3rd March - Koh Racha Yai to Koh Muk/Mook

Monday 3rd March

Not enhanced, this time!

Koh Racha Yai was much calmer after 4pm, when the dozens of tourboats vanished, in a puff of smoke, taking their shrieking hordes with them.

We went for a walk, once we had negotiated the long and wobbly jetty – like a congaline of big inflatable lego blocks.  We made our way to the other side of the island, with a bit of a help from a nice bloke pulling a wagon behind a brand new Kubota tractor.

It was lovely on the other side, but a bit wilder. 

Along the way we found an almost deserted bar – a perfect hippyshack. 

A few women were inside, waiting patiently for the next shrieking group of divers to make their way across.  And outside was my new Best Friend Forever (BFF.)  He ambled up and leaned his large head on my arm, waiting for a bit of a scratch behind the ears.  Oh bliss, for both of us… He is the first animal I have patted since I have been in South East Asia – I am just a bit afeared of rabies, and scabies, and whatever.  But this bull – well how healthy and unthreatening could an animal be??

And outside, in the undergrowth – a wrecked truck, always a favourite camera shot, for me.

Also I want to apologise to this little inlet… My morning swim was coral-free.  But in the late afternoon I turned right instead of left and yes, as Pete suggested, there was lots of coral.  All the same, stiff brown, with white edges, but – coral!  Thriving!

We left early in the morning on Sunday and made our way across the calm and balmy sea to Koh Muk.  No wind, no waves, no bashing into the sea.  Perfect!  We arrived at around 3pm, which is a very good time to anchor.

Pete baked a loaf of bread along the way – probably his best one yet.

As soon as we got here, I went for a swim.  Of course… It was very hot (around 38) and the sea was so very inviting, with large schools of tiny silver fish circling the boat.  Magic!

Early in the morning – around 6.30 – the tide was very low so we set off for the Emerald Cave.  Pete was fully kitted out in wetsuit, socks etc – he is very susceptible to stings and bites and I could just imagine the havoc a large pink jellyfish might wreak upon his tender skin.  But…as we approached the cave, he realised we could just slip in, with the engine gently putt-putting – no need to get into the water at all!

And inside the cave it was totally glorious.  No shrieking hordes!  Just us and the surrounding jungle, and the silky beach.

And some sharp pointy rocks!

Oh and...sunset!!