세계적으로 유명한 휴양지 푸켓이 있는 태국에서는 최근 보다 여유로운 시간을 가질 수 있는 카오락이 주목을 받고 있다.

먼저 푸켓은 1974년 제임본드 시리즈 “황금 총을 가진 사나이”에 나오면서 유명해져 “제임스 본드 섬”이라고도 불리며 많은 관광객들에게 사랑 받고 있는 곳이다. 그러나 전형적인 태국의 관광지 이외에 그 무엇을 원한다면 태국의 남쪽에 위치한 평온한 카오락의 해변에서 시작하는 것을 추천한다.

푸켓에서 북쪽으로 약 1시간 정도만 가면 팡아만에 위치한 까오락을 만날 수 있다. 이곳은 많은 여행객들로 붐비는 푸켓보다 보다 조용하고 잘 보존돼있어 최근 관광객에게 매우 사랑 받고 있는 휴양지이다. 3만 여명 남짓의 인구와 넓은 숲으로 둘러싸여있으며 그야말로 휴식과 안정을 취하기 더할 나위 없이 좋다. 한때 2004년 쓰나미로 인해 그 당시 뜨는 관광명소였던 카오락은 막대한 피해를 입었었지만, 수년간의 복구와 복원 작업으로 인해 자연의 아름다움을 되찾았다. 2006년부터는 다시 여행객수가 급증하고 있다. 

사람들로 붐비지 않다고 그저 해변에 누워 태닝을 하는 것만은 아니다. 카오락은 생동감 넘치는 활동 또한 제공한다. 태국에 가면 반드시 해봐야 하는 것들 중 하나인 코끼리 트래킹은 카오락 여기저기서 경험 할 수 있으며, 몰디브에 견주어도 뒤지지 않는 맑은 바다와 카오락 열대 국립공원과 카오속 열대 국립공원, 아찔한 절벽에서 즐길 수 있는 래프팅등 다양한 활동들이 마련되어 있다.

마지막으로 카오락에서 빼놓을 수 없는 여행 코스는 유네스코가 지정한 세계적으로 유명한 10대 다이빙 포인트로 꼽히는 시밀란섬과 수린섬이 있다. 카오락 부근의 타프라무 항구에서 스피드 보트를 타고 약 60km정도를 가면 나오는 시밀란은 아홉 개의 섬으로 이루어져 있으며 자연 훼손을 막기 위해 매년 11월 중순부터 4월까지 한시적으로만 개방이 되고 있다. 가장 대표적인 코스로는 스노클링 장비를 착용하고 바다에 들어가 한 시간 남짓 영화에서나 감상하던 바닷속 환상적인 자태와 바다거북들과 같이 수영을 하는 것이 있다. 



화려하진 않지만 해질 무렵 시시각각으로 변하는 노을과 별로 수 놓아진 저녁 하늘 등 아름다운 경치를 만끽할 수 있는 카오락은 몸과 마음의 여유를 느끼며 친구와 가족간의 여유로운 시간을 선사 한다.

하나투어 상품정보:

하나투어 [신상품]카오락 5일[골드팩]: 매일 출발할 수 있고, 6월 출발의 경우 비즈니스에어를 이용할 경우 르메르디앙 리조트는 999,000원부터, JW 메리엇 리조트는 1,049,000원부터 상품이 있다.

(코리아 헤럴드 줄리 잭슨 기자 /번역 서혜림 인턴기자)



<관련 영문 기사>



Relaxation, adventure and wildlife: Fun in the sun on the Khao Lak coast

Khao Lak revitalizes itself as an up-and-coming Thailand destination

By Julie Jackson/Korea Herald correspondent

KHAO LAK, Thailand -- For those looking for more from their next vacation than the typical tourist hot spot with familiar but photogenic locations, then the serene coast of Khao Lak in the South of Thailand is a great place to start.

Thailand is famous for having some of the world’s most picturesque beaches, most notably the island of Phuket, a popular destination for many vacationers looking to lie on the beach and forget their troubles.

