Southern Thailand is famous for beautiful beaches, great scuba diving,
and
scenically beautiful islands. I spent a day scuba diving near the Similan
Islands in the brilliantly clear blue water to the west of the Thai peninsula.
On
the long boat ride to the islands, we saw dozens, if not hundreds of flying
fish that seemed to escort us as we went.
I also spent a day on a canoe tour of Ao Phang Nga, the beautiful islands east
of the Thai peninsula. These islands are strange and beautiful, seemingly
jutting straight up from the sea, with limestone cliffs and caves. Many of the
islands
have caves that we canoed through into the interior of the islands, where the
caves opened to interesting lagoons. One of these islands, Ko Phing Kan, is sometimes called
James Bond Island, because the Bond movie "Man With the Golden Gun" was filmed
here. You know this is a tribute to the beauty of the area. But be forewarned.
James Bond Island is very touristy. The rest of Ao Phang Nga is definitely
worth a look.
This is a quiet little cove on Similan Island number 8. If I ever return, this
might
be one of my multi-day stops. Although not visible from the beach, apparently
there are bungalows available here. If you want a quiet getaway, I think this
might be the place. While waiting here to meet up with my dive partner, I
snorkeled these crystal clear waters seeing beautifully colored corals and
thousands of fish. Later, I dove a different area near this island, then also
Island number 9.
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Some of the islands of Ao Phang Nga, northeast of Phuket, Thailand.
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Our last stop was this pleasant white sand beach on one of the islands.
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James Bond Island - one of the more touristy spots in Phang Nga. As I wandered
this
island, I saw a lizard (monitor?) about two feet long. That was cool.
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Purchase photographic prints of Thailand here:
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