To really experience the beauty of Phang-Nga, I decided to do a full-day organized tour through a local travel agency. A leap of faith really since you don't know for sure if the tour operator is good... but no worries, it was a great experience.
Our group was nice and small (a couple from France, two really sweet girls from Switzerland), and our guide took us to several islands in Phang-Nga Bay with hidden lakes and caves. Heading into the caves was especially fun with just the guide's weak flashlight to show our way through complete darkness -- and for some reason, I always found myself at the head of the pack. I'm surprised I didn't bonk my head on the stalagmites!
We stopped off at Ko Phing Kan island, otherwise known as "James Bond Island." Apparently, it was featured in one of the James Bond movies but the cultural significance was a bit lost on me since I've never since a James Bond flick. The island was teeming with tourists and aggressive souvenir sellers .... so I decided to join the crowd and get a photo of the famous rock.
One of the last stops was at Ko Panyi, a Muslim fishing village built on stilts. Hordes of tour boats touch down here so there's quite a row of expensive seafood restaurants and even more souvenirs. But you only had to walk further into the village to completely lose the crowds and see how the villagers really live. Here's another pic of me and two adorable monkeys ... the picture cost me 100 baht, but the monkeys were sooo cute and felt like warm teddy bears so it was worth it.
Our group was nice and small (a couple from France, two really sweet girls from Switzerland), and our guide took us to several islands in Phang-Nga Bay with hidden lakes and caves. Heading into the caves was especially fun with just the guide's weak flashlight to show our way through complete darkness -- and for some reason, I always found myself at the head of the pack. I'm surprised I didn't bonk my head on the stalagmites!
We stopped off at Ko Phing Kan island, otherwise known as "James Bond Island." Apparently, it was featured in one of the James Bond movies but the cultural significance was a bit lost on me since I've never since a James Bond flick. The island was teeming with tourists and aggressive souvenir sellers .... so I decided to join the crowd and get a photo of the famous rock.
One of the last stops was at Ko Panyi, a Muslim fishing village built on stilts. Hordes of tour boats touch down here so there's quite a row of expensive seafood restaurants and even more souvenirs. But you only had to walk further into the village to completely lose the crowds and see how the villagers really live. Here's another pic of me and two adorable monkeys ... the picture cost me 100 baht, but the monkeys were sooo cute and felt like warm teddy bears so it was worth it.
1 comment:
hey hammer ... am enjoying keeping track of you via your travel bug site ... sounds like you're having an absolute blast -- am so happy for you ...
was sad to hear about your digital cam but gotta admit, reading it made me smile ... you're the original blonde brunette!!! take care -- i'll keep checking back in to keep tabs on you!!!
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