A lack of PC access has hindered me updating recently, but I’ve found my way to an Internet Cafe to write a couple of updates. Also here to backup my photos – yesterday my camera decided it wouldn’t save any more photos or even display existing ones, leaving me of course extremely worried! But the card seems to read fine in this PC, so although something still might be wrong with the camera at least I now know I haven’t lost all my photos!

From Chiang Mai I took a short flight down to the island of Phuket. I’d heard very mixed opinions about the place, and came away with the same mixed opinions myself. I was staying only a few nights in Phuket Town, but let’s be honest, it’s shit. I did manage to buy myself some new shoes at least though, so it was useful for that. But on the flip side, as soon as you get out on a boat and explore some of the surrounding islands and waters, it really is a beautiful place – even if it is difficult to avoid fat Russian tourists.

So for my first proper day here I decided it was worth spending the money to go on an organised day trip, by speedboat, around Pha Nga bay. It was very worthwhile, being only a small group of 12 or so meant it was much more enjoyable. In the small speed boat we were able to stop off at smaller secluded places, including a trip inside a small cave where at the entrance we even encountered a monkey.

The speedboat stopping off at a cave in Pha Nga Bay

Further into the bay we made the obligatory stop at “James Bond Isand”, used in one of the films it has become a major tourist attraction, despite there not being too much there. We had purposefully arrived early in the morning so it wasn’t too crowded, as I had heard it can get obscenely busy later in the day.

James Bond Island

From there we stopped off for a short sea kayak tour around some more of the wonderful rock formations, ducking under cliffs to reach very peaceful and spectacular scenery.

Kayaking Scenery

After this we continued to a small inhabited island for lunch. It was really interesting to sea life on such a secluded island, I believe the people were of Indonesian descent and originally settled as just 3 small fishing families. Now the island has a school, electricity from a generator and even a small floating football pitch.

I forget it’s name – the village island

Next stop was back at island near our starting point, to spend time relaxing on a beautiful beach before the journey home. As before, take away the fat Russian tourists and it really is a magnificent place.

The beach

The following day in Phuket I spent the morning at the beach but soon found myself bored so went wandering. A hot walk up the hill led me to a great view point over the beaches, where I stayed before walking down again in the red glow of the setting sun.

Sunset in Phuket

A short visit, but I was happy to move on – next stop Khao Sok national park.