Sunday, December 4, 2011

PHA NGA BAY & KO LANTA

After weeks of travel all over Southeast Asia, with lots of movement and a pretty hectic schedule, we spent a week with friends sailing from Phuket around Pha Nga Bay, in the Andaman Sea. It was a very relaxing time, and a lot of fun. We stopped at Ko Hong, Railay, Had Khlong Dai (Ko Lanta), Hat Khlong Chak (Ko Lanta), Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Leh, and one night off Phuket. These are not the most unknown corners of southern Thailand, but it was beautiful and fun, and we had one of the best meals of the trip at Ma Ma Klong in Rawai on Phuket. I took a "break" and let my professional friends take most of the pictures, but here are a few. After soaking up the sun, it was time for some wild times in Bangkok... coming soon.


Spectacular kayaking at Ko Hong, where we spent the second night.




One of our favorite spots, on the southern end of Ko Lanta. Pretty, quiet, and lush.


Ko Phi Phi Don, beautiful but crowded.

Above is Ko Phi Phi Leh, where The Beach was filmed. It was crowded and Maya Bay, tucked inside this dramatic island, was filled with loud tourist boats during the day. Luckily we were able to stay the night after most people left. I slept out on the deck, under the stars, and at sunrise kayaked in to the famous beach. We were some of the first people on the shore and saw schools of fish, a shark, and had a quiet time swimming in the electric blue water of one of most beautiful places I have ever seen. We departed at 9am as the hoards arrived. Our captain lamented that this spot had been "discovered." Crowded or not, it was special.

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