James Bond Island, known originally and locally as Ko Tapu or Nail Island, found fame through the 1974 Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun". The film starred Roger Moore and Christopher Lee (as the three nippled arch-villain Scaramanga) but it was the scenic topography that helped make the film into a firm Bond favourite. It also turned the previously unknown Phang Nga Bay into a major tourist attraction. The island as a tourist attraction Everyday tour buses packed with thousands of tourists leave Phuket for the daylong sightseeing trip driving two hours to Phang Nga Bay, often stopping at the popular Monkey Caves (Wat Suwankuha) to see the large reclining golden Buddha inside the caves and the large flocks of monkeys outside. After this the bus takes them to Phang Nga Bay where they ... read more

The minibus was due to pick us all up at 8am, unfortunately l had set my alarm for 7am and the next thing l remember was Tish telling me that l had 5 minutes to be ready as the Minibus would be here any minute. The Surin-to-Phang Nga trip is only 90 minutes, the drive is a scenic, all-natural stimulant; you’re guaranteed to be wide awake on arrival. And what an arrival it is. The sea a distant memory, the minibus turns off the cliff-lined highway and makes its way down the narrow road, winding around green hills, over rivers, and past grazing cattle before finally arriving at base camp. All events start and end here. Coffee, tea, soda and water (complimentary, of course) are always available in the open air, riverside dining hall; lockers are ... read more

Sonja had told us that it was adult night out on Saturday, so Edward, Ludwig, Chris & Frankie stayed home with DVD and all we were told that we were going to Phuket Town and be ready by 7.30pm. So myself, Tish, Sam, Sonja, Jacque, Chris & Aidan travelled to Phuket by taxi, without a clue what was planned for us. Ka Jok See is Phuket Town's most popular restaurant. It's hidden away on a side street called Takua Pa just a half block from busy Ratsada Road, the city's main thoroughfare. There's no sign outside just a wall of tropical plants greets the customer. Ok so we are here to have a meal, how wrong could l have been. We ordered cocktails (Yep Mai Tai) and sat chatting, Food was ordered and then one by ... read more

Today was the day to explore the north end of Phuket and we all took to our Scooters and made our way up and down hills with amazing views onto the sea as we made our way to Mo Mo beach. We arrived onto the beach with only about 4 other people on the beach, this time we did not have time to lay and relax here as we planned to see as many beaches along this side of the island. After a quick refreshment break we were all back on the road. Let’s see if we can get on that small island!!! Whilst driving along the beach front we all saw a small island not far from the main coast line. We parked up and with some funny looks from some locals in a fishing ... read more

Sorry for the delay in my blogs, its now 3rd January 2009 and still blogging about Sri Lanka in December 2008. This is the last chapter from Sri Lanka before I arrived in Thailand. Mihintale The morning sun was in full swing and as l started to climb the first set of steps my T-Shirt being to show the signs of the heat and became wet. Once at the top you come across a statue of King Devanampiya and just behind him was a giant rock with steps craved into them, so l started to climb them, and climb until l reached the huge white Buddha. The view from here over the grounds on Mihintale was amazing. Once back down again there was the central Dagoba that was the first one built here. Next to the ... read more