George had booked us on a fantastic tour that we had changed prior to going to Phi Phi. The original one would have taken us by speedboat to Phi Phi instead we booked onto the James Bond Island tour. It was an early start and the boys joined our transfer to see if they could get their own tour at the port.
The guy Mark, an ozzy who runs these tours met us at the port. After some looking about he suggested we swap to a private tour at no extra cost and the boys could tag onto that as there was no room on the big tour. Get In!! Instead of speedboat we had a traditional Thai long boat. This tagging along with other traveler thing works out cushty sometimes :)
We met our captain and settled into our little boat. All our food and drink for the day was included and we set off. First stop was a secluded lagoon, we had to climb out of the boat onto an elevated ledge and then through a cave. The speedboat doesn't do half today's agenda as the boat is too big and there are too many people for the logistics. This was going to be good, and we were not disappointed. Once out the other side, was the lagoon, totally encompassed by sheer cliffs in a perfect circle, a proper wow moment. After a few snaps and photo bombs of each others shots we headed back to the boat and set off for some monkey watching.
I am not sure what type they are but they live on the cliff edges and shelter under the entrances to caves. Being in a small boat you don't disturb them like a large on with lots of happy snappers aboard. We even managed to see a sea monitor lizard. The boat then pulled up at a tiny beach about 12ft wide and we got out for a swim. My fear of water is definitely subsiding and I even managed to go out where I couldn't stand. Then I needed a wee. Weeing in the sea while trying to tread water is a nightmare but I did it!
Returning to the boat we cracked open some beer and set about sunbathing on the benches the breeze in our hair. What a perfect way to spend the day. Soon enough we arrived at James Bond Island so called because they filmed one of them here. We didn't stop as it was a bit too touristy instead we sailed past slowly so we could get shots before speeding up and heading for some cave paintings. After a I few shots of that we moored up at a floating village.
Not like the one in Vietnamese Halong Bay. These ones are on stilts. We had lunch which was far to much food but was delicious, I think I ate more than the other three put together but that's just how I role. Once I was stuffed enough I could barely walk we joined the original group for a guided tour round the village. They are blinding a mosque for the 2000 strong community. We even saw a football field that was built by the kids here and there is actually a video on YouTube about how they built it and joined in the mainland tournaments and did really well. It all goes to prove dreams can come true.
However, it was scorching hot and we were all wilting like dehydrated plants in the direct sunlight so we scurried through to miss the crowds and boarded back on the boat. Next stop canoeing or kayaking, we had an English American debate the whole way there. A local rowed us around a small group of very tiny caves leading us into more lagoons. We had to duck so we were practically laying down to get under most of them but inside the caverns was beautiful. We all did the echo shouting which made us all giggle. I swear our local was off his head on god knows what and found this hilarious.
After returning to our boat we had just enough time to visit one last beach. Woweeeeeeeee! Think paradise, crystal clear shallow water lapping gently at the beach on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere. I could have stayed there for hours if it weren't for a busy flight path directly over head. I think it is truly impossible to find the prefect paradise in this modern world. But nevertheless it was relaxing and a great way to wind down after our action packed day.
Our captain, Mr. bean as he likes to be known, sailed us back to port where Mark greeted us. He really went out of his way this morning and it paid off. I could not thank him enough and if you ever visit this area I recommend you use his company the service was exceptional and reasonably priced.
Our transfer bus returned us to the hotel where we went to the pool before heading out to dinner and calling it an early night.
No comments:
Post a Comment