On the 7th August, we were very tired by the long journey and was not feeling to wake up in the morning. I was not feeling to wake up in the morning. But I got up and stepped in the Gallary of our room, I was taken aback by the beautiful cloudy morning waiting to greet me. Also the scenic ocean view was a bonus.
We immediately brushed our teeth, had a coffee and went to Karon beach which was at 15 minis walking distance from our Hotel. Below is the pic of Karon beach.
Ocean was roaring like Lion and as the waves hitting see shore hard no one was daring get inside the waves. But the scene was very beautiful. Sky was cloudy and gray, the ocean waters were white, foamy, and sand was white too. From beach we can see some of the Islands in the Andaman Ocean looking like bonsai from the distance. One island was looking like a green Broccoli bunch. After some photo session we took a small walk in the lanes of Phuket. I saw this lady selling some food items on the streets. I particularly like the bike which can carry your stuff and when needed can be used as a street shop. We can find such bikes many in Phuket on streets.
Also I noticed most of the hotels have open kitchen at the entrance. Customers can see the hygiene maintained and the way it is prepared. We returned to hotel with the excitement to explore more of the Phuket in remaining three Days. We got ready and had a nice breakfast. For remaining day today we had booked “Hongs by Starlight” tour by John Gray. August, we were very tired by previous Day’s he long journey followed As decided at 11AM exactly the John Gray’s Canoe trip driver came to receive us. I really love the punctuality Thai people have. It was a long one and half hours journey to the Dock. Shortly we landed on a big boat. We were the only Indian couple in the tour. Most of the crowd was from Australia. The tour started with the introduction from the captain to the crew members and what all will be done in the Day. The Breakfast served was light and delicious followed by Phuket’s famous juices. The view on the way was spectacular. So many small Islands welcomed us on our way. Lush green, stiff slanting high rocks were truly breathtaking. Water was green, the typical fresh ocean green. Phuket was at its best, as it was cloudy we sat on the overtop deck. Below are the pictures of one of the island the sharp edges of the rocks hanging from the roof of the Hongs.
After an hour or so our boat was parked at place one ocean and we were educated about canoeing by our captain. The small Islands in the Andaman sea have caves inside them, these caves are called as Hongs. They can be explored during low water time only. Usually around 2PM the water level falls and the gates of the caves are opened ( I remembered Khulaja sim sim dialogue from Alif Laila). Captain told us safety measures like how to protect ourselves while crossing the sharp rocks and not to touch any rock on our way as canoes are really small boats and some touch can influence the direction of the canoe which can be dangerous inside the hongs. In one canoe two tourists and a sailor were accommodated. I sat at the front my husband behind me and our sailor at the rare of the canoe. Below is the picture of a canoe.
Our Sailor’s name was Chap. Chap was around 21-22 years old and was tattoo loving person. All around his body he was painted, he barely knew English but few English words and our expressions completed the conversation for the rest of the day.
This was the first time I was seating on the boat so close to ocean, I have to just stretch my hand to reach water. I have done banana boat ride in past but this boat was lower that banana boat. I don’t know swimming so I preferred to wear Life Jacket. I was excited as it was my first canoeing experience. We went inside caves which had so narrow entrance that one has to lie down completely (as shown in below pic) in the canoe to pass through it, once you are inside its dark, as dark as night. Chaps torch which was mounted on his head showed us the spectacular, amazing treasure nature has saved deep inside these caves. The roofs were carved with natural salts and water dripping from the rocks. The rocks inside were hanging from the roof like a dripping drop, they were indeed very sharp. Sharp enough to cut your skin and make a serious damage. But I was so mesmerized by the beauty of mother earth that the dangers of rock didn’t scare me.
Inside some caves there were beautiful trees and fishes, crabs and other marine animals. After visiting many caves we were on our way back to the boat when the storm struck the Pha Nga Bay and it started raining.Our canoe was like a small leaf dangling on the waves. It was little bit scary but I enjoyed. After coming back on the boat we had some free time for swimming in the Andaman ocean. We had a great time, now we were hungriest and I must mention food was delicious. It was a fairytale ambiance, it was raining outside and we were having hot and tasty sea food, followed by was equally seducing coffee. Krayton is a show piece made out of natural things like flowers, leaves and banana stem. Thais offer it to ocean on every full moon night and make a wish. They believe these wishes are fulfilled. With the help of Chap we also made our Krayton. Below is stuff required to make a Krayton.
