I guess the beach was too far for the owners of Blue Island Cafe บลูไอส์แลนด์คาเฟ่. They decided to make their own piece of paradise. A marvellous way to chill out for the day on the white sandy beach or inside a kratom beach hut.

Blue Island Cafe is located about 20 minutes out of Ratchaburi City or around 90 minutes from Bangkok depending on what side you are on. A side trip to Blue Island Cafe บลูไอส์แลนด์คาเฟ่ would be possible if you were traveling from Kanchanaburi south towards Hua Hin or the other way around.

The Menu at Blue Island Cafe

A reasonable selection of food available all around 99 baht a dish
All the house-made beverages are 69 baht the same price as the cake selection

I would recommend you try the Tom Yum Dragons Egg.

A reasonable selection of food available all around 99 baht a dish
All the house-made beverages are 69 baht the same price as the cake selection

Video Walkthrough – Please Subscribe!

Opening Hours

Thursday to Sunday 10 am to 7 pm
Closed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

Getting to Blue Island Cafe

Overall Thoughts

If you are in the area definitely worth dropping in for a drink or for the day especially if you need some beach vibes in your life.

The one thing that would be nice to see is for them to not use disposable packaging and plastic cutlery for every item on the menu. I hate using plastic single-use plastics at the best of times and felt a little bummed that our family created so much waste for our lunch visit.

I come to realise when trying to find accessible rooms in Phuket there was not a lot of information available. So I have compiled a list that I have physically gone and inspected and got as much information and pictures for you as possible.

Below you will the accessibility options for Novatel Phuket Vintage Park Resort, The Kee Resort and Spa, Sheraton Four Points Patong, Holliday Inn Resort Patong & Baan Khaolak Beach Resort

Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort Phuket

We spent 3 nights in this hotel during our stay. My mother the guest requiring the accessible room is on a walking frame and also uses a wheelchair in the room but is not wheelchair bound so the requirements of someone unable to walk at all may be slightly different.

About the accessibility

The lobby is on the 2nd floor. When you arrive you are required to drive up a steep ramp in a car. This 1st ramp would be a challenge for someone manually pushing. There is then a set of stairs and a ramp of medium steepness. 2 staff members would always push my mother up the ramp to the lobby.I felt reassured that if one slipped or fell over she was safe.

From the lobby, you will cross a completely flat bridge overlooking the swimming pool and pool bar. Take a left past the elevator. You will arrive at room 1210.

Breakfast is on the 1st floor. The best 2 ways we found to go from the room are

1 – Cross the bridge on the 2nd floor to the elevator closer to the lobby. Go down to the first floor walk to the left and you will find “The Square” dining room.
2 – Take the elevator closest to the room. The ramp to cross the bridge on the 1st floor is so steep we did not even consider trying to push the wheelchair up and over it. Out of the elevator turn right and walk around the swimming pool to the opposite side of the pool where the entrance to the “The Square” dining room. A slight annoyance of this way is there is a tile missing at the bottom of the ramp closet to the elevator making it a bump for the smaller front wheels to not smoothly roll over.
Option 2 Pictured Below

Accessibility to “The Square” Restaurant

This was a slight challenge during our stay There are 2 small steps to enter the restaurant. The biggest difficulty with these steps is they are about the same length as the wheelchair apart. So you only just get the wheelchair up on the 1st platform and need to get up the second step. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of this area.

Easy Access to Carpark

As above with option 2 (breakfast is on 1st-floor sub heading). When you get to the end of the swimming pool and turn left towards the dining room if you instead walk straight past the dining room there is a gate if you follow the “To Beach” sign this will take you to the car park via a small ramp on the entrance side of the car park. The car park security will try to guide you to park on the exit side of the car park when you go to park. If you park on the entrance side it saves having to enter your room by going up the steep ramp unloading your wheelchair from the car and then parking the car and having staff push you up the next ramp. We only went up the main ramp on check-in, Check out & the day it was raining when returned.
* Do note walking past the “The Square” dining room (not the entrance side) there is another floor tile missing that they have used to make drainage for air conditioners in the restaurant. This makes a slight annoyance every time passing this way.

