JBR(6) – HKT Day 3: ahoy there!

Our other day trip was to Koh Phanak and the Hongs with Capt Mark and crew aboard the Sakai.

We were picked up from our hotel and driven to Ao Po pier where upon arrival, our group of 8 got into a songthaew to be transported to the other end of the pier.

Then we were ferried in groups of 4 by dinghy to the Sakai which was moored nearby.

Destination: those lime stone islands up ahead.

Along the way, Chef Ya buys fresh seafood from passing fishermen.

We had already been fed fresh fruits, kuih and deep fried chicken wings up to this point and I was beginning to wonder if I’d any space for lunch.

Luckily, it was time for us to get into the dinghy and explore the hongs and caves. That meant I could work up and appetite again. “Hong” means “room” and refers to lagoons hidden behind the facade of these limestone isles.

We visited 2 hongs and 3(?) caves. Of the 2 hongs, there was one which was special because it was the only one which you could walk around in during low tide.

After our stint as modern day pirates and cave explorers, it was time for a siesta on the beach.

But not for very long though because Ya, Small Kob, Big Kob and Capt Noi arrived with lunch! On the menu – masaman curry, tom yum soup, steamed prawns, deep fried fish, vegetable curry. Being true blue Malaysians, Lis and I plonked down on their mat rather than remain on our own mats so that we could be right where the food was.

Unfortunately, the end of lunch meant that it was time to sail back to the main island. But, as you can see from the picture I took for the SG boys with Capt Mark, we all left as very happy campers.

This day was a complete opposite from the previous day out to Phi Phi. The group was small (8 compared to 40), the going was easy (slow sail as compared to speed boat), and there was plenty of personal interaction with Capt Mark. Also, whereas we had to share the islands with hordes of other tourists, on this trip we had the beaches, caves and hongs all to ourselves.

Phuket Sail Tours comes highly recommended if you’re looking for a tour which feels more personal and relaxed. But hey, I’d go back again just to be able to taste Ya’s cooking too.

HKT3