Also referred to as James Bond Island after its appearance in the 1974 Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun,” this previously unknown area has since become a major tourist destination, flooding the waters, resorts and nearby attractions with surfers, divers and beach loungers.

However, just 83 kilometers to the north lies the coastal region Khao Lak. The area is set along Phang Nga Bay and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Thailand’s pristine beaches while avoiding the crowds.

What makes Khao Lak stand out from other areas in southern Thailand are its secluded beach-front resorts and the quiet, crowd-free coasts. With a local population of around 30,000, the heavily forested area is calm and peaceful with no hustle and bustle about it.

Some locals even refer Khao Lak as a great destination to experience the three B’s: Beach, bed and books; all things encompassing a relaxed state of mind.

In 2004, a tsunami struck the area, destroying most of the Khao Lak coast including the beaches, many resorts and natural foliage and wildlife. Reconstruction and rejuvenation efforts have been made in the area in the hope of recapturing its natural beauty, including planting programs to bring back the local greenery and agriculture.

At the time the tsunami hit, Khao Lak was one of Thailand’s fastest growing tourist destinations. Nearly a decade later, the locals of Khao Lak have made substantial progress in its recovery, increasing tourism steadily from 2006.

Aside from the obvious beach going and sun tanning, Khao Lak offers more adventurous visitors some memorable outdoor experiences.

One of Thailand’s most popular tourist activities is elephant trekking. Considered in Thailand as sacred animals, elephants often roam the streets of Thailand, and Khao Lak is no different. The region provides visitors with a number of locations to experience what it is like riding on top these gargantuan mammals. A small bench is strapped onto the large creature where people can ride in pairs while a “driver,” who sits atop the elephant’s head, guides the animal through the depths of the jungle. This titter-tottering ride is both pleasant and scenic and is a must for those visiting the country.

Another popular must in Khao Lak is the splashing and heart-pumping adventures of white water rafting. However, white water rafting below the hills Khao Lak is far from an ordinary rafting experience. Rafting here means gut-busting, laugh-out-loud moments with the local guides. Many ensure everyone a wild ride by purposely steering into boulders and even other boats like waterborne bumper cars. A change of clothes is also recommended as the boat guides are notorious for splashing and dumping riders off board, all in good fun of course.

Lastly, no trip to Khao Lak is complete without a day cruise to the Similan Islands, which often make top 10 lists of the world’s diving destinations. The islands are situated approximately 60 kilometers west of Khao Lak in the Andaman Sea and comprise nine small island clusters.

As for most tropical islands, choosing to go snorkeling and diving while on the islands is a no-brainer. Divers and snorkelers can experience the majestic awe-inspiring views of life below the surface with an array of colorful sea-life including swimming alongside giant swaying sea turtles. Visitors can take a speed boat from the coast of Khao Lak to the islands. Reaching Similan takes around an hour and a half and many tours offer programs for goers who wish to island hop.

Although Khao Lak is not a vibrant, bustling area full of glitz and glam, the region is relaxing, family friendly and offers plenty of activities for those who are looking to enjoy a little action and adventure with some of the most spectacular sunset views on the beach. 


Tour Information:

Hana Tour offers travelers with the “Gold Package” a round-trip flight plus 5-star, beach front hotel accommodation at either the Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort or the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa starting at 999,000 won and 1,049,000 won, respectively.

The JW Marriot in Khao Lak is a world class resort with a 3.5 km stretching pool that surrounds the resort and breathtaking beach front views. The Le Meridien is another secluded up-scale resort surrounded by palm trees and even has a baby elephant that roams around the resort area, including engaging in soccer practice right on the resort’s beach.

Hotel Information:

JW Marriott
Khao Lak Resort & Spa
Takuapa, Phang Nga, Thailand
jwmarriottkhaolak.com

Le Meridien
Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort
Phang Nga, South Thailand
Lemeridien.com.khaolak

(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)