Things to be aware of with this room

There is a small step entering the room as you will notice in the photos it is approx 4cm high.
There is a small step in the shower approx 3cm high to enter the shower although the rest is flat.
There are sufficient handrails and a shower seat made into the stone wall.
The room only comes in a twin single bed configuration
There are not many powerpoints (1 above desk, 1 double on one side of bed & Shaver plug)
There are so many light switches located all over the place.

Room to book

There is only 1 accessible room available in this hotel.
You must book the room grade Superior room.
Request room 1210 via email.
I would suggest you contact them prior to booking to ensure this room is available for your preferred period.

Night Blooming Lobby Bar

This area is flat from the lobby area. You are able to enjoy the area with a 2-for-1 cocktail in the evening.
Take a look at the menu click here

Overall conclusion

If you are wheelchair bound this room may not be 100% suitable for your needs. After a few steps into the room and into “The Square” restaurant. For someone on a walking frame or walking sticks the room is quite manageable. During our stay, we used a wheelchair that was pushed around by myself and managed fine. Whilst inside the room my mother on a walking frame felt really safe in the room. I will write to the hotel and suggest they modify the steps of the restaurant and the few in the room to be more suitable. In conclusion, we would choose this property again in the future for a semi-accessible room.

Video Link To Walkthrough

Check Price & Availability

Four Points by Sheraton Phuket

First I must disclose I haven’t physically stayed here. I viewed the room during our stay as I found out about this accessible hotel after we had already booked and wanted to check it out for future reference. If your looking for a 100% wheelchair-friendly venue this one definitely ticks all the boxes as far as the room is concerned.

About the accessibility

There are 2 ramps that enter the foyer one is much longer and less steep but both are of a good standard. The floor was completely flat all the way to the room with no need to use the elevator. I can’t comment on where the breakfast is held as forgot to ask.

About the room

The room had a new fresh feel. The bathroom was the most suitable of all the venues we have looked at. I believe this would be suitable for a wheelchair-bound person with ample space to navigate and move around. They may need to move the table and chair to free up space for access to the left side of the bed as the right side I don’t believe would be wide enough for the chair to slide down.

Access to Carpark

The car park is an underground 2-story park. It is less desirable to park in as is quite narrow with steep ramps and narrow parks. I didn’t enquire if there were any accessible parks please feel free to let me know and will update here.

Room to book

We physicality inspected room 1106 which is what all photos and videos are from. They said they have about 5 accessible rooms in Superior Room Grade and there is 1 Deluxe Accessible room. Although she sounded very unsure the Deluxe would ever be available. I’m pretty sure she said only came in a double bed configuration. Please check directly if you require otherwise

Overall conclusion

Although I didn’t physically stay here or have a wheelchair to push around. I believe this location would be suitable for someone wheelchair-bound. A slight modification of removing the table and chair may be required. The bathroom should be manageable. For someone like my mother on a walking frame, she would manage easily although I believe she would prefer an additional verticle rail in the shower.

Video Walkthrough

Check Price & Availability

Holiday Inn Resort Phuket

Again I would like to acknowledge we didn’t physically stay in this hotel just inspected the room.

About the accessibility

The location is flat from the reception. You are required to use the elevator to get to the accessible room.
The pool is located far away from the room. My walk to the swimming area had a way with no steps.

About the room

Whilst the room was set up well for someone like my mother on a walking frame. I’m not 100% sure the space is open enough for a wheelchair-bound person. The distance between the end of the bed and the wall may not be sufficient. The location of the room was quite a distance from the hotel lobby requiring 1 elevator trip.

I believe they stated there are 2 accessible rooms available. The one I inspected was room 403. They only come in twin single-bed configurations.

Why we didn’t stay here

Whilst the accessibility factor for a walking frame user would have been perfect. For the price point, this hotel didn’t have the WOW factor compared to the Novotel Vintage Park hotel. Once entering the hotel you walk through dark hallways to the room with no nice views like the Novotel. As I came and inspected this hotel and the Novotel prior to the trip with my mother this influenced the other hotel although this may have been a bit better accessibility-wise.

