Ao Phang-Nga National Park- Another Day In The Bay

Ao Phang-Nga National Park
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This was the second time in less than three weeks that we visited the stunning Ao Phang-Nga Bay near Phuket. This time though we undertook a totally different approach. The focus of our first trip was to catch a glimpse of the bays stunning beauty. We joined a standard day tour from Phuket which led us to the main tourist attractions including James Bond Island and Ko Panyi ( See Kayaking Around Stunning Phang-Nga Bay And Visiting Ko Phing-Kan Island for more details).

Ao Phang-Nga National Park
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This time we joined a tour called Hong by Starlight, whose focus was more on experiencing the tranquility of Phang-Nga bays sublime natural assets than on following hordes of day trippers on their identical iteneraries. John Gray and his company SeaCanoe pioneered the exploration of the limestone rock formations of Phang-Nga in the late 1980's by using environmentally friendly sea kayaks. It was John Gray himself, who came up with a theory that one could actually enter some of the caves and narrow passages that lead into lagoons (Hongs in Thai) enclosed by tall, cylindrical limestone cliffs. After having successfully proofed his assumption John Gray started to commercially operate low volume-high quality tours to Phang-Nga. Today there are many alternatives to choose from if visiting this pristine and sensitive environment, but silent inflatable sea kayaks are probably the best mode to explore flora and fauna and get as close to nature as possible. In fact there are more than 15 copycat companies operating in the bay today offering similar products as SeaCanoe. The combination of nature appreciation, educational aspects, professionalism, friendliness of staff and great Thai food surely made this a day and a company to remember.

Local Fisherman
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Our tour on this rainy day departed around noon and we were picked up in Patong and saluted by a friendly guide. In a 40 minute bus ride we were transported to Phuket's north eastern coastal area, which is definetely on of the last remaining, unexploited natural beauties of the island. We met the 20+ other passengers at Ban Po pier and boarded the boat. After a brief introduction of the crew and an elaboration on the areas geological background, we were explained the intenarary for the day including visits of Ko Penak and Ko Hong. The crew handed out soft drinks and fresh fruits and we were assigned our personal guide for the day.

Local Fisherman
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Our first stop for the day took us to Ko Hong, not to be confused with the island by the same name close to Krabi. Our guide Max did all the paddling and all we had to do was sit back and enjoy nature. Local fisherman passed our canoe and proudly presented their catch of the day. Another stop took us to Princess Cave, where we had to lie down flat on our backs in the canoe to slip through the cave with low hanging, oyster encrusted rocks. A small light in the distance led our way to a mangrove hong, a water-filled lagoon encircled by limestone rock formations. We had less than twenty minutes in the lagoon before the low tide would make an easy passage impossible for the canoes.

Ao Phang-Nga National Park
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The highlight of the trip was yet to come. After another short canoe ride embedded in picturesque scenery all guests gathered on the boat to individually prepare a banana leaf cup with candles and flowers under the supervision of the tour guides. This procedure usually takes place once a year at a Thai ceremony called Loi Kratong. Loi Kratong is traditionally performed nationwide on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (usually some time in November). The floating of a Kratong is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Once everybody had designed their individual Kratongs, we boarded the canoes one last time. It was dark already and all you could see were the silhouettes of the rocks surrounding us. The guides paddled towards a sheltered area in front of a limestone cliff, the candles were lit and the Kratongs were released into the water. This very romantic and spiritual moment ended a day full of entertaining and educating experiences.