Breakfast in the paddy fields
Guests will have the opportunity to ride in a stylish motorcycle sidecar to reach "The Noodle Shop," a highly-regarded rice paddy field restaurant popular among locals of all ages. A Thai breakfast of egg-and-crab fried rice, exotic fruit, and sticky rice can be savored in this charming setting. Sukanya and Chalothorn Hapolkla,
the restaurant's young, married proprietors who go by the names Ja Yam and Bang Mee, provide warm hospitality and encourage guests to indulge in their freshly prepared rice noodles. They also offer insights into the various rice varieties grown in the surrounding paddy fields and sold in Koh Yao Noi town, including Jasmine, Suphan and Pathum, sticky rice, riceberry, and low-GI RD43. The serene scene of buffalo grazing in the distance and cranes keeping watch adds to the restaurant's tranquil ambiance.
The Rubber Plantation
Guests can explore the island while riding in ÀNI Thailand's tuk-tuk, in search of a secluded rubber plantation. Guests will have the chance to meet Mah, a 62-year old woman who owns a sprawling five-acre plot of rubber trees. Mah has 350 trees to tap each day to release the latex, which is then collected and dried to yield rubber. Her family has owned and operated the plantation for generations, and she takes great pride in demonstrating the process of tapping the trees to the guests. Additionally, Mah is an enterprising individual, who also owns a mini-mart and sells petrol. This is an excellent opportunity for guests to recall their geography lessons from earlier years and to gain a deeper understanding of how rubber is produced for tires and other everyday items in the Western world.
Koh Yao Noi Town Centre
Koh Yao Noi is a quaint town with a bustling atmosphere, reminiscent of a charming village. Guests can spend a few hours exploring the town center, making new feline friends, sampling various beverages, and purchasing vibrant souvenirs from the many market stalls. The locals are extremely welcoming and are delighted to share information about their delectable offerings, including a variety of sticky rice pouches. They are also happy to discuss their home-made, bio-organic fertilizer and the process of producing it using water, eggs, and fish sauce. Guests will appreciate the fruits of their labor when they sample the tiny finger bananas, which are incredibly sweet and flawless. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these homegrown heroes.
Batik Lessons
Guests can learn the intricate art of batik painting with the skilled local ladies of the island, led by Ms. Sapiyah Yusoh, affectionately known as Ja Cha, and her colleague to share their 20 years of knowledge and expertise at ÀNI Thailand. After showcasing their own stunning creations that adorn the space, they will encourage guests to pick up a pencil and sketch their own design. The drawing is
then outlined with hot wax, requiring a steady hand and precision. Finally, guests can add color by selecting from a range of hues that can be blended to bring the batik to life. This painting process is highly meditative and creative, with a serene atmosphere in the room as guests work on their individual creations with encouragement from one another.
Fish Conservation Nursery
The fish conservation center is the heart and soul of Koh Yao Noi, dedicated to preserving the marine ecosystem. Guests are transported by long-tail boats to the bay, where they will spend an hour or so with the nursery's team to learn about their goals. Owner Kasem Ninsamut and his son, Chaowarin, also known as Chao, collaborate closely with local fishermen to safeguard their livelihood. The nursery has four primary objectives: breeding for sustainability to prevent overfishing; breeding for conservation, where even crabs carrying eggs caught by fishermen are brought to the nursery until the eggs have hatched, and the mothers are released back into the wild; conservation efforts to care for injured fish; and education for the future generation of fishermen, explaining which species require protection and cannot be caught.
