Our guide will accompany you upriver by boat or taxi, to the very edge of the city, where you will board a long-tail boat bound for Ko Kret. This wonderful natural haven is filled with small joys waiting to be discovered.

When you land at the pier, turn right and head away from the shops (save those for the afternoon) and wander along the elevated walkway which rings the island. You can spend most of the day on a leisurely walk, or rent bikes if you'd care to, but be sure to poke around as you wander. Beautiful old wooden buildings line both sides of the walkway. Monks in saffron robes stroll in quiet temple courtyards, where animist shrines sit astride soaring trees and Buddhist stupas. Village compounds are often decorated for upcoming festivals. Small, family-run shops are filled with treats and the colorful clutter of old-timey goods that are fast vanishing from modern urban neighborhoods. One home proudly displays dozens of marathon trophies won by a local sports hero.

Eventually the village gives way to emerald swathes of banana and coconut plantations. Stroll around the island and soak up this peaceful respite. You will hardly believe you are on the edge of Bangkok!

Eventually you'll complete the circular walkway and end up back in the village. Here you'll find small stalls selling Thai specialties like fresh fried shrimp cakes, kao chae jasmine scented rice in ice water eaten in combination with delicate savory treats, and lemon grass juice served in ceramic jars that you can take home with you. Speaking of ceramics, Ko Kret is famous for its red earthenware clay pottery, and you will see enormous walk-in kilns used for firing the wide variety of designs on sale. Local potters are happy to welcome you to their studios where you can watch artisans at work. This is a great place to pick up traditional cookware. Other shopping treats include home-made cosmetics and perfumes made by the Mon community.

Day Tour price: US$59 for one or two guests