James Bond Island Tour

---

Well we did it!! Up early in for breakfast before 7.30 and ready for our pick up at 8.30. There were 11 of us in our bus and 10 in the other a total of 21. We got the good bus the other bus got the two with the eskie full of beer which they were knocking back as soon as the wheels started turning!!! Our fist stop was Suwankhuha Temple or Monkey Cave a holy site with monkeys, Buddha's and bats. No drinking allowed at the holy site - pissed some people off!! but it was a very peaceful place and reminded us of the Batu Caves but on a much smaller scale.
After that it was back on the bus and into the town of Phan-Nga but not the pier we were at a few days before which was hibismal this was a lively Thai run pier as opposed to the muslim pier where nothing was happening. Our long tail boat was waiting and we took off for James Bond Island. We passed miles of healthy mangrove swamps which was very encouraging for the eco system. Then it was on to the floating island village of Koh Panyee home to 1450 people - it has its own doctor, primary school gets water from the mainland and has a generator for power. All the mod cons of Wifi and television and cell phones. What took us by surprise was the amount of restaurants and shops. As we arrived early there were not many people there but as our lunch came to an end (tom yam soup, fried rice, crispy fried fish and prawns, mixed stir fried veggies, chicken drum sticks and fresh pinapple for dessert) the tours started pouring in and the place started filling up. I must add that it was incredibly clean especially the WC which was the cherry on the cake!!
We took off at last for James Bond island and even though there are many castes this one is iconic and it stands out. Once again you are accosted by tourism on arrival - shops selling all sorts of stuff you dont need at a higher price than anywhere else. A very short walk and WOW you see the James Bond Island in all its glory and if you are lucky and i was you can get a picture without any tourists in it so you get the feel of isolation that James Bond was lucky to have i am sure in 1974 when the movie - Man with the Golden Gun was made. What a spot. What an industry it created for the people in this region. Hundreds of tourists daily arrive at this spot to see this piece of rock.
After this it was back on the boat to the canoes which we had not signed up for but a great way to see the limestone caves. You go 3 people in a canoe the guide and two people. We were taken on a further boat tour while the others were doing their canoe trip. Then it was time to head back a quick look at a local waterfall but it not being the rainy season and even though i was hot i did not fancy a swim. The bus drive back was uneventful and a great day was had by all!!

---

Photos

Suwakhuha Temple
A beautiful reclining Buddha and monk

Koh Panyee Floating Island
This is the amazing floating island along with restaurants and shops and no alcohol - its a muslim village!!

The Beach as you arrive
Stalls as you arrive selling things you dont need or want

James Bond Island
The Iconic James Bond Island

Mangroves
a small section of mangrove swamps that look healthy and go on for miles