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Published: February 10th 2017
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Breakfast before getting on the speedboatToday we were picked up at 7am for a very long day trip to the Surin Islands. We would have preferred the Similans, a much shorter journey to the boat pier, but we were too late - all the trips were full. So as it looked like the best day weather wise we bit the bullet, paid 2600b each and got up early. The minibus was waiting at 7, 3 Germans already in it. We went to another guesthouse and no one was waiting. One of the German ladies had PLENTY to say about it, especially when a couple ambled out, not even hurrying. Haha! They weren't for our trip. Then the right couple emerged at a trot, they had been told 7.15 and it was exactly that, so there you go!
The minibus took about 1 1/2 hours, such a beautiful journey, lush rain forest, mountains, rubber trees, banana palms, it was so nice. We passed (dangerously, in many cases - the driver was in a rush to get there) school tuktuks absolutely jammed with kids, some hanging off the back. You would NOT want your kid to be doing that, better to be inside, sardine-like. On arrival we
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Off to the Surin Islands had a sort of breakfast, toast, dodgy orange juice, nice tea. Then onto the speedboat, only about 30 people and it can take 50, so we had plenty of room and it wasn't too choppy either way. You go out through channels between mangrove trees to start with and we stopped to pick up a family from an eco resort on an island. It was very remote, sooner them than me!
At the back of the speedboat were some sea gypsies, we were going to look a round their village as our first stop. Sam said she didn't fancy it, not comfortable with it. I did fancy it but Sam was right. It was awkward! Our guide took us to an information display and explained about their lives, dry season on their boats, wet season in huts on stilts, not in the sea but on the beach. There is a school for the children now and a first aid hut, but their lives have totally changed, most employed in tourism now, taking tourists snorkelling or selling trinkets. In fact it was the children selling trinkets. All the English they knew was 'Hello, 50 baht', sitting behind their friendship bracelets
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Sea Gypsies getting a lift home etc. We did not like this at all. Using children as they were more appealing. We didn't buy anything, they looked very guarded, as I would in their situation. Taking photos of their houses was OK but it felt intrusive to be there. Apparently they all love sugary drinks and instant noodles, now they have rotten teeth. There were big satellite dishes for watching TV. A Japanese couple gave 2 children 20b each, turn them into beggars who think tourists are there to give money, why don't you! It was demeaning and ridiculous. We were glad to leave and wished they had a better way to make money.
The first of 3 snorkel stops was fabulous. Sam got her action camera to work in its waterproof case, mine wouldn't turn on, very annoying. She took some great videos with it, we saw clown fish (we Found Nemo!), crown of thorns starfish (vivid purple with back spikes) violet starfish, a brilliant selection of fish and the coral was alive and amazingly colourful. It was a very worthwhile trip. Buffet lunch on another island, tasty food. We walked around and saw the accommodation. We'd thought about staying one night in a
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We picked some people up on an island, staying at an eco resort tent, but weren't sure, now we wish we had! We got back to the pier at 4.30, then another hour and a half by minibus back. Were were pooped by the end.
The company we went with was called Greenview Tours. They were very well organised and the only one with last minute spaces. There are other companies, a bit cheaper. Don't take any motice of the prices printed in the leaflets, we bought through our hotel and they discounted the price straight away.
Out for dinner, home early, a lazy day on the beach tomorrow, keeping our backs out of the sun as we made the rookie error of not wearing rash vests or a life jacket. Rather red now!
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