{"id":3120,"date":"2017-02-04T23:17:51","date_gmt":"2017-02-05T07:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jeffersonscher.com\/ttw\/?p=3120"},"modified":"2019-03-31T11:01:02","modified_gmt":"2019-03-31T18:01:02","slug":"happy-hours-at-sea-and-on-land","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jeffersonscher.com\/ttw\/2017\/02\/happy-hours-at-sea-and-on-land\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Hours at Sea and on Land"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tarutao National Marine Park includes the enormous but seldom visited island of Tarutao, and the more remote Adang-Rawi group of islands where, weather permitting, we will spend many hours face down in the water and enjoying unspoiled vistas (or various beverages) on white sand beaches.<\/p>\n

Thursday, February 2, 2017<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Bara Resort knows how to make porridge and fry an egg, but the noodles were far too chewy (and unfortunately, would make a second appearance, no more cooked than before, in our lunch boxes). Soon we found ourselves on the dock with our bags — I had slimmed down to one large wheeled duffel, a bag of snorkel and beach gear, a backpack, and a separate camera bag — ready to board a chartered speedboat.<\/p>\n

In previous years, Kasma was able to rent a huge converted fishing boat that offered multiple levels of seating and a high view from the sunny upper deck. The boat we used in 2015 seemed to be falling to pieces and has since been retired, so the best available option this year was a speedboat. On the minus side, speedboats offer very little open air seating for those who like to photograph in all directions or whose stomachs do not do well in interior seating. And then there\u2019s the smell of partially combusted fuel when the boat needs to go in reverse, which definitely doesn\u2019t help with the stomach issues. But they are much faster than the big fishing boats, so if you are bored by a leisurely cruise and want to start your beach time ASAP, it\u2019s a fine choice.<\/p>\n

We disembarked at Koh Kai (Egg Island), a picturesque rock with a fine white sand beach divided by an iconic arch known as the Lover\u2019s Gate. (When the tide isn\u2019t too high, you can walk through the gate to find the more secluded end of the beach, but you\u2019ll need to bring your own lover with you.) We spread out our beach mats and towels, and observed a loud rustling from the mat of fallen leaves behind us — and it appeared to be moving. Dozens of hermit crabs in very similarly colored shells came out of the leaves to visit us and retreated to the leaves when crows appeared. The ants, on the other hand, were relentless; some of them ended up stowing away with us and reappearing on our speedboat.<\/p>\n

Before lunch, there was time for a little snorkeling around the point of the island. There isn\u2019t a beautiful reef here, but there are quite a few fish who call it home. Photo opportunities abounded above the water as well, from pretty vistas to the occasional raptor, and of course the other tourists who flock to the island for a brief time to get selfies with the arch.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lover's Gate Arch on Ko Kai<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\"\"Hermit Crab in the Leaves on Ko Kai<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\"\"Hermit Crab Visits My Mat on Ko Kai<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\"\"Brahminy Kite Surveys Ko Kai<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\"\"Christmas Tree Worms on Coral, off Ko Kai<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\"\"Two-Spot Snapper, off Ko Kai<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\"\"Apprehensive Clown Anemonefish, off Ko Kai<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\"\"A School of Trevalley, off Ko Kai<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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