During our stay in Ao Nang we were visited by our friends Phil, Nuch and their kids Queen and Dear. We spent the day visiting some of the islands just offshore. The water was fairly clear and the kids and I enjoyed some snorkeling and then a long adventure in the dinghy partially circling the island. This gave us a good view of "chicken neck" a rock formation that dominates the end of the island and looks surprisingly like a chickens neck and head. Back in Ao Nang Kathy found some interesting shopping and we managed to get caught up a bit on the internet. There was also a trip to the local veggie market for a re-stocking of fresh things.
Next stop was only a mile away at Rai Lei. This beach area has numerous resorts but is cut off from road access by huge limestone cliffs. All who visit come by boat. In the last several years the cliffs have attracted a large following from rock climbers. Similar to Yosemite valley there are shops renting equipment and we were able to watch lots of activity on the over 400 known routes.
We had a nice trip back to Phi Phi island where we had previously stopped when first arriving in the area. This time we did go ashore where it is crowded with tourists who come mainly for the scuba diving and snorkeling trips that depart from there. Dive shops and tour operators dominate the streets. We walked through the small town and enjoyed a nice dinner at a small local restaurant.
After two weeks spent visiting the Phang Nga area we returned to Ao Chalong. This time we enjoyed an anchorage a few miles east of the main one where we had stayed before. There are two nice local restaurants ashore along with a hotel. One of the restaurants can supply you with water jugs, 20 litres for 20 Bhat or about $.66 U.S. It was nice to fill our tanks again.
Here in Ao Chalong our friends Phil and Nuch once again were so helpful in providing us with transportation to shopping along with Nuch cooking us another great Thai meal. One discovery here has been the expense of taxis. No meters are used and there are set prices but they are not cheap.
After ten weeks enjoying the sights, sounds and foods of this area of Thailand we have now checked out with the authorities and are heading south toward Langkawi Malaysia. We are making several stops along the way. This morning finds us at Koh Muk where later today we'll take the kayak to visit the "Emerald Cave". This is a 80 meter long tunnel through the limestone cliff leading to a mint-green sea lagoon.
It will be a couple of more days till our arrival in Langkawi where we will once again have internet on the boat and I will be able to post more photos.
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