The Vast Life: Day 6: James Bond Island

Pheng

If you have watched the movie entitled "The Man with the Golden Gun", you should be familiar with today's main attraction

The Man With The Golden Gun

Phang Nga Bay is an impressive body of water at over 400 km² and is renowned for its many dramatic limestone islands. A long-tail boat tour is the perfect way to explore Phang Nga Bay. These distinctive sheer rock formations jut vertically out of the emerald green water and at low tide hidden lagoons can be found through exposed cave tunnels entered by sea canoes.

Phang Nga Bay

Our first stop for this tour is Khao Phingkan and Ko Tapu which are near each other. Khao Phingkan means (two) hills leaning against each other. In fact, the two islets (hills) forming Khao Phingkan are connected by a tiny beach. But one of them is split in two, with one leaning against the other.

Entrance to James Bond Island

Leaning against Khao Phingkan

Standing alone in the sea some 200 metres from Khao Phingkan is the tiny Ko Tapu, or Nail Islet. Looking like a spike driven into the sea, it is perhaps the most photographed object in the whole marine park. It has become a symbol of the park, especially since the Hollywood production -The Man with the Golden Gun, starring James Bond, was partly shot here.

Ko Tapu

The water was so incredibly clear and green in color. The surface of the water was so still, only disturbed by the ripples and small wake our paddlers created. It was so serene just slowly moving between, under, and around the cliffs. You have to be sure to take your camera during this part of the trip because there are many beautiful sights to capture and enjoy later. Don’t forget to bring your waterproof bag with you and keep it handy just in case. - See more at: http://www.thevacationwanderer.com/2012/11/05/travel-to-james-bond-island/#sthash.P2zaUeMv.dpuf

After then we went for a tour around the mangroves and caves with the long-tail boat, while others were sea canoeing. Tham Lot is a limestone grotto sculptured by weather and the sea water. The cave is large enough to allow two or three boats going through side by side. There are also stalactites hanging down from the roof, but not as beautiful as those found in a mountain cave, probably because their formation has been constantly interfered by forces of nature.

Mangrove and Cave

And while waiting for the sea canoes group, we have ample time to relax and have some refreshments on the boat.

Relax Mode = ON

A Phang Nga Bay tour may take you to Ko Panyi, a village built on stilts. The mosque and the graveyard are the only places which are built on ground. It's a tourist trap during the day as many tours also stop here. Some tours will give you the option of staying overnight, which is preferable to really experience the village as the village returns to normal in the evening. We had our lunch here.


Ko Panyi

After refilling our tanks, our next stop is Suwankuha Temple or Monkey Cave. It has a big reclining buddha inside the cave and a lot of monkey outside the temple. Here are some photos.

Monkey Cave

And last, but not the least, we were brought to a place to refresh ourselves as a treat. We visited Ton Tai Waterfall. The water is cold, perfect for a very warm and sweaty day! You may have your free fish spa in here :)