Video Walkthrough

Check Price & Availibility

We stayed here for 2 nights. I was unable to view the room prior to booking as was booked the days I was there but went on a whim of seeing a person in an electric wheelchair in the foyer. There is a ramp from the car drop-off straight up to the foyer.

The Kee Resort & Spa Patong

Overall thoughts.

I would not recommend this hotel for anyone requiring accessibility let alone wheelchair accessibility. There is a major issue with the air conditioning making the floors have condensation and super slippery.

Whilst there are no steps into the room or bathroom the rooms as they have installed ramps one room is a slippery tile ramp and the other is a grippy ramp.

I have bought a list of issues to the General Manager of the hotel and will leave it for him to rectify. He has responded to me in a positive manner although accessibility wise it is not an ideal hotel. The location is the reason I took a whim without looking at the room.

There are 2 ramp bridges over the swimming pool to get to the room. 1 is quite steep and the other one hidden on the other side of the restaurant is better but often cluttered with stuff from the kitchen having to get them to move stuff on multiple occasions.

Room to book

Should you still want to book these rooms the room numbers are 3207 & 3208 which are joining rooms. But the door joining the rooms does not open properly from the swelling of the door from condensation/water on the floor.

The main differences between the rooms are
3208 has a grippy ramp rather than a slippery tile one of 3207 into the bathroom.
3208 has rails next to the toilet whereas 3207 does not.
3208 has a slight ridge (step) into the shower whereas 3207 had some kind of stainless steel rounded step which I’m not sure what the purpose was.

Video Walkthrough Room 3207

Video Walkthrough Room 3208

Check Price & Availability

Baan Khaolak Beach Resort

This hotel is not actually in Phuket, it is approximately 70km from Phuket International Airport. I have not personally been here but have found out about it since going to Phuket. This hotel is 100% catered to wheelchair users. They have the chair hoist into the pool and a beach wheelchair that I believe can go into the sea as well.

These are some photos I have taken from their Facebook page credit to the respective owners

Website

Please click here to go directly to the hotel’s website.

Please click here to go directly to their Facebook Page

If you search google for the below phrase will get a lot of different videos
Baan Khao Lak beach resort wheelchair video

You will also find some information regarding wheelchairs on the “Accessible Phuket” page which can access by clicking.

Check Price & Availability

Other Helpful Equipment

We ordered a bed stick of Lazada. Prior to our trip to Thailand. Mum uses one at home and for under 1000 baht ($40 AUD) delivered made her travels a lot easier. It has 2 clips that pop out so it can be packed flat and fit in our (large) suitcase afterwards.

Another device we found to make the toilet in the room better as the toilets are quite small standing about 30cm from ground level was a toilet seat booster that just clips on the toilet seat.

Whilst postage is fast in Thailand generally the next day or so do note the Toilet Seat booster we ordered came from china and took about a week to 10 days to arrive in Thailand. You could order these things dirrect to your hotel to hold for you if you are in need of them. It’s what we have done and mum thanked the heavens I did.

Know of somewhere else not mentioned?

I would like to keep this page as relevant to the topic as possible. If you know of another Hotel in Phuket or Thailand please comment below so I can investigate further.

Check Out Our Other Thailand Posts

My Thai wife always told me there is no way to get to Khao Sahn Road easily using mainly the Sky Train network, On my last trip to Thailand as I was arriving alone I thought I would try the trip I mapped out as there was no easy google map auto prediction of the journey taking you strange ways to which seemed to be quite straight forward.

If there was more than 2 person would probably be cheaper to just get a taxi but depending on Bangkok traffic may not be much faster. Which would be approx 330 Baht (including the airport fee of 50 baht) but excluding the Tolls which may be needed depending on the time of travel and usually insisted by the taxi driver.

How much does it cost?

