Day 5 - Phuket — Wayfaring Abroad

Our day started early again, 5 am to be exact. We had a 6 am pickup to take us over to Phuket City so we could get on a boat and spend the day going island to island.

Our driver was right on time and we left to pick up others in Patong. When we arrived at the Royal Phuket Marina, we were greeted with drinks and snacks while we waited to leave on our adventure.

Our main guide was named "M" and he was a very gregarious and gracious host. He described the 7 stops we would make and the path along the sea. Our trip was to take 8 hours and include 7 different stops along the way.

M, showing us our route around the Adaman Sea.

To begin we all boarded the speed boat, in all there were about 12 of us and we all found spots for the 45 minute boat ride up north. We began at Ko Panak, a long thin island where we stopped and walked through a cave towards the inside of the island towards a clearing a mangrove trees and were able to see the beauty of the island. During high tide the cave is inaccessible and the interior fills with water.

From the cave we went back to the boat where sandwiches, fruit and drinks were waiting, which we enjoyed on the short ride north to James Bond Island where we walked around and go to see the natural beauty of the limestone. At the island there is a section where a piece has broken off and is leaning against another section of limestone.

After James Bond Island we headed south where we boarded canoes and slowly made our way around an island, through a small cave and into a small alcove. We were able to get close to the island and see different parts of the natural beauty.

Afterwards we made a long journey back south to the north eastern tip of Koh Yao Yai where we all jumped in the sea and floated and swam around for an hour. We were able to enjoy the great heat of the day and the warm waters of the Andaman Sea.

Looking at the tip of Koh Yao Yai where we swam in the sea.

With the relaxation of floating around in the sea we headed to Ko Yao Noi for lunch where everything was brought out and we had a large and hearty meal. After we ate we all boarded trucks and drove through and across the island where we were picked up and taken to our last stop at Ko Nok island.

Ko Nok island is a small island off the eastern side of Koh Yao Noi. There is a small beach with a limestone hill rising above it. We grabbed a spot in the shade and lay back relaxing. I decided to take the "path" up the middle of the limestone to the very top of the island. The path is merelyroots and rocks leading directly up. The only assistance or grip for the trip are ropes that have been tied into various trees in the hillside.

Once at the top I was greeted with incredible views going around 270 degrees. Looking off at the various island and limestone sitting hazily in the distance. After enjoying the view for a short period, the immense heat was beginning to take its toll so I made my way back down the path to the sea and sweet relief in the water.

Looking down at the beach on Ko Nok Island.

After enjoying ourselves on the island we made the long trip back to Phuket City and back across Phuket to Patong.

When we finally got back to our hotel we were all tired and in need of a shower. We had decided to catch the sunset and relax a little bit but after a short period in the hotel we all found ourselves napping and sleeping past sunset.

After waking up and getting ready for dinner we made our way out in Patong where we got the opportunity to walk along Bangla and see the expanse of bar after bar, strip club after strip club. There are people from each business outside in the street with signs attempting to flag you down and get you to enter the bar. We must have said no to about 100 different people on our single walk up and down the street. Tourists line the pedestrian street, in the bars, and wandering from place to place.

Needless to say that street is a world of its own and is a sight to be seen. We eventually found dinner and slowly made it back to our hotel where it did not take long for us to fall into a heavy sleep.

A single boat streaks across the Andaman Sea towards one of the many islands in the distance.