In Southern Thailand our adventures began in quiet Khao Lak, where we based ourselves for almost a week. This was an area that was hit hard by the tsunami, 4 years ago, but most everything has been built up again and is back to business, "Thai-style." The seaside community has wide, golden sand beaches - good for long walks, shell-collecting, raft floating, and sunset set viewing of the Andaman Sea. We stayed at a beautiful hotel, The Nang Thang Bay Resort, in a poolside bungalow which overlooked an infinity pool and the small beachside restaurant.
We came to this part of Thailand as a jumping-off spot, so as to explore the World Heritage Similan and Surin Islands, which are a couple of hours offshore from Khao Lak. These islands are somewhat difficult to access, thus they are considerably more pristine and untouched than the the mainland, or the more heavily traveled Thai islands. We took a boat ride and then stayed on 1 of the 9 Similan Islands, overnighting in a simple bungalow which overlooked a fabulous, powdery-white sand beach. The islands are known for the massive granite
boulders that line the beaches and stretch into the deep blue seas, and their jungley interiors. We spent our days snorkeling off of 6 of these small islands, and we were mezmerized by crystal-clear waters and the amazing coral formations. We saw sea snakes, moray eels, giant squid, sea turtles, and many multi-colorful fish.
We also took a day trip to explore the Surin Islands (a bit further offshore of Khao Lak), which was a longer and bumpier speed boat ride, but well-worth the effort. The snorkeling at the Surin's is world class, with the same type of colorful corals as Australia's Great Barrier Reef. There was even more vibrant colors of hard and soft coral, and we were quite fortunate to see a spectacular lion fish, as well as countless "Nemo" clownfish. The Surin Islands have these incredibly beautiful, high mountain peaks, covered in tall,
green jungle, lovely turquoise lagoons, and sparkling white sand beaches. Local Moiken people, commonly called "Sea Gypsies," live on a few of these islands, and transport supplies of coconut, fruits and other various foodstuff, around on their long tail boats. This was a location you could easily call paradise, and we were lucky and happy to have been blessed with fine weather during our visit.
Later in the week we made a short stop to the popular island of Koh Phi Phi, to revisit (first there in 1998) the 2 islands of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le, and to see the dramatic limestone cliffs that jut up and out of the seas. We were unexpectedly upgraded at our accomodations to a fabulous beachfront bungalow, and we were treated to a fantastic view of dramatic Phi Phi Le, a stunning island that was made famous in the movie "The Beach." We spent one morning exploring Phi Phi Le, which we accessed via long-tail boat. We relaxed at breathtaking Maya Bay early in the day, before the crowded tourist boats arrived, then snorkeled in the Bay, which provided most excellent views - both below the water, and of the towering peaks overhead.
Currently we're in Kata Beach, in the Phuket area, which is not as busy as expected, but action-packed compared to Khao Lak. There are 2 lovely coves here, white-sand beaches, and lots and lots of good shopping. Last night we went "out on the town," walking about on the festively lit streets. We ate a wonderful meal at a fine Thai restaurant, then made our way to one of the most well-designed mini-golf courses we've ever experienced -- Dino's-by-the-Sea -- a "Flinstonesque" course, featuring dozens of huge dinosaur scultures, as well as a large, erupting volcano. We had a heated match, then walked back to our hotel grounds, and along our way we stopped at a foodstand for tasty banana-chocolate pancakes. We strolled and ate, walking past the famous bar zone, where the demure and sexy "cheergirls" unsuccessfully attempted to lure us in, smiling their seductively-lovely Thai smiles.
We've just returned from an all-day kayak trip to on nearby Phang Nga Bay, which is absolutely gorgeous. We paddled all around, and right into high, white, limestone peaks of the many islands in the bay, and then capped it off with a sunset dinner aboard the larger transport vessel. Wow, what an incredible, and tiring, day of sea kayaking!
In Southern Thailand our adventures began in quiet Khao Lak, where we based ourselves for almost a week. This was an area that was hit hard by the tsunami, 4 years ago, but most everything has been built up again and is back to business, "Thai-style." The seaside community has wide, golden sand beaches - good for long walks, shell-collecting, raft floating, and sunset set viewing of the Andaman Sea. We stayed at a beautiful hotel, The Nang Thang Bay Resort, in a poolside bungalow which overlooked an infinity pool and the small beachside restaurant.
We came to this part of Thailand as a jumping-off spot, so as to explore the World Heritage Similan and Surin Islands, which are a couple of hours offshore from Khao Lak. These islands are somewhat difficult to access, thus they are considerably more pristine and untouched than the the mainland, or the more heavily traveled Thai islands. We took a boat ride and then stayed on 1 of the 9 Similan Islands, overnighting in a simple bungalow which overlooked a fabulous, powdery-white sand beach. The islands are known for the massive granite 
boulders that line the beaches and stretch into the deep blue seas, and their jungley interiors. We spent our days snorkeling off of 6 of these small islands, and we were mezmerized by crystal-clear waters and the amazing coral formations. We saw sea snakes, moray eels, giant squid, sea turtles, and many multi-colorful fish.
We also took a day trip to explore the Surin Islands (a bit further offshore of Khao Lak), which was a longer and bumpier speed boat ride, but well-worth the effort. The snorkeling at the Surin's is world class, with the same type of colorful corals as Australia's Great Barrier Reef. There was even more vibrant colors of hard and soft coral, and we were quite fortunate to see a spectacular lion fish, as well as countless "Nemo" clownfish. The Surin Islands have these incredibly beautiful, high mountain peaks, covered in tall, 
green jungle, lovely turquoise lagoons, and sparkling white sand beaches. Local Moiken people, commonly called "Sea Gypsies," live on a few of these islands, and transport supplies of coconut, fruits and other various foodstuff, around on their long tail boats. This was a location you could easily call paradise, and we were lucky and happy to have been blessed with fine weather during our visit.
Later in the week we made a short stop to the popular island of Koh Phi Phi, to revisit (first there in 1998) the 2 islands of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le, and to see the dramatic limestone cliffs that jut up and out of the seas. We were unexpectedly upgraded at our accomodations to a fabulous beachfront bungalow, and we were treated to a fantastic view of dramatic Phi Phi Le, a stunning island that was made famous in the movie "The Beach." We spent one morning exploring Phi Phi Le, which we accessed via long-tail boat. We relaxed at breathtaking Maya Bay early in the day, before the crowded tourist boats arrived, then snorkeled in the Bay, which provided most excellent views - both below the water, and of the towering peaks overhead.
We've just returned from an all-day kayak trip to on nearby Phang Nga Bay, which is absolutely gorgeous. We paddled all around, and right into high, white, limestone peaks of the many islands in the bay, and then capped it off with a sunset dinner aboard the larger transport vessel. Wow, what an incredible, and tiring, day of sea kayaking! 
3 comments:
Wow. I'd love to be there instead of in grey Seattle.
Could it be any more beautiful? Deb M you look fabulous in your little bikini, a true inspiration for us @ 50!
I had been waiting 3 weeks for your blog, and it was worth waiting for. Everything sounds dream-like and fanciful. Photos are wonderful, and you both look great....Deb, you look, WOW!
Love,
Mombo
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