2008-04-23 Koh Samui
It is another early start today, as we have joined a day tour to the Ang Thong Marine National Park. We are picked up at 7:30 am when we are still very tired. We get on the ferry with a bunch of other anticipated tourists heading to the islands. I guess many others are frowning a bit like me, since the sky does not look good with a huge grey cloud right above the islands. It is like we are driving directly into the mist expecting to get very wet and blown away from the stormy cloud instead of the beach and landscape.
As we are approaching the islands, the sky gets a bit clearer. We are in the 2nd group which go to the top view point of Ko Mae Ko (the mother island) first then kayaking. The trekking trail is nice and the view is great. There is also a small saltwater lake on the island with glass clear water and lots of fish. Back down to the beach, we get on our kayak with our stuff in a waterproof bag. It is great fun to go around and in between the islands by kayaking.
After some non-stop paddling, we have some delicious lunch on board. Later, we decide to kayak again. The wind is getting stronger this time and so does the waves. It also begins to rain – hard but warm rain. We are totally soaked, but still fun.
At the beach on Koh Wua Kalap (where the Park office is), we are provided some snorkeling equipment. However, the tour guide says she has spotted a red fire jellyfish, so we are advised not to snorkel in deep water and it is no fun to snorkel close to the beach. Besides, the cold wind really drives us out of the water. I have known from the tour guide that it is possible to stay overnight on the island for just 500THB (about 10€), which would be nice in good weather. We kajak back to the ferry and head back to Koh Samui.
