After two days at sea, we arrive in Phuket, Thailand

If you saw an ad for a boat trip round these islands, wouldn’t you want to go? We certainly did, and that was before we realised this was Phang Nga Bay, the home of James Bond Island. And when we read that the James Bond Island was in danger of being eroded away and might collapse into the bay, we had to go. Diamonds are Forever, but James Bond island might not be!

It was a long tedious 2 1/4 hour drive there from Phuket, but eventually we arrived at the dock. We were going on a high powered speed boat that at first sight didn’t look that impressive

But once we got going it went like a bat out of hell!

We made our way to the bay along narrow channels surrounded by mangrove swamps

and past some amazing scenery

We passed by a little fishing village built on stilts over the water

and more beautiful scenery

We passed through a cave

and finally got into open water where the scenery became even more dramatic

The driver opened up the throttle and within a few minutes we were looking at the iconic James Bond Island

Apparently it was named the Roger Moore Island by the locals for years, but when he died, they changed it to the James Bond Island. And then the tourists started flocking here. And it is easy to see why. It’s also easy to see why we need to see it now, before it collapses.

As our driver swung the boat around we could see the complete setting

The island nestled between two other islands connected by a beach. As we continued around the rock to the right another beach came into sight. It looked idyllic

I yearned to get off the boat and have a swim. But when we rounded the other side of the island, I changed my mind. It was heaving with tourists

and boats

There was even a row of stalls selling the usual tourist junk. It definitely looked more appealing from a distance.

Our driver slowed so that we had time to enjoy the warm sunshine and the most amazing scenery.

It was so peaceful. The only noise to be heard was the lapping of the water around the boat and Fabulosity Meter going wild. Regardless of what James Bond says, you only live once, so make the most of it.

.