Thailand - Haadson resort - part 1

We arrived at the Haadson resort in the evening. It was getting dark, but we could still see the beautiful sunset over the sea in the West. We were taken to our villa, that was some 200m away from the reception and the beach, in the lush tropical forest with several ponds. While I was a tiny bit disappointed for not having a sea-view, the surroundings were really beautiful and villa great.

Our villa is the fourth from the right. 

We were quite tired and after unpacking we decided to make it an early night and we even skipped the dinner.

Next morning we took a better look at everything around us and in the bright sunshine it looked even better than the evening before. We were very pleased with very spacious and pretty villa with giant bed and huge bath with the tub. Already on the way to the breakfast we met this Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and I was already forgetting the lack of sea view.

There were also several Bamboo Orchids (Arundina graminifolia) around the pool area.

The restaurant did have a sea view and the selection of food was very good. After a big breakfast we came back to the villa and started planning what we want to do and where we want to go later that day. We went to sit on our big terrace, also to see if there were any mosquitoes. Immediately I heard lots of birds singing and chirping and it was like a concert. And soon I started noticing birds in the trees around the terrace and I decided to have my phone at the ready for shooting photos.

This was a first big surprise, the Common flameback (Dinopium javanense). It was sitting in a tree across the pond, but its unbelievable pattern on the head and belly and the brown back with reddish spot in the middle were visible very well. 

Next cute bird that came into sight was the Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). And I was ecstatic! I think at that moment it was clear that we are not going anywhere for some time, until I get bored of the birds or until my phone runs out of battery.

Across the pond there were some palm trees with the red berries that seemed to be very popular with many birds. Also with this unusual Lineated barbet (Psilopogon lineatus), that I saw for the first time.

The Spotted dove or Eastern spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) came to sit quite close to our terrace, obviously it was less shy than other birds.

Next highlight was the sighting of the White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) with pretty blue back.

Here it is from the front and it's clear where its name comes from. It has a really prominent beak!

While photographing I was really quiet and didn't move much and birds started coming closer and closer. The Oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) came to rest only two meters away from me on our terrace floor.

I spent good portion of the day on the terrace watching the birds, I only made a break for coffee and some cookies. In the afternoon we finally went to the beach for a swimm and then to the pool, since there was no shade on the beach any more.

At the pool there was another surprise for us - this Southeast Asian striped squirrel (Tamiops barbei) was sitting on the railing just long enough for a good photo. These creatures are so very fast, I saw them many times in following days, and it was almost impossible to take a decent photo of them. But it was fun watching them speeding up and down the trees and over the roofs of villas.

In the early evening we walked to the nearest village to see where the shops and the restaurants and money exchanges were. On our way we saw the Ditch Jewel (Brachythemis contaminata) on the beach.

This was our beach, it looked endless, it went for miles in each direction.

Next to the road we also found the Common tree frog (Polypedates leucomystax). 

On our way back we saw this June Beetle (Lepidiota sp) on the sidewalk near our resort. The nice waitress explained to us that these beetles are often eaten in Thailand.

Then we tried one of the nearby restaurants and although the food was quite good, it was again not spicy and was very mild in flavour. 

In the evening I was browsing through my photos that I made that day and was totally happy to see and photograph so many birds and animals. And there were no mosquitoes during the day at all, only a few in the evening. We were really lucky to have ended up in place with so many animals, without even knowing it when I was booking the hotel.

Nex morning after breakfast we went to the beach while it was still shade there, then we moved to the pool, that was shaded all of the day. It was very pretty and we were alone there.

And what do you know - across the pool there were few palm trees with red berries, and also plenty of birds. I spotted this red-eyed female Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) there.

Here is the proof that the berries were very popular with birds - also this Streak-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus conradi) was munching on them.

The Lineated barbet (Psilopogon lineatus) also came by, in flight it looked very bright green and pretty.

Among other animals there were four dogs living in the resort, this is the Blacknose, shy and always hungry dog with pink ribbon around its neck. We became sort of friends. We also met another younger dog, I think its name was TikTok, that came to sleep on a day bed on our terrace one night. All dogs were very well behaved.

In the pond we saw a Water monitor (Varanus salvator) several times. We already saw one very big one near Baan Krating resort, on the stairs to the beach and it was quite close, unfortunately we didn't have our phones with us to make a photo.

Another beauty that we saw from our terrace was this Chestnut-headed bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti).

In late afternoon we walked in direction South to find another restaurant for the dinner. On the way we saw this unusual way of fishing.

The dinner was good, but not great. After the meal Tomaz found himself a hammock.

Before returning to our villa we stopped at the pool to wash our hands, and found the Banded bullfrog (Kaloula pulchra) in the sink.

