Exploring Phang Nga

One of the things I really wanted to see last time I was in Thailand was the Gypsy village, however I never really got close enough with enough time to make it worthwhile. This time I made sure I had enough time and located a full day tour to Phang Nga. I negotiated a longtail sailor that morning to bring me to the “mainland” part of Krabi and hooked up with the tour bus. It was about an hour and half ride north east where we would get in a longtail that took us on the actual tour. We started out going past and then through the mango forest.






And then we came across some pre-historic paintings on the rocks. While you can make out that there are fish, birds, and humans, no one is really sure what they mean.


Our next stop was James Bond island (originally called Koh Phing Kan). However it was renamed after they shot one of the Bond films here. I’m not a fan of the films so I don’t know for sure, but I overheard someone saying that it was “The Man with a Golden Gun”.


The island did have some amazing features. It’s hard to tell in this picture but this rock stands hundreds of feet tall.


The island had a few, rather unique caves, that almost looked man made. Unfortunately most of the beach was occupied with numerous merchants selling all kinds of cheap trinkets and shells.




After our short stay we then pressed on to the Gypsy fishing village (or sometimes called the Muslim fishing village). There are a little over 2000 people living on this village which is supported above the water with countless pillions. This truly is a self sufficient village complete with a school, stores, and a mosque.




They prohibit any photography in the village so my still shots are from the boat. However I did sneak my video camera in to the village and let it run as I walked around, which was great because I caught some audio from one of the five times they broadcast prayers during the day. And also managed to get a few decent shots with it.


We first grabbed lunch in the village before exploring. The food was OK, in that it was different and fun to try something new, however I don’t think I would make the trip just for the dining experience. After lunch I headed out hoping to get out of the main district of shops and restaurants and get back to where most people lived. These people are Gypsies in every sense of the word. They come after you forcing all kinds of crap on you to buy and then get very mad at you when you don’t buy anything.


I was walking around when all of a sudden some crazy gypsy lady threw a monkey on me. Boy if you think you have seen me jump when a little spider falls on me you should see me go berserk when someone tosses a monkey at me. I had no idea what was going on at first and once this thing was on me I was afraid to move not knowing if this thing was going to bite me and eat my face off, or if it was the start of the movie “Outbreak 2”. She was screaming something at me in Thai and then took my picture. So I guess that camera rule only applies to outside visitors. It all made sense when she then showed me a 100 Bhat bill and motioned for me to give her one. I tried to offer her a twenty but she was having none of that, I then tried to walk away and she got mad because she already took the picture. Kind of like she provided a service and now wants money, and she does not care if I asked for the service or not. Not wanting any trouble I gave her 100 Bhat and worked my way back through the maze to the dock.


Once I was back aboard the longtail, 100 Bhats lighter, we headed towards Suwankuha Wat. This was an amazing temple inside of a cave, complete with bats and a huge sleeping Buddha. And it’s still in use, while I was there a few people came in and were blessed by the “enlightened one”. It was amazing to see and experience this decade old ritual.


This guy sat at the top of the cave and as you are climbing up you find yourself questioning if this is a real person or just a stone carving. Once I got close I told him one of my jokes and got no response, so I guess I’m not sure if he was real or not.


A few more guys in the temple who you knew were not real people.




Outside of the temple is crawling with hundreds of monkeys. It was nice that you could get as close as you want without worrying about some crazy gypsy lady tossing them at you. However I still kept my distance not knowing what they would do if I tried to pet one or even got too close.






I think I may have captured the next funny video to circulate the internet with this guy. I won’t spoil the surprise. You can watch it for yourself.


We were going to make one last stop before returning to Krabi town, and this was at the Manora Forest. This place was magical, unbelievable trees, rivers, and scenery. This is another place I would not have guessed actually existed outside of the movies. You could feel the energy in the air.






After some hiking we boarded the bus and took the one and a half hour ride back. And were we lucky, this was a beautiful day until we got on the bus and 20 minutes later it poured down rain. But with a bit more luck and it was clear again once I was back on Railay Beach. Although the longtail from Krabi to Railay was a little wet. I was pretty spent after this day and going so fast and long the last few weeks that I thought tomorrow I would do something I had not yet done on this entire trip, spend a few hours and lie on the beach catching some rays.


VIDEO: Exploring Phang Nga