KIM’S LONG TAIL BOAT EXCURSION

Last month Kim wrote about his trip to Phang

It was time to visit the photogenic Ao Nang Islands so we booked a 4-island trip in a long tail boat. At Hat Noppharat boat terminal, a lady us out to his wooden long-tail with a mighty Toyota engine. We were informed that the boat had been his father’s before him and that when not out on excursions he was a local Ao Nang

We departed the little port with the boat’s brightly headed out into the bay. As with Phang Nga the scenery was overwhelming and all cares were forgotten as we cruised through the tranquil sea. We passed the Tinidee Hideaway Resort on

due to the tall cliffs towering majestically above it

Following a pathway we then walked through to the high tide we were unable to visit Phra Nang Cave. Phra Nang also referred to as Princess Cave has many colourful Linga inside. These are rather phallic shaped statues, meant to represent the Hindu god, Shiva. Despite the setback at not being able to see these, we rejoined our boat tour to continue into the bay and on to Koh Poda.

Koh Poda, is an idyllic tropical island which appears to be the chosen ‘lunch island’ for local speed boat operators. When we arrived we saw many people scattered around the beach eating their styrofoam packed lunches. I found Koh Poda very beautiful but slightly absurd with several hundred people squeezed onto a narrow strip of sand!

Then on to Thale Waek, 3 small islands that are normally connected by a sandbank. With high tide the connection is only possible by wading through the water but again, it appeared to be a stopping point for all the tours. The sight of hundreds of rather bewildered tourists milling around on a small area of sand was somewhat surreal. I could not understand the sense of getting off the boat (and having to pay a National

Park fee!) just to stand shoulder to shoulder with the masses, so instead quizzically observed the proceedings from the prow of my longtail.

50 DIS CO V ER P AT T AYA