Next morning, right after the breakfast, I was sitting on our terrace again. And the Common flameback (Dinopium javanense) came by again, it sat on the same tree across the pond as the previous time. Unfortunately I didn't see it flying, but I've seen some spectacular photos of it in flight in internet, it looks like a prehistoric Pterodactyl.

The Streak-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus conradi) came closer this time, to our side of the pond.

Obviously I must have been really still and quiet, as the Chestnut-headed bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti) also came really close.

Then we went to the beach and for a swim in the sea and saw the very familiar Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) above us.

To be continued...

Thailand - Surin islands - part 3

Although we had only about 40 minutes for each snorkelling, after four of them we were pretty tired when we came back in the late afternoon. So after a shower we only managed a short walk around the area. We saw this map of the islands near the restaurant, with diving and snorkelling sites on it.

In the trees we also saw a monkey, but it was too far and too fast even to take a good look let alone for taking photos. After a very good dinner we went to bed early.

Next morning we started to pack, in the middle of the day we had to leave the bungalow. While we were taking our things from the balcony, we noticed some movement in the trees below our bungalow and saw two Southern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina). And finally I was able to make some photos.

Just look at those pretty faces! 

And the show wasn't over yet - all of a sudden two flying lemurs came flying by. But unfortunately I wasn't fast enough with my phone to make a photo.

Near the beach we saw a Pond-Heron (Ardeola grayii) again.

After another delicious Thai breakfast we boarded a long tailed boat again. I had to take a photo of captain of the boat next to us as he was manoeuvring the boat away from us and the pier.

Our first snorkelling stop was near the small island Hin Kong. I was already watching it the day before on our way back and it seemed to me that it could be a nice spot for snorkelling, quite far away from everything in the middle of the bay.

The bottom was mainly large boulders and not so many corals, but the fish were abundant, just the water was quite deep and there was less light, that's why all the photos appear very blue. But we were hoping to see some sharks. 

We saw the Blue-faced angelfish (Pomachantus xanthometopan) again.

And here it was, the promised shark - the Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus). We were swimming a bit away from the group and were really lucky to have seen it, because it wasn't in the mood for company and as soon as it saw us it disappeared in the distance.

And here is the Blue-faced angelfish (Pomachantus xanthometopan) once more, this time from the side.

We also saw this really big Cuttlefish (Sepiidae), you can see how small the Feather star looks in comparison. 

Next we moved to snorkelling site named Ao Pakkad and on the way saw the white egret (the small white speck in the lower left corner of the photo).

This snorkelling was actually a "drift dive", there was a very strong current there and we actually didn't need to swim but were carried by the current along the shore over the corals to the place where our boat would pick us up. I tried swimming against the current but it was really very difficult and I struggled when I wanted to stand still to take a photo.

We saw another kind of angelfish, the Royal or Regal angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus).

 There were also some pretty pink Mushroom corals or Plate corals (Fungiidae in family of Cnidaria) there, I remember seeing so many of them in Koh Tao.

And then there were sharks again - the Blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus). I saw two of them and while the water was not so very deep and they weren't too shy, somehow I didn't manage to make good photos, this is the best one. Maybe because they were very fast.

We also saw some very pretty Sea Anemone (Heteractis magnifica), this time with blue mantles, with Three-spot dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus) fishes around them.

After snorkelling we hurried to our bungalows to shower and finish packing. Then we had a nice lunch again and afterwards we spent the early afternoon chatting with fellow snorkelers and eating ice cream, I was happy to have tried durian ice cream which was delicious.

At three in the afternoon we were brought to the boat for the journey back to mainland, which took an hour and half. And then it was another almost two hours by minivan to our next hotel.

To be continued...

Thailand - Surin islands - part 2

In the late afternoon we returned to our bungalow. The view from our balcony was beautiful. 

After a shower and a short rest we went for a walk. One of the interesting things we saw was this Cluster Fig (Ficus racemosa), where the figs grow straight from the trunk and branches.

By this time the day tourists left and the beach was almost empty and very peaceful. Our bungalow was similar to the one in the background.

Also the area in front of the dining room, where there were dozens of people during the day, was almost empty. I started looking up into the trees in hope to see some birds. And all of the sudden I saw the most unusual animal, the kind you only hear about, the Sunda flying lemur (Galeopterus variegatus). At the closer look I saw there were several of them. I couldn't believe my eyes! Something so special and so cute. This was beyond my expectations. The fun fact is that Flying lemurs are actually not lemurs and they don't fly. Sunda flying lemur and Philippine flying lemur make up the entire family of Cynocephalidae and are closely related to primates. Their flying is actually gliding and they are better adapted for flight than any other gliding mammal. In flight they resemble flying squirrels. 

