Shootout at James Bond Island

We present to you...James Bond Island!

Today's excursion is a jetboat trip to explore some of the islands to the northeast of Phuket. It's not a private tour this time, but there's only about 15 additional people on our fully booked tour.  I've heard that other companies pack people in like sardines, but Simba Sea Trips does well with making sure everyone has enough space to feel comfortable on their boat.

True colors - not a black and white photo.

Naturally, Steve and I hop to the forefront of the boat and we have incredible views as we spend 35 minutes riding across the Andaman Sea to our first island.  Though there's little clouds on land, the water has an early morning haze over it.  I take the picture to the left shortly after sunrise, and you can see how the low cloud coverage gives everything a silvery gray glow.

The sea is wide open, with no man made items in sight (other than our boat).  After about fifteen minutes we start to see giant limestone rock-islands popping up out of the water.  Due to the sea fog in the distance, it's like the cliffs magically appear as you move closer.  It's a breathtaking view.

The islands aren't visible until you get close to them.  They mysteriously appear, like a magician's trick.

As the boat gets closer you can see more color to the rocks.

Skull face...are we entering a pirate cave?

Our first stop is a cave exploration on Koh Phanank (koh or ko means island).  Walking out of the cave (which is only accessible during low tide, unless you'd like to swim) we enter a hidden plateau, surrounded by limestone walls hundreds of feet high. 

A random person in the picture so you can get an idea
of the scale of the wall heights...but my camera
is not even close to capturing the top of the walls.

Henry, our guide, says the mangrove trees are so strong they helped to deflect the strength of the 2004 tsunami.  If you're wondering how trees can grow in a cove that is covered in sea water at high tide, mangroves are the only trees that thrive in sea water.  Now you can get that question correct on trivia night!

Super strong salt-loving mangrove trees

One of the inhabitants of our hidden area are mudskippers – a type of amphibious fish.  They have both lungs and gills, enabling them to breathe above and below water.

Can you find the mudskippers?

Back on our boat, we try to take a selfie before it starts moving too fast.

 

Quick - take the selfie while the cool rock is behind us!

Now that the sun is higher in the sky and it's burned off some of the mist, we see more details in the limestone as we go by.  With the boat speeding over the waves these are difficult photos to take!

Beautiful view!

We're getting closer...

Next we're able to get up close and personal with the rock formations at Koh Hong.  We disembark from our boat to board an inflatable, 3-person canoe.  This is my type of canoeing, because in addition to Steve and me we have a guide who also does all the paddling (I hate paddling).  Our "captain" brings us through some caves to secluded inlets.  It's very peaceful and feels Jurassic - tropical and untouched by humans.  The majesty of the area reminds me of Milford Sound in New Zealand.
 

That's my head!

Yes, we're told to lie back so we don't hit our heads as we go through the opening.

entering another time period

using the stone to frame another

Back on our jetboat we zip over to Steve's favorite island, Koh Tapu, otherwise known as James Bond Island (together with the island in the background, Koh Phing Kan).  This section of Phang Nga has a prominent role in The Man with the Golden Gun starring Roger Moore.  Steve could tell you the whole plot, but I've only enjoyed some of the more recent Bond movies.

It's the most crowded place we've seen all day (3000 visitors a day), but it's not too bad.  Henry knows the best places for pictures, so we take some fun ones and walk around for a bit.

Ready to duel

Is this a scene from the movie?

How does he do that?!?

Look at that handsome guy!

The rest of the day is spent visiting beaches on a couple different islands along with stopping for lunch. We're able to relax in the sun, swim, and of course, eat! The crew is wonderful, delivering food and drinks as we sunbathe, and cleaning up after us (Steve and I attempt to clean off and fold the beach mats, and someone comes running to do it for us).

Our boat is the blue dot!

Our lunch is at a restaurant on Koh Yao Noi.  Naturally, it's wonderful Thai food.  We leave the boat to take open sided trucks for the short ride to the cafe.  Along the way we have a couple of scenic shots.  First, the local gas station with all the necessities...

Are those tanks to code?

Exactly the same way as getting maple syrup (I think the syrup tastes better, though).

...and some rubber plantations!  If you look closely you can see the taps and bowls near the bottoms of the trunks.  Latex is one of Thailand's biggest exports.











 


I'll finish off with some more pictures of the beautiful scenery.  During the day the water alternates between greens and blues, depending on what else is around. 

Selfie at the beach!