Sunday, October 24, 2010
To James Bond Island
Part 4 of the 4 sections of the day. Monday 27th September.
Late in the day we arrived at James Bond Island.
This view, from our long tail boat, is a rare one. Where are the hoards of tourists?
Hooray! Not there!
Jamie's plan was to arrive after they had gone. We were the only visitors to the island. The 2 National Park rangers had packed up for the day and were enjoying a beer and not at all interested in taking any money from us.
The only thing that Jamie failed to organise was the weather!
It was rather dark and gloomy - and eery.We had hoped for late afternoon sunshine and a fantastic sunset.
For those that are unaware - this island in the middle of Phang Gna Bay - some miles from the mainland - was given the James Bond name after the film The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed there.
Our boatman pulled the boat up onto the beach round the side of the island, under the huge wall of cliff.
It was hard for me to get off that boat, getting to sit on the edge and then dropping down into the sea.
This might have been the spot where I fell before leaving the boat as it swayed to one side - cracking some ribs.
We clambered up and down the rocky path, with some steps cut.
Down onto the sands of the main beach.
This is "the" classic photograph that everybody takes a James Bond Island.
Jamie and Simon smile and enjoy a beer.
James Bond and Scaramanga, on the other hand, prepare for a dual.
Jessica and John set to and decide to dam the tiny stream on the island.
At the end of the film Scaramanga's base - this rock explodes as the villain is finally defeated.
Getting dark.
We assumed we would soon be under the rain clouds. But although the journey back is at least half an hour the rain didn't ever find us.
Late in the day we arrived at James Bond Island.
This view, from our long tail boat, is a rare one. Where are the hoards of tourists?
Hooray! Not there!
Jamie's plan was to arrive after they had gone. We were the only visitors to the island. The 2 National Park rangers had packed up for the day and were enjoying a beer and not at all interested in taking any money from us.
The only thing that Jamie failed to organise was the weather!
It was rather dark and gloomy - and eery.We had hoped for late afternoon sunshine and a fantastic sunset.
For those that are unaware - this island in the middle of Phang Gna Bay - some miles from the mainland - was given the James Bond name after the film The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed there.
Our boatman pulled the boat up onto the beach round the side of the island, under the huge wall of cliff.
It was hard for me to get off that boat, getting to sit on the edge and then dropping down into the sea.
This might have been the spot where I fell before leaving the boat as it swayed to one side - cracking some ribs.
We clambered up and down the rocky path, with some steps cut.
Down onto the sands of the main beach.
This is "the" classic photograph that everybody takes a James Bond Island.
Jamie and Simon smile and enjoy a beer.
James Bond and Scaramanga, on the other hand, prepare for a dual.
Roger Moore and Christopher Lee.
Jessica and John set to and decide to dam the tiny stream on the island.
At the end of the film Scaramanga's base - this rock explodes as the villain is finally defeated.
One day it will topple of its own accord.
Getting dark.
Thunder and lightning all around.
Heavy rain falling along the horizon.
We may not have enjoyed a sunset - but we were treated to a wonderful atmosphere.
We assumed we would soon be under the rain clouds. But although the journey back is at least half an hour the rain didn't ever find us.
It felt almost inconceivable that I would ever be chugging across the eastern ocean in a long tail boat in such an exciting atmosphere.
