James Bond Island - Koh Yang, Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
Harmonie
Don and Anne Myers
Wed 9 Mar 2011 16:02
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08:15.897N 98:29.350E
On February 15th, we motored a big five miles through more of
Phang Nga's outlandish limestone creations and anchored near another popular
tourist site: James Bond Island. Part of the 1970's James
Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun, was filmed here. We'll have
to rent it when we are home to compare notes. We didn't actually set
foot on the island, so we're not sure if there were any villains with gold
teeth, gold fingers and/or gold guns hanging around. Unfortunately, we
didn't see any special order BMWs, Aston Martins or exotic women around
the area either.
 Another one of Phang Nga's outlandish limestone creations as
seen while motoring from Koh Hong to Koh Yang.
 Now that's a pinnacle. This was the view from our Koh
Yang anchorage.
 James Bond Island (or Koh Phing Kan as the locals call
it). We thought it looked a little like half-dome in Yosemite National
Park, but we didn't see anyone climbing it.
 A few of the local fisherman out in their longtail boat with
fishing poles at the ready while sitting under a particularly fragile-looking
crop of limestone stalactites. Longtails are the ubiquitous traditional
Thai local wooden boats used for everything from fishing (day and night) to
tourist transportation. They all have the prominent pointed prow decorated
with brightly colored fabric strips (tied there for good luck? or to appease
their god of choice? we're not sure). The tourist longtails have awnings
or at least an umbrella or two to keep the pale westerners from frying in the
sun, while the fishing boats like this one are generally not so
fancy. The engine sits above the stern with the 'longtail' shaft
running four feet behind it to a two-bladed prop. If it weren't for the
fact that the longtails are generally pretty to look at, especially when
traveling at a fast pace with a rooster tail of spray spewing out behind,
the racket they make buzzing to and fro could
possibly drive one insane (makes us yearn for the more gentle
putt-putt of Indonesia's traditional boats).
Anne
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