At 6 in the evening we had dinner. It was described as "set dinner" (contrary to buffet style lunch), but we didn't expect such a Thai feast - there was fish, prawns, prawn fritters, vegetables, rice and it was all so delicious. And we had some fruit for dessert. There was also plenty of water and soft drinks, in Thailand alcohol is not allowed in national parks. Probably in the manner - if you want to drink and do stupid things, don't do them in protected area. And anybody should be able to live without alcohol for couple of days.

After the dinner and some talking with fellow snorkelers we returned to our bungalow to charge our cameras and devices, electricity was only available from 6 in the evening to 8 in the morning. And we went to bed early, we were pretty tired after a long and eventful day. 

Next morning while we were enjoying our delicious Thai breakfast, we saw flying lemurs again. And I took another couple of dozens of photo. How could I have resisted - look at this furry cuteness with those large eyes and red ears!

Although I was so overwhelmed by the lemurs, I still noticed this pretty butterfly, the Large Yeoman (Cirrochroa aoris)...

...and the Medium Egret (Ardea intermedia) that landed on the roof of the restaurant. 

And at 9 it was time for snorkelling. There were significantly less of us on the long tail boat than the day before and the snorkelling sites were also not too crowded. Maybe because of that we didn't need to use the life jackets this time, which was great. But visibility was not great, there was a lot of plankton floating in the water, you will notice them as small pink dots on the photos. But the area was really beautiful with  unbelievable amount of healthy corals. 

I think this might be a Lobed brain coral (Lobophyllia).

There were also some impressive Table corals (Acropora) there.

And where there are so many corals there is also plenty of fish - these two are the Red-tailed butterflyfish (Chaetodon collare).

Towards open water there were many fusilliers, the two on the right are the Goldband fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) and on the left there is a Black-axil chromis (Chromis atripectoralis), similar to Peacock chromis from previous post.

I'm not sure which coral this is, but even with extended polyps one can see the ridges and valleys, so I tip on one of the brain corals.

Here are some more Acropora corals, this time mostly Staghorn corals.

I also took a photo of Tomaz.

This fish looks like it was wearing a pyjama - it is a Striped surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus).

And Tomaz took a photo of me.

We already saw the Raccoon butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) before, first time already in Maldives, some 30 years ago.

Whenever I looked in direction open water, there was literally a soup of fish swimming near me. Beside Black-axil chromis (Chromis atripectoralis) there are also several bigger Topsail chubs (Kyphosus cinerascens) there.

This is another parrotfish and this one I managed to identify - it is a Greenhead parrotfish (Chlorurus troschelii).

This is one of my favourite fish (I know I say that often :) - it is a Longfin batfish (Platax teira).

Here is the Topsail chub (Kyphosus cinerascens) once more with Bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) cleaning it, with lots of corals in the background.

Here is one more Striped surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus), with its striped pyjama, surrounded by Staghorn corals (Acropora).

I only saw the Harlequin sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides) this once.

I was excited to see this Gorgonian sea fan (Melithaea sp.), I only saw it one more time. Unfortunately the close-up photo was not sharp.

In the afternoon, after another good lunch, we went snorkelling again. This time it was only four of us and we had the luxury of having a long tailed boat all to ourself. The first site we went to was a beautiful drop-off and we were even alone there. There was so much to see! 

This is a shy Blue-ringed Angelfish – Andaman species (Pomacanthus annularis). Don't be fooled by its false eyes that are intended to make it look bigger and more scary. The actual eyes are on the second neon blue line quite close to its mouth.

This also not very common coral is probably the Green Cup Coral (Tubastrea micrantha).

This golden beauty is a Feather star or Bright yellow crinoid (Comanthus Bennetti).

This was probably the "catch of the day",  the big Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), I saw it many times before, but not in Thailand. It was very shy and didn't let  me come closer, but I was lucky as I was the only one from our group to have even seen it.

This is again one of my favourite fish, the Blue-faced angelfish (Pomachantus xanthometopan)...

...and probably is this one, the Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator), one of my favourite fish as well.

This unusual fish is a Blotched Porcupinefish (Diodon liturosus).

The Phantom bannerfish (Heniochus pleurotaenia) has the cutest eye lashes of all the fish, unfortunately it is not so very visible in this photo.

This pretty Sea Anemone (Heteractis magnifica) was quite a sight with its white mantle, and accompanied by Western clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) and Golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus).

And at the end of the second snorkelling we saw a big Star puffer or Starry pufferfish (Arothon stellatus).

To be continued...