If traveling solo will be approximately
120 Baht
This is calculated by
35 Baht Airport Rail Link
35 Baht MRT
50 Baht Taxi

Total Being approx $5 Aussie, $3.40 USD, £2.8 pound, €3.30 euro, ¥23 Chinese yen, ¥458 Japanese Yen

Simple Explanation of route

1. Go to the bottom Floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport
2. Pay 35 baht per person at the Airport Rail Link gate.
   to go to Makkasan Station.
3. Ride 5 stops (approx 22 mins)
4. Exit the pay gate & Follow Signs to walk to Phetchaburi MRT station (keep left along skywalk)
5. Buy a ticket for 35 baht to Sam Yot Station
6. Go down Escalator and get on Train on SIDE 1
7. Ride 9 stops (approx 18mins)
   – *NOTE* The 1st station you stop at should be Sukhumvit station if you got on the wrong side just transfer here to the opposite way.
8. Follow signs to Exit 1 at SAM YOT MRT Station
9. Get a taxi from the exit at the stairs of exit 1. You will be heading in the same direction of the road as at exit faces.
   – To Khao San Road Meter cost Approx 45-50 baht (Approx 8 Mins)

Detailed route

1. Go to the bottom floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport and either take the flat escalators or elevator. Note there are not many elevators around and often are full and take a long time usually quicker to just take the long flat escalators.
2. At the gate, you will pay 35 baht per person either to the counter or machine and select Makkaan Station scan your token at the gate
3. The airport line is the end of the line so you can board the train on either side. Be aware once the train arrives and people disembark they will close the train doors and do a security check and clean before you board. These trains arrive around every 8 mins in my experience.
4. Ride 5 stops and get outGo to the bottom floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport and either take the flat escalators or elevator. Note there are not many elevators around and often are full and take a long time usually quicker to just take the long flat escalators.
5. At the gate, you will pay 35 baht per person either to the counter or machine and select Makkasan Station scan your token at the gate
6. The airport line is the end of the line so you can board the train on either side. Be aware once the train arrives and people disembark they will close the train doors and do a security check and clean before you board. These trains arrive around every 8 mins in my experience.
7. Ride 5 stops taking about 22 min getting off train at MAKKASAN STATION
8. Take exit 2 and follow the signs to Phetchaburi MRT station the walk will take approx 5-7 minutes. The signs are very visible and follow the crowd of people as most will be heading the same way
9. Purchase a ticket/token to SAM YOT from vending machine or counter at the gateway
10. Go down the escalator and get on the train on SIDE 1
11. To ensure you have entered the correct train you will stop at Sukhumvit station on the first stop. If you happen to get on the wrong side just transfer at the next station
12. From Sam Yot, you will ride 9 stops taking approximately 18 min
13. Once you disembark at Sam Yot MRT Station you will head up 2 really long escalators and want to head to exit 1.
14. Once you pass the pay point place your token in the exit gate and walk to the road. You will be on the correct side of the road so just head down the 4 or so stairs and get a taxi directly out the door
15. The taxi will cost approx 50 baht. There is no taxi stand here but they will frequently pull up if none here. You may also opt for a Tuk Tuk but you will have to negotiate a price before you go otherwise you may get a shock of 200 baht+ when arriving. Generally a TUK TUK will cost more.
16. You will arrive at Khao San Road in approx 8 mins

If you are looking for some nice cheap eats, coffee and farm animals you should stop past Pin Fah Farm ปิ่นฟ้าฟาร์ม. If you live in Thailand they have a large garden section too you can buy a range of plants and gardening supplies. We purchased half a dozen small cactuses to decorate our bathroom.

Great place for children

If you have children with you there is a range of activities that will keep them entertained at Pin Fah Farm. They seem to have a small water park for smaller children. It was empty at the time we visited maybe because of coveit19 situation.

They have a petting zoo at Pin Far Farm ปิ่นฟ้าฟาร์ม

There is also a small petting zoo. You can either enter the safe way through the gate or across the bamboo bridge. I was a bit sceptical of crossing the 2 pieces of bamboo tech screwed together. I thought I may end up in the pond but rest assured it held my 80+kg weight and the handrail piece that had broken off didn’t stop me. Inside the petting zoo were rabbits and chickens. To the side, there is a sectioned off part of the pond with ducks and geese.

