BAT!!
Daddy and I were on a snorkelling trip when a bat flew onto our boat while we were snorkelling. The bat was beautiful and it had a very large wingspan.
I wasn't afraid and the bat stayed with the boat until the end of the snorkelling trip. I even touched the bat's wing, which felt like webbed duck feet, but it couldn't swim which we found out when it fell in, and the boat driver fished it out. -Emma
Morakot Cave
One reason we chose to visit the island of Koh Mook, was to see the mystical Emerald Cave, or in Thai, "Morakot" Cave. Apparently the cave was used by pirates for many years to store their loot. It's not actually even a cave, but rather an enclosed lagoon complete with a white sand beach which is only accessible via an 80 metre swim through a completely dark, wave carved tunnel.
View looking up to the sky from inside Morakot Cave.
Being the Mulligan-Joneses, we stayed clear of the many guided tours to the cave, and opted instead to rent a kayak, and find it ourselves (cheaper and greater adventure!) After a 40 minute paddle to the back side of the island, we arrived at the entrance which is only accessible from the water. Some park rangers seemed to be visiting the other boats asking for the required entry fee of 200 Baht ($8) per person. For some reason (perhaps they applauded our adventurous spirit... or they thought we were fools) they ignored us...Yeah, cheaper still! We then discovered that the one lifejacket which we had been given was for an adult and didn't fit Emma. OOOps! It seems our Western safety expectations have slipped after a month in SE Asia :) Thankfully she's a great swimmer, and Keith wanted the lifejacket more anyway (he thought someone should live to tell the tale)! After tying up to the same line as all the other bigger boats, stowing our camera in the provided dry bag - hoping it was actually dry, we carefully slipped into the water, so as not to tip the kayak over, or get our one headlamp (which was not waterproof) wet! We then noticed that all the non-adventurous, guided tour people had not only waterproof headlamps and life-jackets, but also GUIDES who knew the way! Oh well, if pirates can make it, so can we!
Magically, after many metres of swimming in this black hole, we began to see the light (I know, you're all saying it's about time). We emerged into a surreal oasis of white sandy beach, a small jungle of trees, vines, and ferns surrounded by sheer rock walls lifting to the powder blue sky above.
It is easy to see why this "cave" has been so revered and treasured by the Thai people for centuries, as it can best be described as both a natural and spiritual cathedral.
View inside the cave looking towards the exit tunnel.
After an extended stay (no time line for us free spirited visitors), we headed back into our watery tunnel (you can't get out during high tide). As we swam in darkness, the sound of waves became strangely louder, the rocky roof of the cave seemed to be coming down towards us, and we began to feel sand beneath our feet. With laughter instead of panic, we realized that we'd gone down a dead end and quickly reversed our swim, this time taking the correct black hole back to the outside world.
As we paddled away from Morakot Cave, we couldn't help but feel like a band of ecstatic pirates, making off with a bag of memories that will truly last a lifetime! - Steve
This was our favourite sunset dinner spot, at Sawadee Resort on Charlie Beach (Charlie Resort is the pricey one with air con in the background. This is also where we rented a kayak for an afternoon of exploring hidden beaches, snorkelling and visiting the Emerald Cave. The sunsets were incredible here, and the Mussaman chicken curry with cashews was to die for! We even splurged for $4 G&Ts, which pushed our dinner bill up to $20... ohhhh the extravagance! -Steve
With child like mischief I shut the light on my headlamp and we are plunged into murky darkness. She clings to me, arms wrapped around my belly, for safety and comfort. Perched just above the rear wheel she excudes the excitement and freedom of biking in the dark through an island forest. Palm fronds and banana leaves stretch out over our heads as we bike down the road. Starlight and a waxing moon provide our only light as our eyes adjust to the darkness. The warm tropical night breeze tingles our sun-burnt skin. Trees on either side of the road appear to be an enchanted forest and sure enough she says, "That's where the fairies live", and indeed I believe her.
- Keith
Wow, you sure have done a lot of exciting and wonderful things. That bat is really big. The bats outside our window are much smaller. And the scenery is fantastic. I can almost feel the warm air and sunshine...almost...
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