Route from Langkawi, Malaysia to Phuket, Thailand
On our way up the coast from Malaysia to Thailand we explored Koh Muk – site of the ‘Emerald Cave’.
You have to swim through a dark tunnel to emerge into a land-locked beach…
You have to swim through a dark tunnel to emerge into a land-locked beach…
… lots of tourists
… and the sun streams through.
The islands are home to the edible birds nests so popular with the Chinese – and the locals camp out to guard them during harvest season.
Koh Ngai was a lovely island with a resorts catering to a wide budget range…
… but nothing can compete with an island to oneself! Roz and Kev from Santana are great cruising campanions!
The snorkelling was great…
The snorkelling was great…
Phi Phi Le is another busy tourist site – the movie ‘The Beach’ was filmed here.
Around the south end of Phi Phi Le was a great overnight stop and Keith, Roz and Kev went ashore to explore before the tourists arrived…
… but some tourists had stayed overnight – the boys enjoyed the view!
Another birds nest site…
We finally clear into Thailand at Ao Chalong, Phuket – a very popular yachting bay.
Valentines Day at Nai Harn, Phuket – very romantic!
We explored the west coast of Phuket – some of the less touristy areas!
But it is fun to catch up with fellow cruisers for dinner…
… and celebrate Roz’s birthday.
Route north from Phuket to the border with Myanmar
We celebrate arriving at Koh Phayam – our northenmost destination this season.
Roz and Kev persuaded us to hire a scooter to explore the island (no cars here!). Keith did well, but Christine was a nervous passenger!
Enjoyed the ‘Thong Bar’…
… and a refreshing drink, of course!
Roz and Kev are very experienced riders!
We were amazed at Thailand’s rubber plantations…
After boiling the latex, it is squeezed through these wringers into large sheets for onward processing.
Koh Phayam also produces cashew nuts – the nut hangs below the fruit…
After harvesting and drying, they still require a lot of processing before becoming the edible nuts we enjoy.
The ‘Hippy Bar’ was constructed from debri salvaged after the 2004 Tsunami…
… and is an amazing building.
Phil and Cheryl from Adagio, Roz and Kev from Santana and Helmut and Kerstin from Lop to join us for sundowners at beautiful Koh Phayam.
Koh Phayam is a wonderful, relaxed destination and we’d love to go back again next season!
We all walked across to a local village bearing bags of goodies for the sea gypsies who scrape a living in the over-fished waters.
This young lad demonstrates how they power the pump to raise drinking water from the well.
Next stop, the Surin Islands – fantastic snorkelling!
Next stop, the Surin Islands – fantastic snorkelling!
Next stop, the Surin Islands – fantastic snorkelling!
The sea gypsy village here was much bigger – and slightly better off, it appeared…
… certainly the location is stunning!
Lop to took this photo of Poco Andante on our way to the Similan Islands.
The Similan Islands are renowned for their diving – and Keith enjoyed a great dive with Helmut and Kerstin.
The National Park Headquarters provide basic camping and canteen facilities for the tourists – and a great swing!
Back on Phuket we enjoyed Panwa Bali – with a great restaurant on the beach…
Peter & Margaret from Swara, Roz & Kev from Santana, Helmut & Kerstin from Lop to and Lorraine & Graham from Lorrigray join us for dinner ashore.
We decide to explore Phang Nga Bay (to the east of Phuket) in anticipation of a visit by Christine’s niece Pippa and her son Xavier in a couple of weeks…
We decide to explore Phang Nga Bay (to the east of Phuket) in anticipation of a visit by Christine’s niece Pippa and her son Xavier in a couple of weeks…
Phang Nga Bay is famous for its limestone karst islands.
…including ‘James Bond’ island which featured in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ movie.
There is still a lot of fishing done in Thailand.
This muslim village is built on stilts over the water.
We enjoyed Koh Hong Krabi and spent a few days here…
A pretty good feast fresh from the BBQ!
Some of the bays are really spectacular…
… and the caves are awesome to explore by dinghy.
… and the caves are awesome to explore by dinghy.
The local fishing families stop by Poco each morning to offer their catch for sale – mainly prawns which Keith enjoyed occasionally.
We enjoyed dinner ashore at the Paradise Island resort…
The resort puts on a fire juggling show for the guests.
Pippa and Xavi (6) arrive safely and join us at Ao Po Grand Marina
Next morning we set off on our tour of Phang Nga Bay, stopping mainly at deserted islands…
Xavi was really brave when exploring the bat-infested caves!
And it was great to enjoy the popular islands when the tourists had left for the day.
And it was great to enjoy the popular islands when the tourists had left for the day.
Pirate Xavi and his stolen coconut!
… Keith breaks it open so Xavi can try fresh coconut juice.
We took them to the Paradise Island resort and enjoyed the pool…
… and a perfect excuse to get out the water pistols!
Both Pippa and Xavi adapted to life on board Poco really well, we thought.
… including swimming off the back of the boat to cool down!
Keith’s souvenir: a sea urchin spine in the foot which required a quick trip to hospital!
Time to do some ‘normal’ sightseeing – Wat Chalong temple complex on Phuket.
Some serious temple constructions, here!
The elephants were amusing.
Another year older, Christine’s birthday was a relaxing day for us both.