Feed the farm animals at Pin Fah

There is a range of feeding activities for the kids for around 10/20 baht (50c/$1). You are able to bottle feed Koi fish in a pond, hand-feed the pony, goats, peacocks, chickens and the ducks. If you turn left down past the koi fish feeding there is a cage of a pair of white doves. I walked down further but it seemed still under construction

Paddleboats for hire at Pin Fah Farm

If the animals are not enough to keep you entertained you can rent a paddleboat for 2 and paddle around the lake in the middle of the venue. I remember seeing a sign saying 50 baht for the boat hire but I am unsure of the conditions. I was glad to see they had a range of life jackets available as well.

The food is well priced at Pin Far Farm ปิ่นฟ้าฟาร์ม

The food was extremely cheap for a venue like this and the locals knew it. There where a lot of tables and not many of them where empty. To order food you have to write it on a piece of paper what you want and take it to the cashier pay and all the food arrived extremely fast.

They have cheese!

I was craving some cheese and indulged in their cheese balls and cheese fries with cheese sauce. So healthy I know. Then washed it down with a bowl of their famous boat noodles (black soup) and we all snacked on a plate of Satay. They have some simple food for kids as well like nuggets, chips & wings.

Seating arrangement

Pin Far Farms has tables, hammocks and sala’s (gazebos) located all around the lake. Some of the sala’s are over the lake so make sure you secure your valuables if you choose to sit at one of these. We almost lost a phone to the fishies.

How to order at Pin Fah Farm

If you are not with someone who can write or read Thai you can translate the menu if you have an internet connection with Google Translate App. Just select the camera icon and hold it still over the menu and it will translate on the fly. There were ample waiters if you pointed to what you wanted I’m sure they would fill out your paper for you.

Getting to Pin Fah Farm

Coffee Shops that will make you go WOW!

Baanna kafe บ้านนากาแฟ coffee shop is not called banana cafe as your eyes may trick you to reading. We stopped past last year but realised we only explored half of there venue. Once you walk past the lake through the pine trees down the back there is a big hill that has some magnificent view overlooking the mountain and rice field.

If you turn the other way on top of the hill you can overlook which looks like accommodation of caravans all parked in a row with a little wooden bridge going to a small island. It looks like there used to be an island of sunflowers although they are all pretty sad looking now.

Overlooking the lake there is a platoon with a table and chairs if you wish to have the floating feeling whilst slurping your beverage. In the lake is a still floating duck paddle boat which has started to fill with water.

You may purchase some fish food for just 10 baht (50 cents) and feed the hungry koi fish in the lake. There is no shortage of fish as you can see below.

Baanna kafe บ้านนากาแฟ have a small selection of food and cakes to enjoy. Luna sampled the soup which was simple but tasty. As well as cake!

Baanna cafe have a Great Dane dog strolling around freely who is very friendly although he may check you out for a snack if you have food in your bag. He loves a good old scratch on the back and he loves to take selfies with you.

Inside the coffee shop you can rent a picnic basket that has a blanket, empty wine bottle and some fake fruit if you wish to have a photo shoot anywhere on the venue. The cost is just 20 baht for as long as you are there.

Getting to Baanna Kafe

As a tourist, I never realised how many amazing coffee shops there are scattered around Thailand. Now that I am living half the year here I find my family members on their days of love to go to visit the jaw-dropping ones. We are obsessed with driving all over Thailand & our friends can never keep up what province we are in.

This page will be an index of all of the posts. I will update this post after going to a new one so be sure to check back.

If you know of a good one I have missed please comment below!

Southern Cross Cafe

At Southern Cross, as you walk in you are greeted by the petting zoo of statue animals. Although the food is what makes this place stand out. Almost everything is made to order there and the best flavours of International and Thai cuisine can be tasted here.

I have almost made it through there whole menu you can read about it here

Moai Coffee ร้านกาแฟ โมอาย คอฟฟี่

Escape from Thailand to the Easter Islands for just long enough to take some photos. We saw this place on the drive camping in Suan Phung and stopped on the way home. I would not go out of my way to visit here but if it is on your way to where you are going definitely stop through.

