Searching
for wild Orchids on the stalactite - karst- islands of
the Phangnga -Phang
Nga bay in southern Thailand.
Our boat
moves slowly away from the Ban Rong pier. The six
cylinder diesel which once
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drove a truck howls and we
rush quickly along the mangrove forests
through the canal to reach
open water.
We are 3, Roy from siam kayak.com, a native of
Kentucky who turned into an flora specialist
after some years in Thailand, Roy’s son Siva and
me. The kayaks are stowed on top of the cabin.
Roy goes through the tides table again we have
to be back at the pier approximately by 3 pm
otherwise, we will get stranded in the channel. |
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From the
extreme hazy air the mighty bizarre-molded Stalactites
materialize, they somehow shape Phang Nga Bay. Somewhere
left in the fog lays “James Bond” island, one of the old
James Bond films was partially made here. Further in the
south, another island lies where they did the exteriors
shooting for the film ‘The Beach” with Leonardo Di
Caprio, some indications of the unique landscape, a
permanent playground for movie scouts. |
Wild orchid on a stalactite island Phang Nga Bay
Thailand |
Entry to a stalactite island Phang Nga Bay.
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We want to explore some of the islands
by kayak
and want to track down wild orchids, not to pick them
but to have a look. Since the exotic flowers “nest” in
the rock crannies usually far above or make it
comfortably on the mangrove plants as parasites, also
touching is not possible, however the colors and the
graceful forms are unique and worth the trip.
After a deafening ride over the flat waves - the
unmuffled diesel engine is fixed very loosely at
the stern of the boot - , |
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Thai like it the
more noise the better,..maybelai, maybelai, we swing
in a turn and come to a halt, easily splashing
in front of a mini atoll formed by a high rock
formation. We glide into the turquoise water and
wade through the small opening just over the
water surface into the rock formation. It is
like an adventure fairy-tale, the upward
open grotto opens oval of
approximately 50 x 30 m. Crabs doze in the sand,
shrimps run under the water surface, I
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withdraw the foot quickly
as one of them comes to near, rainbow colored fishes
move
 slowly, one could catch them with the hand to have
a nice lunch. Tom Hanks was obviously at the wrong
island at the wrong time in the stranded movie, or maybe
only the script writer was out of date. Above, a wild
horde of Fruit Bats screeches, huge, fat creatures, they
have no natural enemies. Roy’s son paddles the kayak
through the narrow opening above the water surface, a
paradise setting. We find some....orchid who virtually
glue on the Mangroves. Pretty small flowers, one
probably wonders how they came to this place, but we are
in Thai land, a standard phrase in Thailand is ..me luuu.
meaning I don’t know, me neither.
We had a short swim in the splendid water, its so
inviting once you are in you don’t want to get out,
better than any wirle pool. In the open grotto the water
surface reflects the sky with an emerald shade. Some
long tale macaques are having fun jumping up and down on
the mangroves they are not shy coming near to say hello,
actually probably expecting some food.
We move back to the motor boat and the boatmen bang the
2 seated kayak into the water. I take the front seat,
cover the cameras with the shirt from the sun and Roy
take the paddle, Siva is following us in the red kayak
to function as messenger to the mother boat if
necessary, we better be a little organized. Some diamond
club (photo right top) hanging down looking like cactus
but are from a other family and a good indication if you
can expect orchids if they are there the orchids are not
far.
Uncountable schools of mini fishes swim along the
cliffs, moving quite orchestrated. We pass many green
who found their niche of life on the stones, orchid
leaves are everywhere but naturally the blossoms are not
there all the time since the preferred blooming time is
February to May, they only bloom once per year. But
there is a elegant way to have them visible all the
time, visit the orchid nursery described later.
Consider the day trip as a prelude with a little
intermezzo in the restaurant at the evening to get some
fresh seafood into the stomach and to have a finale the
next day at the nursery, don’t forget the camera, the
best time at the “orchid farm” is around 5 pm since at
that time the sunrays have the right angle to illuminate
the precious flowers to bring the colors out.
Anyway we are in a very positive mood but we have to
move on since a hazy day means thunderstorm in the
afternoon.
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The
long tail boat gains speed and we pass pristine
beaches, some resorts; it’s a feast for the
eyes. When we enter one more karst atoll though
a narrow V a white bellow eagle materialized out
from thick green jungle foliage sailing
downwards from the top of the cliff. On the
steep sloop many orchid leaves bending
downwards, but as yet displayed no blooms.
Within minutes the sky darkens into |
a dark blue mélange and fat
drops of heavy rain bang down on us. We quickly get back
to the boat and get the blinds down to continuing
another time, it’s worth it, its a unique experience. |
