The beaches on Pattaya were way too commercialized so we decided to take a ferry to a nearby island, that was relatively uninhabited and unspoilt, for a day of snorkelling and sun. We nearly took an expensive guided tour to our planned destination of Coral Island, but the concierge at our hotel was nice enough to show us how to get there by just playing regular rates on the local ferry. We ended up paying one dollar Canadian, instead of $30 per person. 
Once on the island, we had to get across the 5 miles on the back of a pickup truck `taxi.` 
It was worth the trip as this was truly a Coral island – the sand was comprised of ground up white corals. 
Though the tide was out, the clarity of the water was at least 20 feet. Though the coral diversity was not much, yet I managed to find some unspoilt sections with 6 foot coral outcroppings.
Once on the island, we had to get across the 5 miles on the back of a pickup truck `taxi.` It was worth the trip as this was truly a Coral island – the sand was comprised of ground up white corals. Though the tide was out, the clarity of the water was at least 20 feet. Though the coral diversity was not much, yet I managed to find some unspoilt sections with 6 foot coral outcroppings. I spied a family of pink Clown fishes in their anemone, some huge parrot fishes and lots of butterfly fishes. I had to watch out for the spines of the black spiny urchins that were all over the place.
Yet another moment of awe and wonder at the creativity of God. 
As a kid, my dream was to live on a coral island and do nothing but swim, snorkel and soak in the sun. I’m thankful that I can live out that dream, a few days at a time, when I get these rare opportunities in some of my favourite beaches. 
I Saw From the Beach
I saw from the beach, when the morning was shining,
A bark o'er the waters move gloriously on;
I came when the sun o'er that beach was declining,
The bark was still there, but the waters were gone.
And such is the fate of our life's early promise,
So passing the spring-tide of joy we have known;
Each wave that we danced on at morning ebbs from us,
And leaves us, at eve, on the bleak shore alone.
Oh, who would not welcome that moment's returning
When passion first waked a new life through his frame,
And his soul, like the wood that grows precious in burning,
Gave out all its sweets to love's exquisite flame.
As a kid, my dream was to live on a coral island and do nothing but swim, snorkel and soak in the sun. I’m thankful that I can live out that dream, a few days at a time, when I get these rare opportunities in some of my favourite beaches. I Saw From the Beach
I saw from the beach, when the morning was shining,
A bark o'er the waters move gloriously on;
I came when the sun o'er that beach was declining,
The bark was still there, but the waters were gone.
And such is the fate of our life's early promise,
So passing the spring-tide of joy we have known;
Each wave that we danced on at morning ebbs from us,
And leaves us, at eve, on the bleak shore alone.
Oh, who would not welcome that moment's returning
When passion first waked a new life through his frame,
And his soul, like the wood that grows precious in burning,
Gave out all its sweets to love's exquisite flame.
by Thomas Moore
Lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteI plan to go there myself this year, checked out ll details i required at
http://www.amazingthailand.co.in/