If you want to see more pictures I from our visit CHECK THEM OUT HERE

House 1,000 wood Cafe & Farm – บ้าน ๑,๐๐๐ ไม้

Alongside the Bang Toei river is the great cafe and small farm. It has some fun free activities for the kids like getting water from the well, sandpits and has never-ending beautiful photo spots. If you are traveling from Bangkok to Ayutthaya or vice versa this would make a perfect stop for a bit of chill time.

If you would like to see my full post click here

Baanna Cafe – บ้านนากาแฟ

Baanna Kafe is in a beautiful location on a large rice field with a backdrop of mountains. There is an endless photo opportunity for a great photo and there is a resident Great Dane who is ever so friendly.

Our previous post on Baanna Kafe is here

Na Krung Kao – นากรุงเก่า

Na Krung Kao would have to be the biggest coffee shop/ restaurant we have been to in Thailand. The grounds have been designed over many rice fields to truly leave people wowed! If you were traveling from Bangkok to Ayutthaya this would be a great choice to stop by for a look!

If you would like to read more about Na Krung Kao I have a post here all about it

Menna มีนา cafe’ Kanchanaburi

Thai people love to do a day trip to Wat Tham Suea. Followed by a stop to the famous noodle cafe and Menna Cafe. It is a beautiful site located in Kanchanaburi overlooking a rice field and you can see the temple at the top of the mountain. I recommend you do all 3. But this post all about coffee shops so you will have to read about on the link below

You can read about this day trip here.

Ma Ha Cafe Boon – มา-หา กาแฟบุญ วัดหุบกระทิง

Ma Ha Cafe Boon is a great project that was started by the local temple. The head monk had a vision of empty land to be transformed into a paradise that benefits their community as well as teaches farming techniques and the way of Buddhism. That’s right all the profit goes back into increasing this project and supporting the locals.

You can read the full story here and check out more pictures of Ma Ha Cafe Boon – มา-หา กาแฟบุญ วัดหุบกระทิง

Tara Coffee ธาราคอฟฟี่

Tara coffee has a relaxing vibe to it with bean bags to chill on next to the Mae Klong river. Their menu is all presented with love. They truly give 110% in the presentation of food.

Check out my previous post on Tara Coffee here!

Rain Tree Coffee

Rain Tree Coffee Shop was one of the first themed coffee shops I visited outside of Bangkok. I really enjoy walking around there garden and looking at everything. You can combine a trip here with the unique77 as they are next door to each other

You can see my previous post here definitely worth a look

Unique 77 Cafe

If you are a car enthusiast Unique 77 is the place for you to go. The owner has a private collection of ever-changing cars you can go and drool over. Located next to Rain Tree Coffee why not just do both?

Check my earlier post about Unique 77 and see more cars!

Cafe Chedi – คาเฟ่-เจดีย์ – Suphan Buri

Cafe Chedi คาเฟ่-เจดีย์. It is located along the Song Phi Nong river overlooking the Sapan Khong Floating Market. If your feeling adventurous, They have hammock style nets to chill in overhanging the river.

Check out my full post on Cafe Chedi here!

Pin Fah Farm – ปิ่นฟ้าฟาร์ม -Pathum Thani

On the border of Ayutthaya district is this great farm where you can enjoy the surroundings of nature with some activities for the kids. The food is cheap, There is a petting zoo, paddle boats and can also feed the fish! Enough to keep everyone entertained.

Read more about pin far farm by clicking here

Whilst we were traveling north of Bangkok we come across this little but delightful coffee shop Cafe Chedi คาเฟ่-เจดีย์. It is located along the Song Phi Nong river overlooking the Sapan Khong Floating Market. 

If you wish to visit the Sapan Khong Floating Market it is only open on weekends from 9 am to 6 pm

Cafe Chedi is not a large venue with sitting no more than 20 outside and a few small tables inside. Although I highly recommend stopping in if you are passing through Song Phi Nong province. Their coffee and cold beverages where all received high praise from our group of 5.

If your feeling adventurous, Cafe Chedi คาเฟ่-เจดีย์ have hammock style nets to chill in overhanging the river. Just make sure you have nothing loose in your pockets or it may become fish food.

