Hong'em High
13 February 2016 | Phang Nga Bay
Friday 12 February 2016
Despite swarms of Russian (where can Siberians go to get warm?) and Asian tourists Ko Ping Kan (James Bond Island) was pretty cool. Unfortunately "Man With The Golden Gun" became impossibly pixelated half through, but the first few scenes are great. Been there, done that.. well except for that "shooting an ugly, badass dude in the head" thing.
Sunday
Upper Phang Nga (Pang Nah) Bay is the non-elephant picture many have of Thailand. The karst topography is striking and rife with tall islands encompassing inner lagoons surrounded by soaring cliffs. These 'hongs' can often be entered via kayak or dinghy through watery caves. Evidencing some lack of imagination, not one, but two islands are called Ko (island) Hong. Ko Phanak has the granddaddy of them all, called "Bat Cave", which is 200 meters of black, smelly, winding tunnel to a large double lake which must be entered at proper tide to get either under or over obstructions. Claustrophobic Jan required subsequent extra dosage of gin, superfluously mixed with tonic and lime.
Having been sufficiently honged (no Cal, it's not naughty) over the last 3 days we go now to Boat Lagoon Marina where dink wheels are reported ready. A day to install then off to somewhere else, perhaps Ao Chalong, for a few days attempting visit with Jacksters who could be nearly anywhere. Must clear out of Thailand for Malaysia on Friday or incur weekend rates or official wrath, neither of which are particularly beguiling.
Jack