Jan 13, 2010: Viking Cove, Pileh Bay, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Natural Resort, Bamboo Island; these are the places we visited on our day long boat excursion.
Viking Cove is where nests made from swallow’s saliva are harvested; this is used to make Bird’s Nest Soup, a delicacy for Thai’s.
Viking Cove is where nests made from swallow’s saliva are harvested; this is used to make Bird’s Nest Soup, a delicacy for Thai’s.
Pileh Bay has absolutely gorgeous, sparkling green water nestled invitingly between sheer rock cliffs, a place I would have been happy to spend the day drifting in the warm, salty water, but where we only had a fifteen minute stop.
Maya Bay’s claim to fame is that it’s the area where the movie “The Beach” was filmed. The tens of tour boats and hundreds of tourists busily snapping photos or trying to find their own patch of beach detracted from the natural beauty of the area.
Our favourite spot of the day was Monkey Beach, a small stretch of beach that quickly transitioned into jungle. While this beach also had many tourists the main attraction, small monkeys, were in abundance and utterly charming. A baby monkey slept in his mother’s arms, the father standing protectively by rubbing the baby’s back from time to time. Another monkey, looking old and aloof, appeared disdainful of the tourists’ attempts to bribe him with bananas. Other, younger monkeys showed no such hesitation and freely accepted the goods offered, some swinging on low-hanging branches to reach the bananas proffered by eager tourists. They were engaging to say the least.
Our favourite spot of the day was Monkey Beach, a small stretch of beach that quickly transitioned into jungle. While this beach also had many tourists the main attraction, small monkeys, were in abundance and utterly charming. A baby monkey slept in his mother’s arms, the father standing protectively by rubbing the baby’s back from time to time. Another monkey, looking old and aloof, appeared disdainful of the tourists’ attempts to bribe him with bananas. Other, younger monkeys showed no such hesitation and freely accepted the goods offered, some swinging on low-hanging branches to reach the bananas proffered by eager tourists. They were engaging to say the least.
A short ways out from Monkey Beach we stopped to explore below the surface. Donning snorkels and fins we discovered the coral reef and the many species of fish and vegetation in that habitat. The snorkeling was better than anticipated; a first for us was seeing a sea urchin.
A buffet lunch at Phi Phi Natural Resort was followed by a stop at Bamboo Island. Unfortunately we weren’t able to attest to the good snorkeling at this spot due to the two to three foot waves.
This area definitely has much to offer – the scenery is absolutely stunning. Too bad there are so many people like us (tourists) wanting to see it all.
No comments:
Post a Comment