You are able to purchase a generous bag of fish food to feed the massive fish in the river for just 10 baht (50c)

Along the drive from Bangkok, we came across a big jewelled Buddha just by luck. It was very beautiful and if you are driving this way you can’t miss it. A map to Wat Don Manao can be found here if you wish to stop by.

Getting to Cafe Chedi คาเฟ่-เจดีย์

Check out our other coffee shop reviews!

If Bali is your 1st overseas journey, or even 1st time to Asia. Here is a guide to ease the culture shock after getting of the plane. A local Bali Sim Card to avoid roaming charges can be waiting for you before you leave the airport for as little as $10

This is my standard process I do each time. It can be especially stressful if you never been to Asia before having people approaching you and offered 100’s of taxi rides with stupid prices (which may seem reasonable to you compared to home but really 10x more).

Before arriving to Bali

Minimum 24 hours before I get there I like to pre-order my sim card(s) and pre-book my journey from the airport. Now there is no issue getting a taxi from the airport, I just grew tiered of the bartering and the “lots of traffic today price more expensive” story. To be honest the prices are about the same if you get real price but if your new to Bali or just want a stress free option the best way to get real price is pre-book. Again sim cards are available at inflated prices at the airport. You will find them at vendors on the street also but may not get a honest price. Recharging once have a sim card is a simpler process. Trust me I have been there and been scammed all before.

Fast Track and VIP Service Assistance

You can hire someone to take care of immigration and have VIP treatment. It’s a great way to start your holiday and avoid the line at immigration. To book this for as little as $45AUD or $30 USD p.p check it out here.

They also offer the VIP service for flight transfers International to Domestic, International to International helping you with immigration and your luggage.

Important to note – Infants & children will be charged at the same Adult rate and the price is per person.

How I book Sim Card & Airport Transfers

Take a look at the picture below and determine what zone your hotel is in. This will determine the price in next step
Note – The price does not include the road toll if you take it but dont worry its only 11,000rp = about $1. This will only apply if you are heading south Bali like Nusa Dua and the drive over the ocean is amazing! (4,500RP for motorbike)

Now click here to open a new window to book the airport transfer.

You can either press the orange button

“select options”

or just scroll down to “Package options”

select your scheduled flight arrival date and the zone you determined from above map.

You will now get the car/van size options to determine what suits you best
Now you can book the Sim card(s) here at the same time but check the book a sim card link below first as if they have a promotion on which sometimes they do the promotional price wont show up if you bundle it with airport transfer from above link. Tricky huh! But if the same just bundle it!

Organising just a Bali Sim card

To book a sim card only and pick up from the same people at Bali airport..

Portable hotspot option (Sim card wifi)

If you want just one for a group of up to 5 persons you can hire a hot spot
but do note this is a daily charge with a max 1.3gb per day for a minimum of 3 days . So good for social media and emails but definitely not enough for watching videos or Youtube. They tend to have a battery life of around 8 hours. Good for when your out and about in between places. Just make sure you connect to wifi at the Hotel and Restaurants. Also check your Auto Updates are switched off on all your phones. You will also have to return the hotspot when leaving to get your deposit back. *TIP* If you have a power bank you can charge it on the go so it will last over 8 hours.

How to recharge after the data runs out

The sim card can be recharged many places. Look for the words ” Jual Pulsa” or just “Pulsa” which means Buy(Jual) phone credit(Pulsa)
You will see these words everywhere now you know what they mean.

When arrive at Bali airport

So after you have your bags, and cleared immigration you will suddenly walk and feel the temperature change because you are outside now. There will be a rail with what seems like hundreds of people holding signs with names on. Just look for the orange shirt and red sign with either your name or KLOOK written on it. There wont be many wearing orange usually only the Klook workers. If you can’t see them which has never happened to me walk around so your on the other side which your going to have to do anyways.

Show them your booking on phone *Tip* Screen shot your booking so can find easy with no internet connection. They are going to want to take a photo of the booking for sim card. Then give them your phone and they will set up the sim card right there in front of you.

