Phang Nga Bay : Day Three

Phang Nga Bay Day 3   Sunday 11th December

K'Gari at anchor Phang Nga Bay

We headed South, for a couple of wind less hours and decided to detour to Koh Pak Bia, described as a secluded anchorage. Well admittedly we were the only boat anchored.........but around the other side  the “spectacular strip of white sandy beach, with an enticing bay for snorkelling.....” were a few dozen of my friends, the speed boats and the longtails.
As usual though, the occupants seem to far more content with sizzling themselves towards melanoma crispness, rather than being in the water.

We did snorkel and yes, there were fish and coral heads and out on the drop off ,one spectacular gorgonian fan, in amazing pink.

Opposite this island, another island about 150m away , had a troop of macaque monkeys just eyeing off the tourists. Obviously its a regular stop off , for a drift past ,by the longtail trippers. The monkeys ranged from wee infants about 6 inches long, right through to the matriarch and patriarch of the troop.

Diverted again, into Chong Koh Yao to have a look,and suss out the likelihood or otherwise, of going ashore for a late lunch. We entered at low water and passed through the shallows ok. Once in the channel between the biggest islands in the Bay we decided it was akin to being in a hothouse, and that eating ashore was less interesting than being sautéed in the sun.
Followed our course back out and by now the first decent breeze in days had filled in from the NW, so for the first time in over 12months the MPS was allowed out of the bag.

Buffy "paragliding"

note the  safety gear- one life jacket.

back on board after the paraglide

Great run for a couple of hours with the MPS .I was beginning to wonder when, if  ever we would get it out of the bag again.

Anchored for the night close to the bottom of  Koh Yao Yai, just on the east side. Went ashore as there was purportedly a restaurant. We meet the owner, an incredibly friendly chap, who due the time of day cold offer nothing to eat today , but tomorrow could organize a beach BBQ for us if we wanted, or fresh coconuts in the morning. How many on board? What time were we leaving in the morning?

The next morning early we noticed him down on the beach checking I guess, if we were still there. About 30mins later he arrived on paddle board with 4 chilled green coconuts. Don't recall actually ordering room service, but we bought them anyway, and they certainly were chilled. He offered to open them for us , but we didn't actually want to consume them at that point, so we declined. Steve dealt with them, using the 18'' parang and a drill bit. The coconut water was sweet and cold and the meat was good too , once Jo dug it out.