Similan Islands

Today we went on a trip to the Similan Islands. We had been a bit apprehensive about booking it originally as it was a bit more money than other trips to other islands but we had heard good things so decided to go for it.

We were picked up at 6:15am. The sky was grey and it was raining. We had to run to the minibus. We drive for almost two hours under very grey looking clouds which threatened to ruin the day. We arrived at the SeaStar (the company) base at around 8:10 and were given a towel and snorkel equipment. There was breakfast laid out for us too. Lauren got chatting to one of the group of middle aged Asian men next to us. They were drinking beer and doing shots of what looked like whiskey and it wasn't even 9am. The one chatting to Lauren asked for a photo with her so she agreed. She then watched over his shoulder as he zoomed right in on her face and then sent the photo to a whole load of people. I thought it was funny but Lauren was not so amused.

We hopped onto a speedboat just after 9 with 33 other people. It had two benches along the side for people to sit on but we managed to get the best seats on the boat; a little seat facing forward right at the front. As we left it started chucking it down and everyone got a bit soaked as the rain came in under the tarpaulin shelter. But it cleared up really quickly to blue skies with a few white clouds as we got out to the islands. The boat went so fast and was jumping over the waves but it was kind of fun. There was one girl who obviously didn't agree; she looked terrified before we even left and was hanging on to her friends/boyfriend for dear life, but she obviously got used to it as she was passed out on her also passed out boyfriend's shoulder on the way back.

The Similan Islands are a group of islands out in the Adaman sea and it took an hour and 20 minutes to reach our first stop, where we anchored up between islands 3 and 4 for some snorkeling. The water was so clear and there were quite big fish and so many different coloured ones. It was absolutely fantastic.

Next we stopped on island 4 for a buffet lunch. We had rice and spaghetti and chicken, whilst sat on a mat on the ground. Then we walked to another part of the island to spend some time on the beach. We swam in the beautifully blue sea and took some pictures before returning to the boat.

We drove over to the edge of island 9 for some more snorkeling. Again the water was really clear however there was not as many larger fish. There was tonnes and tonnes of tiny ones those. It was also a bit deeper here so we weren't as close. We stayed here for about 40 minutes before getting back on the boat and heading to our final stop, Similan Island itself, number 8. It had a rock formation called Sail Rock which doubled a look out point. We climbed up and looked out over the bay and the sea. It was so beautiful. Our tour guide acted as a photographer, telling us where to stand and what poses to do as she snapped away. 

Then we went down to the beach for a quick splash about in the awesome blue water before getting back onto the boat at 3pm for the last time and heading back to the mainland.

We arrived back at base at 4:15pm where there was more food waiting for us. I had a small plate of noodles and some chicken and Lauren had an ice cream. Then we hopped on the bus back at to our hostel around ten past five. We weren't on it for long before we pulled into a garage to get a tyre changed. I'm not entirely sure what was wrong with it; it didn't look flat but oh well. We waited about half an bur before heading off again. We eventually made it back just before 8, before jumping in the shower and relaxing after an awesome but long day.