Express to hotel

Your driver will take you and your luggage to your booked vehicle. Which wont be a old bomb which can happen if you haggle with a driver because your to busy worrying about price than what vehicles going to take you there. Yep this is happened to me to. They will normally ask you to wait near the elevators if they parked a little away. This is perfect because the car should be icy cold by the time it arrives.

Hiring a driver after airport trip

A lot of airport drivers will try offer you services with them self or maybe a family member. Whilst there is no problem with that I highly recommend you use Yogi or his team from Bali Recommended Driver. I have used Yogi for many years now and find him fantastic. Recent times have used others within his company and have been magnificent. Rest assured you are in safe hands with Yogi.

Hopefully this has made the start of your holiday a stress free one

I have learnt the hard way as I had no one to guide me. Have a great time, Eat lots of Satay in Bali they are amazing , and check out my other posts on Bali

If you want to know the first restaurant and meal I eat every time I go to Bali check out this post!

Free Mega Guide

You have made it this far. A gift of my Travel Tips and how to navigate Bali like a Pro. Even if you been to Bali before you may pick up some handy tips just click picture below!

I never thought I would walk such a dangerous yet beautiful path for a coffee. The lush never-ending lily field with a raft of ducks running through the shallow muddy waters as we ventured closer to our destination. A tall tower in the far distance overlooking the plantation I am sure to conquer after replenishing my thirst of a much-needed coffee after my hour drive through the chaotic narrow soi’s of the rural roads. เวียน เดอ บัว คาเฟ่

A brief thought as crossing the rickety bamboo pathway “Is this going to hold my weight” as a bamboo panel becomes dislodged as we cross.

We arrived at the cute little coffee shop where there where a paddle of ducks leaving just as we arrived. Upon entering to the swift sounds of jazz music and a swing to take the perfect photo.เวียน เดอ บัว คาเฟ่

Climbing the tower of terror with the mother in law had a design that completely freaking us both out. The steps are spaced further apart than comfortably normal with nothing to break your fall other than the grass on your ass below. The slight sway as if we where a leaf falling from a tree in the storm that approached us. The view is worth the risk I must say

As we walked back from the tower of terror we took a safe path along the dry land. The path of a hobby farm where we witnessed the farmer watering his crops with a hose way past its expiry date to find a bucket catching the leak only to overflow into the lake below.

As we returned to the car the storm had set in and we said goodbye to the smiling cows and farm animals that never moved.

เวียน เดอ บัว คาเฟ่ –
Come visit the lotus cafe

Check our other coffee shop reviews

Whist the name House 1,000 wood Cafe & Farm – บ้าน ๑,๐๐๐ ไม้ might not translate to what it means it Thai is not any reason to avoid stopping by. Another great coffee shop in Thailand that is in an extremely cute location with a resident macaw nestled alongside Bang Toei river.

If you are visiting on a weekend, do note it is a very popular place and maybe busier than stopping on a weekday.

Old Fashioned Photo Opportunities

There is a lot of fantastic farming style photo opportunities such as at an old fashioned water pump or on a tractor. I didn’t manage to get any photos as it was quite busy on the day we visited. We hope to stop past again soon. Although next time will be a weekday to chill and relax on a hammock overlooking the river.

For the kids

If you have children there is a range of activities around the theme of farming that they can engage in. Like getting water from the well or digging in the sandpit.

Cute little tree house to drink your coffee and there is also a platform and walkway quite high to get the perfect selfie. Let your legs dangle free along with all your worries.

The resident parrot Ga-Fair

They have a resident parrot who is very friendly and will eat fruit out of your hand if he chooses to. His name is ga-fair which translates to coffee in Thai. How many coffee shops in Thailand can say they have a resident parrot.

บ้าน ๑,๐๐๐ ไม้ have a range of western dishes as well as Thai food. Most dishes were priced at 95 baht. There is only a menu in Thai. To order you have to take a piece of paper from near the counter and fill it in and give to the cashier along with payment.

If you are not with a person who can read Thai you can use google translate app if you have an internet connection to translate on the fly.
To do this
Open google translate
Click the camera icon,
try to hold steady the paper and it will translate for you..

Getting to บ้าน ๑,๐๐๐ ไม้ Cafe & Farm

Check out our other Coffee Shop posts here