Thursday, 15 May, Khao Lak

About 10,000 years ago, Wikipedia tells us, people could walk from Phuket to Krabi.  Today, most of the area is submerged to create the striking Phang Naga Bay, dotted with what would have been mountains and hills back then, but are now islands.

The most famous one of them all is Koh Tapu, better known these days as the James Bond Island.  It featured in the 1974 Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun.  I don't think I ever saw that one - I'll have to get a copy now and see how it's changed.  Because  I'm sure it's changed - a hundred or more tourists were there when we were there today, all getting our photos taken in front of a distinctive rock which apparently features in the movie, as well as on Thai tourism posters these days.

Our main transport today was a long-tailed boat, so-called because of the long rod/rudder which attaches the propeller to the outboard motor (Our guide told me they were illegal in Australia, probably on safety grounds).

After going to the James Bond Island, lunch was at the village of Kah Panyee on the nearby island. 

Dave was hanging out for a Singha beer...

"Sorry, sir, we are Muslim", came the response.  Oh dear.  He settled for water.

We should have realised - we'd seen the golden domes of the mosque on our way to James Bond Island, plus, this close to the Malaysia  border, the chances of an Islamic settlement are much higher. Nevertheless, the lunch was the best food we've had all week

After lunch, another religion was on our schedule.  A gold reclining Buddha was the big feature of the cave temple of Wat Tham Suwan Khuha, known more simply as Wat Tham.  The Buddha here was striking, as were the monkeys which have made the caves there home.  One of them tried to get at our guide's backpack, sensing that he had candy in it! 

A monkey claws at a guide's bag, hoping to get at candy he's carrying

Next: A lazy last day at Khao Lak