Day 8 - Tuesday 2 December 2015

Overtime........According to my original plan I should be back in Bangkok by now and it’s exactly a week till I fly back to the UK. Yet I’m still at the furthest point on this tour with a trip booked today to the islands of Than Bok Khorani National Park. In terms of orientation, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are the furthest districts south in Phang Nga Province yet the islands to the east belong to Krabi. One island, Koh Hong is directly opposite Pasai Beach. Before we get going on the tour I walk out to the street to add something for breakfast. That part is easy. The Muslim ladies seem to spend most of the time cooking. This also enables me prior to departure to get them to prepare a packed lunch. It’s a good idea.

Four island tour……..The tour is classed as a four island tour but I’m unaware of the program. The boat we have chartered would more typically be used for four or more people therefore catering for a family or small group. It could comfortably handle six but the equipment onboard suggests less. Obviously for two people it’s going to work out quite expensive. However we have not booked through a resort but directly with the boatman so we manage to get a fair deal. The boat is the traditional long-tail version with the motor mounted on the back of the boat. To get onboard you need to use the ladder on the boat and get your feet wet. As we head out towards the islands the obvious thing today is a change in the weather. There is well broken cloud and the sun is out. From this location there is open water in view as Phang Nga Bay opens out into the Andaman Sea. In the distance there are some familiar islands. Phi Phi Island is somewhere I visited a long time ago but haven’t seen the need to visit again. Over towards the Krabi coastline opposite Ao Nang are the islands I visited in my Krabi tour last year, in particular Poda Island.
We soon reach a small island where there is a glorious photo opportunity as the boat approaches a rock cavern. Some tour boats have kayaks. This is a classic place to stop for this activity. Unfortunately I missed the name of this island.

Koh Phak Bia........Koh Phak Bia is one of the smaller islands yet it has a most beautiful sand bar and beach of the type at Poda Island or for that matter, Koh Nangyuan at Koh Tao. It’s therefore no surprise that it’s a popular destination for tour boats. However most of the boats are speedboats more popular now with tour companies. It’s the way it is. If you have a most beautiful scene like this, tourists will find it. The beach is quite full but for the privilege, foreigners will pay 300 baht national park fee. Yes this is a national park: The Than Bok Khorani National Park. There must be some obligation for boat owners to stop here where staff issue park tickets. I guess it’s up to foreigners to take care of Thailand’s Marine Parks as Thais only pay 20 baht. Almost all the visitors here come from Krabi. When I was there early last year I had the opportunity to take this tour and turned it down presumably due to cost. Even on a group tour it’s quite expensive because Ao Nang is much further away and out of view of these islands. At this location I test the water but it’s quite stony underfoot and I’m inclined to pass it by. It’s on to the next.

Koh Lao La Ding........Koh Lao La Ding also supports a small sandy beach and here I take the snorkel and mask. My expectations are much higher than at Koh Tao and the reefs in the Andaman are better preserved yet I’m disappointed to see just a few species of fish and for some reason the water is not as clear as I would like. Perhaps disappointing is a bit unfair. Again the location is just magical. If this is island number three then there’s only one to go and that has to be Koh Hong.

Koh Hong........As mentioned Koh Hong is opposite Pasai beach on Koh Yao Noi which makes it much more accessible. Arriving from the north I see no beach but then all of a sudden I remember what this island is most famous for. The way the island’s name is written has confused me because if it was written ‘hawng’, then I’d get it immediately. Hawng in Thai is ‘room’: A room on an island right? Well there are some rooms on the island used by rangers but in this case the room is the lagoon; and what an amazing place it is. You enter it via a ‘door’ some 30 feet wide then you really are in a room. The water is blue green and the limestone stacks surrounding it are stunningly beautiful. The water could be clearer. I’m told that is because of the current tides but honestly this place is a once in a lifetime dream come true. Totally overwhelming! The boat now returns to the open sea and swings around to the southeast where there are beaches. In fact it’s a double cove. So popular is this destination that they have now installed a floating pontoon pier. It seems you can buy your park ticket here also but you definitely need one. Here as at Nangyuan on Koh Tao, you have to take what you need with you as the boat can only park temporarily at the pier. Those needs now include the packed lunch and of course the snorkel, mask and camera.

While there are a good number of tourists on the island, I’m really thankful I’m not part of a tour group. For lunch at least I’ve managed to get some real food not just army rations and sitting under the forest canopy in the shade eating lunch is just wonderful. After that I notice a nature trail and decide to explore. It’s worth the effort and you just might see some of the forest birds. The trail leads to the other cove and its here I make my final stand of the trip. Much of the time is spent snorkelling but the situation is the same. I have to be a little disappointed not to see more varied and colourful fish species but it is as it is. All too soon we have to head back. Those trippers from Krabi must be on day trips. Mine is three to four hours. I can’t really complain with that as its quite hot today and don’t mind heading back to the room. Visiting these islands from Koh Yao Noi is for me a much better option and puts me right in the centre of the bay where I have many more options. Another option is possible tomorrow as I head back to Phang Nga but there will be no more delays now.
My last evening on Koh Yao Noi is spent at the same restaurant. Katoon want’s the Korean BBQ again but I’m not fussy. If you offered me a cheese sandwich I’d bite your hand off. Tomorrow is an early start so I need to sign off and get some sleep. Next Page.