Thailand was the first ever international destination I traveled to. Though I enjoyed every bit of the week-long trip, I often feel there’s so much that I left out on seeing, doing, visiting. Because, of course, one week is never enough time to truly explore a place… no complains though 🙂
Firsts are always special. It is also at Phi Phi Island in Phuket where I did my life’s first scuba diving and oh my god, it was a dive to remember! I still never quite got myself to write a detailed account of the visit to Thailand (I might, one day or may be I would just keep writing these small snippets instead of a long detailed post – I don’t know)
Anyway, so Krabi was the first stop and we visited Phang Nga Bay, Koh Panyi (Koh Panyee) – the Floating Muslim Village, Khao Phing Kan and Khao Ta Pu – popularly known as James Bond Island (which was, of course, featured in one of the James Bond movies and hence the name) while speed-boating past several forest-covered islands, and other beautiful big-small, vertical limestone and karst towers.
Ao Phang Nga National Park is studded with several forest-covered islands, sparsely-covered or almost barren karst towers, and expansive mangroves. Kayaking is also a popular activity around here. I did not go kayaking but looking at kayakers around, I could see that it must be an enjoyable experience.
On my research while planning the visit, I had learned that the passages/gaps or cave-like structures of the towering limestone walls in the Phang Nga bay are called ‘hongs’ (the word translates to ‘rooms’ in Thai). These are,of course, best explored on kayaks and also in the glass-bottom boats. Moonlight kayaking was also an option possible (advertised by many organizers) back then, I’m not too sure if it still is.
The emerald-green waters, the stunning islands and the rich mangroves of tgis floating national park are a sight to behold. Being at Phang Nga Bay felt almost something like being on a little planet with it’s own numerous big-little islands separate by the emerald-green waters.
TravelAndHappiness 