Pink Phuket

We woke early and were the first to the breakfast area. Keeping with our other experiences so far, the breakfast did not disappoint. The minivan ride to the beach was a true cultural experience in itself. The first group was an older trio from Italy. The next group consisted of four young Israeli guys. The third group was a couple of scroungy looking Americans from Arkansas. The fourth group was a French couple and the last group to board was a Japanese couple with their young son. The multicultural trip lasted about an hour and resembled a tour bus in New York City.

We unloaded and merged with other groups, each with even more countries represented, at the tour office for Amazing Canoe Trips. The name instilled immediate concern. The tour guide suggested that we use the restroom before departing so we followed the arrows on the signs for "Amazing Toilets" and the name didn't disappoint either. We were amazed that we would be directed to the 'Amazing Toilets' only to find that all four stalls had "Out of Order" signs.
Thankfully we did not spend the 5 hr tour in canoes. The passengers were divided onto several large two level sightseeing boats. Our female captain was friendly and informative but spoke English with such a thick Thai accent it was difficult to understand her. Still, her voice sounded familiar - I was certain I had talked to her before on an AT&T technical support call.

Our first stop was James Bond Island. This spot was made famous when James Bond (Roger Moore) faced off with his enemy 'The man with the golden gun' (Christopher Lee). This tiny Island is marked with a highly recognizable landmark, a round stone jutting out of the water not far from the shoreline. It stands approximately 66 ft tall with a diameter of 13 feet at water level and 26 feet at the top. The island is perhaps more recognizable now by the abundance of booths and vendors selling James Bond Island and other local merchandise. Without deviation to the rule: A captive audience = sales.

The second stop on the trip we did use canoes. Passengers were divided into groups of two or three and assigned a 'canoe captain'. Later we found out that 'canoe captain' is a native Thai term which translates to 'Local among foreigners that collects tips'. The 'canoe captain' paddled us around a cove and through a short tunnel and then back around to the main boat.

Our next stop was yet another canoe ride with our same 'canoe captain' from the prior island. This time the destination was a bit more exciting. We were transported to the shoreline and let out at the mouth of a small cave which wasn't visible from the main boat. We were led though a winding passageway by our guide with flashlight in hand. He made sure to point out several 'features' of the cave, such as bats waiting to attach themselves to the young Chinese women in the group, or so these ladies thought based on their reactions. Water in the cave was knee hight at one point and at times the ceiling was too low to walk upright. The passage gave way to a hidden courtyard in the mountain, only accessible though the obscure path in which we came. The place looked like a scene from 'Land of the Lost' with tropical trees and odd protruding rock formations and made a memorable impression. Sunlight filtered down between gnarled vines and leaves from tree tops high above, and eerie sounds of birds echoed between the narrow walls. At high tide the entire area would be submerged, but for now it was an adventure. The only thing this secluded area was missing was a few vendors.

Back on the boat we had a very nice lunch and an afternoon swim in the Indian Ocean. After the swim, onboard dancing commenced among some of the passengers, and then we were given a short show by one of the local 'ladyboys' (a transgender person for which Thailand is well known). After returning to the dock, we headed back to our hotel to end an enjoyable day at sea. And if there is any curiosity as to why this entry is titled "Pink Phuket", it's because that's the way we looked at the end of the day.