Thailand - Khao Lak, Similan islands - part 1

As the weather got colder and foggier and days shorter here in Žabnice, we decided to spend some time in warmer climate again. Last week of November we travelled to Thailand (again) to explore some new territories  that we haven't visit before. This time it was Khao Lak area on Western shore of Thailand North of Phuket with trips to Similan islands, James Bond island and a short stay in Surin islands.

For the first 9 days we were staying in Baan Krating resort in south part of Khao Lak. When we arrived the weather was rainy and the forecast was not great. But it turned out to be just right, we were struggling with jet lag anyway and the weather was perfect for lazying and sleeping.

The resort is set among huge trees on a slope above the shore, it is very pretty and green and the view from the terrace of our bungalow was great even in cloudy weather.

But despite the weather we had to take a closer look at this beautiful long beach and went for a walk. There were some big granite boulders on the beach...

...and there I found a Chiton (hiton in Slovene). Already on the first day and on the first walk, and I see them so rarely in Adriatic. Of course I was excited.

We also checked the pool area and it was also very pretty.

On the second day we decided to take a cooking course, as the weather was still pretty cloudy. All the ingredients were beautifully prepared and the hotel cook explained everything to us and it was not difficult at all.

We cooked a seafood salad, a prawn coconut soup and bananas in coconut cream for desert. And at the end we got to eat it all, it was all very delicious.

Luckily the third day the weather started to clear and we went for a walk to the next village, some 20 munutes away. On the way we saw this beautiful butterfly with a funny name, the Great eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina)...

...and some pretty Heliconias (helikonija in Slovene).

Next day we rented a scooter and drove to Lampi waterfall. It is surrounded by lush jungle.

Below the waterfall there is a bathing area, where we both swam. It was very refreshing and welcome as the day was hot and very humid.

I was again drawn to nature. It took a lot of photos to get a decent one of this fast-moving butterfly - the Anderson's grass yellow (Eurema andersonii).

We also met this Common flying lizard (Draco volans).

This butterfly belongs to swallowtail family, it is the Great mormon (Papilio memnon), and luckily it sat on the ground for a few seconds and made taking photos a bit easier.

One of the best things in Baan Krating resort were all the complimentary things we got every day - besides usual water we also got coffee capsules, soft drinks and beer and the best thing - a big basket of fresh fruit, oranges, apple, pear and dragonfruit. Very nice.

As the sunny weather continued we booked couple of one-day trips. First was to Similan islands, probably the most popular trip in this part of Thailand, so we knew it is going to be very crowded.

Already at the dock there were many boats and many many more people. 

It took almost one and a half hour to get there and we were first brought to the first snorkelling spot. There were lots of people there in the water as well, but it was not too hard to find a bit more elbow room by swimming a bit on the outer side of the crowd or in a bit deeper water. 

But the underwater world was still very beautiful, full of life and colours. We found an Orange-striped triggerfish (oranžna balestra ali kostorog or Balistapus undulatus).

This elegant fish is Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus).

The Lettuce corals (Agaricia agaricites) looked very pretty.

I love all fusilier, there are many sorts and all are very shiny. These are Manylined fusilier (Caesio varilineata).

And these are the Vermiculated spinefoot (Siganus vermiculatus), relatives of rabbitfish.

I like the pattern that this Bluespotted pufferfish (Arothron caeruleopunctatus) has around the eyes.

And here is one very famous fish - Nemo or Western clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris).

Here is another triggerfish - the Clown triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum), unfortunately it didn't want to pose for the photo.

There were plenty of different Parrotfish, unfortunately I couldn't find the name of this one.

This is the Giant triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens).

These guys are soooo pretty and colourful, and they have a great name - Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus).

This is a Peacock grouper (Cephalopholis argus) in company of Cromises.

And here are some Red-tailed butterflyfish (Chaetodon collare) hanging in the water.

Behind the Powder-blue surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucosternon) there is also a Singular bannerfish (Heniochus singularius).

And another triggerfish - the Indian triggerfish (Melichthys indicus), but not the last one we saw this day.

After snorkelling we were brought to the main island for lunch and some beach time. Because of the waves the crew had to hold the boat steady with lines, so that we could disembark.

The beach and the water looked beautiful and there was even some shade on the beach, which was great.

Lots of people were enjoying the waves and the warm water.

Lunch was also not bad, especially the curry was really nice. And there was plenty of space in the shade as well. In the tall trees there were Flying foxes hanging from the branches and sleeping. 

To be continued...