Myanmar Visa Run

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Waterfront, Ranong, Thailand

Transport

Low Tech

Judy and Mr. Rong

Local Ship

Kawthaung



Tea Shop

Goods Shipment

Market

Soldiers, Kawthaung, Myanmar

Monkey Business

We were talking to Linda and Dave from Nimbus at dinner one night and Linda mentioned that there were monkeys in the bush behind Pranang Beach. We'd been ashore there the day before but hadn't noticed any monkeys. We were determined to find them and, if possible, get some shots so we headed that way the next day.

After we got to the beach and pulled up the dingy we set out directly into the jungle, promptly got a bunch of bug bites for our trouble, and saw no monkeys although we heard one drop to the ground from a tree near us and take off running through the bush. I knew it was a big monkey by the heavy thump he made as he landed on the hard ground, but I never saw him.

We worked our way down towards the resort at the other end of the beach and breaking out into the clear we struck paydirt. A bunch of tourists were pointing up into a tree. We spotted the Spectacled Langur in the tree which resulted in the first photo below.

But the real photo opps came a few moments later when we saw that a whole troupe of Macaques had gathered near the resort and had surrounded some gawking humans, apparently distaining to pose for the cameras because they studiously avoided looking at the cameras but staying nearby and in plain view for several minutes.

The monkeys were too fast for me when they were swinging through the trees but I had no trouble finding subjects to shoot as they sat on the walls of the resort and nibbled nuts and leaves on some of the lower branches.


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Krabi, Thailand

Phang Nga Bay

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Beautiful

The first stop on our Phuket cruise was Phang Nga Bay and, as reported, we found it to be beautiful.

Hand Signals

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Judy on the fordeck

Judy give us the hand signal which means that the anchor is holding and we can kill the engine.

Anchored

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Wings

It seemed like we were anchored out in the middle of nowhere but this is the recommended anchorage.

Ashore

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The deserted beaches looked inviting so we piled into the dingy and went exploring.

Quiet Time on the Beach

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Fred photographs Judy

Time for a swim

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Judy and the Avon

Swimming

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Judy and Candace frolic in the afternoon in Phang Nga Bay

First Light

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Phang Nga Bay

On Deck

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Phang Nga Bay

I woke up early and came on deck at the sound of the long tail boat going past.

Before Sunrise

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Phang Nga Bay

The long tail boats head out with first light.

Buying Shrimp

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Candace Bargains

Seeing Candace get out of bed at sun-up to bargain with the shimp sellers gave us a clue about how much our granddaughter loves shrimp.

Shrimp Seller

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Shrimp SellerThey seemed happy enough with the bargain Candace made; we sure were. There were about 25 big shrimp for $2.00

Phang Nga Bay at Sunrise

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Long tail boat heads out

Big Ones

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$2.00 of shrimp

We were pretty happy with the fresh shrimp we got for $2.00.

Raising Anchor

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Judy & Candace

Raising the anchor in Thailand's Phang Nga Bay, Candace takes some photos and Judy operates the anchor windlass

Peeling Shrimp for Lunch

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Candace

A glass of white wine and a plate of fresh shrimp, what can be finer?

Ton Sai Bay-Phi Phi Island

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Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi Island is said to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world and we would not disagree.

Speed Boats

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Phi Phi Speedboats

These high speed tourboats come in all sizes at Phi Phi Island, from these 22 footers up to 40 footers. They are all outboard powered and the biggest ones have three V-6 Yamaha motors. Boy do those boats sing as they fly past with all three motors at full throddle.

Phi Phi Don Island

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Phi Phi

Arrival in High Season

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Phi Phi Wharf

Another full boat comes to Phi Phi Don Island during high season. When the boat arrives all the passengers walk ashore and head for: hotels, bars, shopping; it all involves spending of money and the local love it.

Tsunami Memorial Day

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Phi Phi Wharf

This place was wiped out in the Tsunami in 2004. Now it is rebuilt and I loved this crude wharf, but of course the government doesn't agree: they are building a new concrete wharf which will have not personality like this one does.

Ashore on Phi Phi

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Phi Phi Don

These streets are fun to wander through and look for that special souvenir to take home to uncle Bob.

Shopper

Candace Pyper

We all had fun shopping on Phi Phi Island

Thai Silk

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Candace Pyper

She likes the Thai Dragon on the back.

Confidence

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Long Tail Driver

We wanted to go on a snorkleing trip to Phi Phi Lei and this fellow just happened to offer us such a trip on the streets of Phi Phi Island. It took us only a minute or two to agree on a price (1000THB, or $30, for two hours). 15 minutes later we were underway.

I have not quite figured out the purpose of all the controls this man had at his fingertip, but I think the rope hanging down was to help him keep the propeller at the right height. Like his sophisticated driver's chair?

But he operated the boat with skill and confidence.

Going for a Boat Ride

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Phi Phi Taxi

This boat can carry 8 or 10 persons; with three of us it had a lot of room left over.

Inside the Longtail Boat

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Thai Wood

The local commercial boats called long tails are traditional wood construction and mostly unpainted. They are solid feeling in a choppy seaway however. I felt secure and safe travelling in this vessel.