29 Jan 2020
To be clear the trip goes to a cluster of small islands close to Krabi called Ko Hong, which is different from a much bigger and more distant Ko Hong Island in the northeastern corner of Phang Nga Bay. After a smooth hotel pickup and a short ride to the pier hundreds of guests go through a seemingly chaotic but amazingly efficient process of being called to their respective boats and there are dozens of them leaving in different directions. Our boat was packed with about twenty five friendly companions. My wife and I were the only non-Chinese in the group. Fortunately between our two guides both Chinese and English languages were spoken to keep everybody happy. The tour stopped at several incredibly scenic lagoons and beaches and the last stop lasted almost two hours to allow for leisurely swimming, snorkeling and walking around. Lunch was served roughly at the same time for many similar groups on one of the beautiful beaches which meant that the lagoon and the beach were incredibly crowded. Overall tour was well run despite the atmosphere of a busy railway station at every stop but the scenery compensated for that. Our guides were friendly, smiling and accommodating. The tour was back at the pier at 3pm.