A slight problem with not having much of a timetable is that I don't feel too much pressure to fill my days. Phuket complicates this further because the taxi mafia makes it really damn expensive to get anywhere, so I have spent most of my time confined to Naiyang Beach and Soi Dog.
Because of Soi Dog, I have met awesome folks who are here with more limited time and well, have a greater sense of urgency. Amanda is one of those people and I couldn't resist joining her on this speed boat and snorkeling tour.
 |
| Amanda, my partner in crime! |
The day started out overcast with a small rain shower about 30 minutes away from the first snorkeling spot. We shared the speedboat with about 25 people (which wasn't even close to capacity), including a group of bros in matching obnoxious neon "Full Moon Party" outfits. They at least helped add a splash of color to a dreary morning.
 |
| Sweet tank, brah |
By the time we arrived at Bamboo Island, the clouds started to dissipate and I was wowed by the cerulean blue waters that were revealed as we approached the shore. I rediscovered my love of snorkeling once I was past ingesting a few ounces of saltwater.
If you ever end up on a trip where you will be snorkeling/boating, bring a shockproof/waterproof camera. Mine was about $130 after an impulse buy on Groupon and is my best travel purchase to date!
 |
| Shores of Bamboo Island |
 |
| Snorkeling selfie |
After about 40 minutes, we headed to some rocks off the coast of KoPhi Phi Don to continue snorkeling. The tour guide noted "If you want to see sharks, head about 20 meters in that direction" - what??? I did try to find the sharks, but they weren't interested in an under the sea party with me. :(
 |
| The rocks we snorkeled around, with Phi Phi Don (and my future villa) in the background |
 |
| Human photobomb |
I am no coral expert, but I think a lot of it was dead. These areas are extremely high traffic and therefore see a lot of boat pollution. Maybe the area is also still recovering from the 2004 tsunami. It's conflicting to play tourist and see the destruction, but at least there was still a thriving fish population.
We headed to shore and ate a buffet lunch. I felt my blood boil when I saw a man carting a monkey around for photos, and we also found the world's tiniest kitten laying in the road without a mom in sight. For a predominantly Buddhist country, I have heard of and seen so much animal cruelty. I'm going to give Phi Phi another chance next week, though. :)
 |
| Giving Grumpy Cat a run for his money |
 |
| Baby kitteh :( The stray animal problem exists everywhere in Thailand |
We shuttled off to Monkey Island, where we thought we would be able to get off the boat, but they kept us on there to take pictures. In hindsight, this was probably for the best as a monkey would have probably bit and robbed me of my camera and dignity.
The outfits the tourists wore and the poses they made continued to impress.
 |
| The water color became increasingly unreal as the trip progressed |
 |
| Hay gurl hay, with random monkey |
 |
| Werq |
 |
| Hungry monkeys |
 |
| Leaving Monkey Bay |
 |
| Quick "drive by" the Viking Cave |
The islands we passed seemed to become more and more dramatic as we approached Maya Bay. I was initially not so excited to go here, the famous location where The Beach was filmed. In high season, the boats are usually in a queue just to get into the area and any attempt at a photo is filled with the background noise of strangers.
We must have timed our arrival perfectly (at the tail end of the low season) or won the island lottery, as there were a few 'slips' open between our boat and the one next to us. It was like we had a private view of the scenery.
I felt my jaw drop repeatedly at the perfect views and temperate water. I could live and swim here forever (without the tourists).
 |
| Boating into Maya Bay |
 |
| View from my swimming spot |
 |
| Attempt at a panorama, which is hard when you're bobbing up and down in the water :) |
 |
| Don't know what to do? Put your hands in the air. |
 |
| Yaaaay |
The only piece missing from these pictures is Darryl, but hopefully I can take him somewhere just as spectacular when he comes to visit.
Unfortunately our last stop was the worst - an overpacked beach that we are convinced is a money pit the boat operators get a cut for taking us to, and is not worth mentioning outside of saying DO NOT GO TO KHAI NOK ISLAND.
I did not let this disappointing end cast a shadow on a truly beautiful trip. And this beautiful trip was a nice reminder that it's okay to pa
ck more into each day, because they are flying by too quickly already.
Link to full set of pictures here.
-Erin
No comments:
Post a Comment