Langkawi............Malaysia
Langkawi is so unusual it is under consideration as a UN Geopark. Langkawi is a collection of around 100 islands that form an archipelago. While most are uninhabited, a few have been designated for tourism so that visitors from all over the world can admire and appreciate the magical beauty of Langkawi.
Pulau Tuba is a beautiful, remote island that is home to a group of traditional
fishermen. The island is a great place to do bird-watching and
jungle-trekking..
Pulau Dayang Bunting's name translates to ‘Isle of the Pregnant Maiden’, and is the second
largest island of Langkawi. Draped in verdant rainforest, the flora and fauna
found here is amazing. A large lake on the island is believed to have magical
properties; the water grants barren women fertility, hence its name. The water
is also great for swimming. A cave called Gua Langsir sits here, home to
thousands of bats
Pulau Singa Besar island may lack the size but it certainly makes up in heart.
It is a wildlife sanctuary for monkeys, deer, snakes,
lizards and birds. The island is also rich in unique rock formations and
mangrove plants.
West Coast Thailand
This area of Thailand has played host to various Hollywood film crews over the years. First used as a stunning scenic backdrop to add tropical, oriental mystery in scenes from James Bond films, islands in the Andaman sea later leant a remote all-natural feel to "The Beach" based on the novel by Alex Garland.
The Andaman (South West) Coast is the Indian Ocean coast of Thailand from Burma to Malaysia and offers some of the most beautiful and pristine tropical coast and islands anywhere in the world. The coral reefs, clear, turquoise waters, magnificent beaches and marine life are protected in no less than 12 Marine National Parks.
- Koh Panyee - This small island has a picturesque village, which
rests precariously on small pilings and extends out across the water. It is
inhabited chiefly by Muslim fishing gypsies, whose unique culture has existed
cut off from the mainland and most modern amenities for more than a hundred
years. Souvenir shops and seafood restaurants cater to visitors.
- Kao Ping-gan - The name means literally leaning mount. It is
really a huge rock split in two; the smaller half has slid down and the
remaining one appears now to be leaning. Through Kao Ping-gan is a very small
island, one still smaller, Kao Tapoo or James Bond Island, is in a little bay of
Kao Ping-gan where visiting boats pull up. Tapoo means nail, and this shoreless
rock projects up from the sea as its name implies - flat and wide at the top,
and very narrow at waterline. It is a striking sight. The island was brought to
the world's attention after the James Bond adventure, The Man with the Golden
Gun, was partly filmed here and visitors have been drawn to the spectacular
seascapes ever since.
- Kao Khian - Translated the name means Isle of Writings. Indeed ,
there are ancient depictions of animals and boats which the Fine Art Department
has dated back no less than 3,000 years. Low on the mountain walls just above
the tideline of this shoreless island, they are believed to have been drawn by
voyagers long ago who took refuge there during stroms. The island lies on the
way to Koh Panyee.
- Koh Khai - This pair of islands called Koh Khai Nok and Koh Khai Nai can be reached from Koh Sirey in Phuket in about 35 min. The islands are known for their beautiful rocks, corals, and secluded beaches.
- Similan islands - Have now become a must on most divers' itinerary and their popularity is on the increase. The area offers divers of diverse levels with various choices from drift diving and night diving to exploring all the wonderful soft and hard coral rock formations.
- Surin islands - The islands' main attraction is obviously scuba diving, as it is for the Similan islands, renown for their great and still largely healthy soft and hard coral and a visibility usually reaching more than 25 meters. The Surin islands however offer several hiking trails for exploration and game fishing in addition to diving.
