An uneventful, near 900 km drive south brought us to Thap Lamu in Phangna Province, the staging post for the Similan Islands, situated in the Andaman Sea, the Thai part of the Indian Ocean. En route we had an overnight stop somewhere between Chumphon and Surat Thani. The noise and vibrations made it feel as if we were sleeping in the middle of the highway but it served to split up the drive and allow a short rest and a stretch.
Thap Lamu is in the Khao Lak tourist area, a collection of resorts and beaches to the north of Phuket. Lots of European tourists in evidence. At the Ko Similan National Park HQ we managed to secure some accommodation on Ko Miang, island number 4 of 9, and the park official organised transportation for us in a daytrippers boat, a very flash and powerful super speed boat taking what appeared to be a party of mainly Russian visitors out for sun, snorkelling and adventure. We joined in for a bit of snorkelling, hundreds of beautiful fish, and also had lunch on the island as part of the deal. For once I was pleased with the prices, not especially cheap but what I expected. I think the fact that the islands are under the Department of National Park's (DNP) management means foreign visitors will not be taken to the cleaners in the way that happens often in these parts.
Surf boy
Ko Miang is really beautiful, the only blight being the daily arrival of boats crammed with visitors who stop off here for lunch. Between about 11:00 and 15:00h these boats disgorge about 500 people for a bit of lunch and swimming. Outside of these times this island is very quiet indeed. The accommodation is basic but it is perfectly adequate and there is a restaurant as well, churning out rather bland, but perfectly edible, food. Once more prices are what I expected.
Family
Luna reckons the beach is the best she's ever been to in Thailand. It is immaculately clean and the sea water is blue and clear teeming with tropical fish. It is really is picture postcard stuff. How nice to stop here for a few days and have a bit of a rest. Benedict is in his element too and seems to be having a really good time.
A few more snaps......
Way to go .........stuff the environment!
Much as I enjoyed our short trip I was glad to get back to the mainland. In the end the food was too bland! Basically it is prepared a long time before it is eaten so the beautiful fresh fish tastes tired and flat because it has been cooked three hours before it is served. Also the accommodation was just a bit too basic with no electricity during the day time hours and little real protection against the mosquitoes. Don't get me wrong; we enjoyed ourselves immensely. I think two days was about our limit!
A hermit crab
A passing catamaran
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