And below is how it looks after crafting.
Making and offering our Krayton was a total spiritual experience. No one said a word, the impact was long lasting. This brought an end of our wonderful day in the
Hongs by Starlight.
We immediately brushed our teeth, had a coffee and went to Karon beach which was at 15 minis walking distance from our Hotel. Below is the pic of Karon beach.
Ocean was roaring like Lion and as the waves hitting see shore hard no one was daring get inside the waves. But the scene was very beautiful. Sky was cloudy and gray, the ocean waters were white, foamy, and sand was white too. From beach we can see some of the Islands in the Andaman Ocean looking like bonsai from the distance. One island was looking like a green Broccoli bunch. After some photo session we took a small walk in the lanes of Phuket. I saw this lady selling some food items on the streets. I particularly like the bike which can carry your stuff and when needed can be used as a street shop. We can find such bikes many in Phuket on streets.
Also I noticed most of the hotels have open kitchen at the entrance. Customers can see the hygiene maintained and the way it is prepared. We returned to hotel with the excitement to explore more of the Phuket in remaining three Days. We got ready and had a nice breakfast. For remaining day today we had booked “Hongs by Starlight” tour by John Gray. August, we were very tired by previous Day’s he long journey followed As decided at 11AM exactly the John Gray’s Canoe trip driver came to receive us. I really love the punctuality Thai people have. It was a long one and half hours journey to the Dock. Shortly we landed on a big boat. We were the only Indian couple in the tour. Most of the crowd was from Australia. The tour started with the introduction from the captain to the crew members and what all will be done in the Day. The Breakfast served was light and delicious followed by Phuket’s famous juices. The view on the way was spectacular. So many small Islands welcomed us on our way. Lush green, stiff slanting high rocks were truly breathtaking. Water was green, the typical fresh ocean green. Phuket was at its best, as it was cloudy we sat on the overtop deck. Below are the pictures of one of the island the sharp edges of the rocks hanging from the roof of the Hongs.
After an hour or so our boat was parked at place one ocean and we were educated about canoeing by our captain. The small Islands in the Andaman sea have caves inside them, these caves are called as Hongs. They can be explored during low water time only. Usually around 2PM the water level falls and the gates of the caves are opened ( I remembered Khulaja sim sim dialogue from Alif Laila). Captain told us safety measures like how to protect ourselves while crossing the sharp rocks and not to touch any rock on our way as canoes are really small boats and some touch can influence the direction of the canoe which can be dangerous inside the hongs. In one canoe two tourists and a sailor were accommodated. I sat at the front my husband behind me and our sailor at the rare of the canoe. Below is the picture of a canoe.
Our Sailor’s name was Chap. Chap was around 21-22 years old and was tattoo loving person. All around his body he was painted, he barely knew English but few English words and our expressions completed the conversation for the rest of the day.
This was the first time I was seating on the boat so close to ocean, I have to just stretch my hand to reach water. I have done banana boat ride in past but this boat was lower that banana boat. I don’t know swimming so I preferred to wear Life Jacket. I was excited as it was my first canoeing experience. We went inside caves which had so narrow entrance that one has to lie down completely (as shown in below pic) in the canoe to pass through it, once you are inside its dark, as dark as night. Chaps torch which was mounted on his head showed us the spectacular, amazing treasure nature has saved deep inside these caves. The roofs were carved with natural salts and water dripping from the rocks. The rocks inside were hanging from the roof like a dripping drop, they were indeed very sharp. Sharp enough to cut your skin and make a serious damage. But I was so mesmerized by the beauty of mother earth that the dangers of rock didn’t scare me.
And below is how it looks after crafting.
Making and offering our Krayton was a total spiritual experience. No one said a word, the impact was long lasting. This brought an end of our wonderful day in the
Hongs by Starlight.
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