Day 2 in Phuket

What a day we have had!  We went on a day trip to Phang Nga Bay which is known for its sheer limestone cliffs that jut vertically out of the sea.

Our speed boat with limestone cliffs in the background

We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the marina where we jumped on a speedboat to take us around Phang Nga bay.  The best way to see the bay with all its caves and 'hongs' (lagoons inside the limestone cliffs) is by sea canoe and that was our first stop.  It was two people to a canoe, along with the guide, and once I had managed to clamber in to the inflatable canoe without capsizing it we were off - luckily the guide did all the paddling otherwise me and Peter would have just been going round in circles!!

We managed to get in to the canoe (apologies for the close up!)

Inside one of the hongs

Apart from the 9 canoes from our group there was no one else around and it was so calm and peaceful especially when we were inside the hongs. Our guide was very good pointing out lizards, crabs and monkeys!!  One of the monkeys got a bit close for my liking and I was a bit worried that it might jump in!

Inside one of the hongs - you can see some of our group (and monkeys) in the background

Monkeys (there was loads of them!)

Me and another monkey (oh sorry, its Peter - easy mistake!)

After our sea canoe tour we got back in to the speedboat and they took us to a secluded bay so that we could jump off the boat for a swim to cool down (I, of course, didn't jump but more like hung on the back and flopped in to the water - very graceful). It was lovely swimming in the sea - the water was so warm it was like swimming in a bath! I have never been in a speed boat before so hadn't really thought of the logistics of getting on and off the boat, especially when we are docked in deep water so you can't touch the ground.....you have to get your feet on the step and then haul your body up and I didn't have the strength to pull myself up so one of the Thai crew had to yank me out (it was the first of many times the poor guy had to help me but for the record I wasn't the only one!!).

We had a brief stop at Koh Ping-gan, otherwise known as James Bond Island as they used the Island for the movie 'the man with the golden gun' and then on to Koh Panyee for lunch and a tour around the sea gypsy village.  The food was absolutely delicious with amazing views and it was a good chance to chat to others who were on our the tour.

View from Koh Ping-gan (James Bond Island)

Koh Panyee - the sea gypsy village

Two ladies working in the Sea Gypsy village

On the way back to the Marina we stopped off at another secluded beach to do some snorkeling - it started to rain but only for about 10 mins and not that it mattered as we were wet anyway!

The day was very active (and the words 'Jeannine' and 'active' are not usually found in the same sentence!) but we both agreed it was one of the best trips we have ever been on - a real once in a lifetime experience.  In the evening we decided to have dinner at the hotel and we had one of the spiciest meals we have ever had - it was so spicy that Peter lost his voice the first time he took a bite!

Goodbye Phang Nga Bay......