband and I couldn’t help but laugh, it was ludicrous. The waiter was very embarrassed (he was serving both of the BBQ tables) and the moment Mr AA had moved all the kayaks, 3 boats pulled up full of tourists. My husband and I were in hysterics imagining what Mr AA was going to do to them. Perhaps he’d push them back in to the sea, wrestle them to the ground, who knows.

My husband doesn’t like to appear on the blog, but here is a rare appearance to which he eventually consented

I was delighted when around 25 people went and stood right in front of Mr AA and his partner, who was now complaining about the sand in her shoes…not sure what she expected on a beach. We were having a lovely time our side with no-one in sight.

Eventually the group, of course, dragged the kayaks down the beach, got in to them and paddled out, leaving only us, Mr AA and his partner, a waiter and a chef on the island. We were served delicious BBQ chicken, lamb and prawn skewers as we watched Team Kayak sail out and get smaller against the ever falling sun. Mr AA had now calmed down as well thankfully, but I imagined absolutely hated having us giggling away down the beach.

Sunset perfection

After the skewers, we were served BBQ lobster with a jacket potato. A step up from my lunch time staple at home of a jacket potato with cheese and beans. At this point the sun was lowering and overhead we looked up to see hundreds of bats flying off the island. It was really quite special and a sight to behold.

Delicious lobster

As night set in, we finished up with some fresh fruit (and another Pina Colada and Chang beer), chatting away. I think when you’ve been married for a while conversation can become routine (how was your day, what’s for dinner, how’s your back) so it was nice to have 3 hours of conversation in to the night which we haven’t done for a really long time.

Night has descended

As we rode the longtail boat back in the dark, I reflected that I hope I never become a tourist like Mr AA, and hope to always see the world through excited eyes seeking new experiences, connections and cultures with patience and kindness. Thailand is a beautiful country, full of amazing people, and I am truly grateful to look back on this experience with warmth, happiness and memories for life.

This post concludes my Thailand series from my visit to Phuket. You can read more posts or re-cap HERE if you’re interested.

Stay safe and happy travelling everyone!

37 responses to “Nok Island: A Sunset BBQ to remember”

  1. What a glorious experience…. not to mention the free entertainment thrown in!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The free entertainment was definitely hilarous!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. So beautiful and romantic! What a perfect way to enjoy Thailand with a sunset dinner. Food looks incredible!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was such a special night 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Oh wow, I can totally understand why you’ll remember this moment forever!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was such a perfect evening to treasure 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Dinner and entertainment! Seriously though, I can understand why you’ll remember this special event forever.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Totally….though the entertainment was a bit on the dramatic side haha!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. He sounds like the ugly American. Sigh.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Nok Island, Thailand looks like a wonderful, romantic getaway, with a beautiful oceanside sunset blending into night. Thank you for sharing your splendid travel adventures, my friend 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Phil, it was a wonderful evening and definitely the best ‘dinner with a view’ I’ve ever had!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. What a special night!! Who knew you’d get some free entertainment 😉 but for real how ridiculous to act like a child in the middle of paradise! I kind of laughed when you mentioned routine conversation as a married couple, I feel that way when we go out to dinner sometimes. When we are with each other all day there’s not much new to talk about haha

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Honestly, it was so bad. Like seriously, you’re in paradise and there are a few kayaks which will quite clearly be sailing off soon – get over it. Oh totally….I think our most common sentences are ‘what are we doing tonight?’ and ‘what’s for dinner?’ haha!

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  7. The sunset colours are truly stunning – I am in awe! What a fantastic and memorable way to celebrate your anniversary. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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    1. Aw thanks Aiva, it was a beautiful evening I will treasure forever xx

      Liked by 1 person

  8. What a special end to an amazing trip. The whole experience (aside from Mr AA and his tantrums) seems magical with the views, the food, and the hours of reconnecting as a couple. It really is a gift to have that time because it gets so easy to fall into that routine conversation and busy to-dos. Beautiful picture of you and MTH. 🙂

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    1. It was such a lovely evening, I will always remember it with so much happiness 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Beautiful Hannah! Glad you had a wonderful time!

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  10. You visit some really amazing places. I am now your biggest fan 💝

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    1. Ahh you are too kind!

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  11. How enchanting Hannah and an unforgettable experience.

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  12. Incredible! This looks like an amazing time. And the pictures are beautiful. Wow!

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  13. What a wonderful way to celebrate your wedding anniversary, even if it was a bit late. In addition to the beautiful views, it sounds like you had some live entertainment with Mr AA. What a hoser. Your pictures of the sunset are stunning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh Mr AA kept us entertained for sure, it was an addition to the evening!!!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. A lovely way to celebrate your wedding anniversary. The food looks amazing and the view of the setting sun is unbeatable. Quite theatrical that Mr AA… People that make a spectacle of themselves… How old were the Americans, would you say?

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    1. It was really beautiful. I know….why do people feel the need. I’d guess late 20s, maybe newlyweds.

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  15. Yeeesss! That’s my idea of a romantic evening (well that’s now except for the presence of Mr. AA). But as you say, it can be a great reminder to make sure we never become THAT tourist! Beautiful post Hanna – happy belated anniversary! Oh, and I’m currently looking at the price of tickets to Phuket (you know, just for the sake of interest 🙂).

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    1. Hehe Mr AA was just the free live entertainment 🙂 I’m so glad you like the look of Phuket – it truly is such a beautiful part of the world!!

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  16. Awww what a fun evening, and happy anniversary! Nice to see your husband make an appearance as well. And yes, let us all hope we never become Mr. AA. Yikes!

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    1. Thanks Diana, it was a really special evening that’s for sure! And agree on Mr AA – not good!

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  17. 🙂 that’s great

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  18. Anonymous

    Absolutely perfect sunset

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  19. Gorgeous sunset, and what a lovely little table and dinner on the beach! I’m embarrassed by the American tourists acting like idiots. I try to hide from them when I travel!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I remember a few years ago we found ourselves in a restaurant with a load of awfully behaving drunk English people in Indonesia. I pretended I was German and didn’t speak English just to avoid being anything to do with them!!!

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  20. Amazing sunsets and beautiful shots. I love taking shots of the sunrises

    Liked by 1 person

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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