WE ARE skipping across the sea, speeding our way with a few hundred others to a remote tropical island off Phuket.
This is a trip on which we are required to suspend our cultural instincts, which bleat loudly that it's not possible to get away from it all in a crowd.
Yet it's all relative. For those Phuket holidaymakers who would usually be competing for space in Hong Kong, Seoul or London, a few hundred companions is, well, almost like being alone.
This is not the Underground or the MTR, and thank goodness. The Underground with everyone in life jackets would be a tight fit.
We definitely prefer the company of hundreds to thousands.
And there it is, being pointed at by the prows of a whole armada of speedboats, Kai island. It's a beach and a rock, and when global warming lifts sea levels, it will be just a rock.
For now, though, for many among those of us leaping from the speedboats, it's paradise. And before long, in the case of one little boy who cannot wait, its waters become paradise with a large pee.
Fore everybody else, it's sand, sea, a deckchair, a beach umbrella, and a loaf of bread to feed to the fishes.
There are hundreds of deckchairs around the island and we are allocated a patch not far back from the water's edge, where the fastest of the speedboat passengers are already splashing about.
On one side there's a small bay, surrounded by rocks, and on the other, about two minutes' walk, a flatter stretch where the speedboats disgorge their cargoes.
In the bay, some of the world's best-fed small fish are consuming the loaves of bread. Children paddle and play, adults paddle and pay.
We quickly learn the art of pretending to be alone. Our zone is limited, but large enough. The fish don't seem to mind.
A snorkeller invades our territory, following a scaly creature. ''So sorry,'' he says, and off he swims.
Other swimmers take a speedboat to snorkel off a smaller island. We settle for a siesta on a deckchair, which is surprisingly easy.
Lunch comes and we queue and take our turns at a wide buffet of food that turns out to be quite tasty.
Before you know it, the loaf of bread is gone and so are we, back to the departure point on Koh Sireh, not far from Phuket City.
The people who run these day trips say demand is high all year long. Kai island is just 15 minutes from Phuket, and we leave about 9am and are back by 2pm.
For many among the visitors, Kai island probably seems a vision of perfection as they share a commuter train with thousands and a dream crowded with hungry striped fish.
Trips to Kai island can be organised through Nonthasak Marine. Call +66 (0) 76 288498 or e: info@nonthasakmarine.com
The company says a lot of effort goes into keeping the beach extremely clean and removing rubbish from the island.
Cape Sienna, Phuketwan Resort of the Year 2009This is a trip on which we are required to suspend our cultural instincts, which bleat loudly that it's not possible to get away from it all in a crowd.
Yet it's all relative. For those Phuket holidaymakers who would usually be competing for space in Hong Kong, Seoul or London, a few hundred companions is, well, almost like being alone.
This is not the Underground or the MTR, and thank goodness. The Underground with everyone in life jackets would be a tight fit.
We definitely prefer the company of hundreds to thousands.
And there it is, being pointed at by the prows of a whole armada of speedboats, Kai island. It's a beach and a rock, and when global warming lifts sea levels, it will be just a rock.
For now, though, for many among those of us leaping from the speedboats, it's paradise. And before long, in the case of one little boy who cannot wait, its waters become paradise with a large pee.
Fore everybody else, it's sand, sea, a deckchair, a beach umbrella, and a loaf of bread to feed to the fishes.
There are hundreds of deckchairs around the island and we are allocated a patch not far back from the water's edge, where the fastest of the speedboat passengers are already splashing about.
On one side there's a small bay, surrounded by rocks, and on the other, about two minutes' walk, a flatter stretch where the speedboats disgorge their cargoes.
In the bay, some of the world's best-fed small fish are consuming the loaves of bread. Children paddle and play, adults paddle and pay.
We quickly learn the art of pretending to be alone. Our zone is limited, but large enough. The fish don't seem to mind.
A snorkeller invades our territory, following a scaly creature. ''So sorry,'' he says, and off he swims.
Other swimmers take a speedboat to snorkel off a smaller island. We settle for a siesta on a deckchair, which is surprisingly easy.
Lunch comes and we queue and take our turns at a wide buffet of food that turns out to be quite tasty.
Before you know it, the loaf of bread is gone and so are we, back to the departure point on Koh Sireh, not far from Phuket City.
The people who run these day trips say demand is high all year long. Kai island is just 15 minutes from Phuket, and we leave about 9am and are back by 2pm.
For many among the visitors, Kai island probably seems a vision of perfection as they share a commuter train with thousands and a dream crowded with hungry striped fish.
Trips to Kai island can be organised through Nonthasak Marine. Call +66 (0) 76 288498 or e: info@nonthasakmarine.com
The company says a lot of effort goes into keeping the beach extremely clean and removing rubbish from the island.
Headland Winner This Resort of the Year embraces compact hillside space and uses music and food to build a base for a strategy that others are bound to follow.
Cape Sienna, Phuketwan Resort of the Year 2009
Phuketwan Phuket Restaurant of the Year 2009
Photo Album Well we've cheated twice with this award, once by giving it to two restaurants, and the second time by telling readers of another site about it first. Sorry. But enjoy them both.
Phuketwan Phuket Restaurant of the Year 2009
Phuket Tuk-Tuks, Jet-Skis, Need Limits: Governor
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Phuket Tuk-Tuks, Jet-Skis, Need Limits: Governor
Phuket Governor Lashes Environment 'Guardians'
Latest The Phuket Governor says the island's environmental ''guardians'' are not doing their jobs and were more like security guards who allowed robbers enter.
Phuket Governor Lashes Environment 'Guardians'
Phuket Brewery Closes, But the Venue Rocks On
UPDATE: Bye Bye Brewery Bid goodbye to a bold adventure that gave Phuket its largest quality live stage venue . . . and say hello to the Whisky and Moonlight chain that will give it a fresh start.
Phuket Brewery Closes, But the Venue Rocks On
Phuket Drowning: 'Where's Max? Where's Max?'
New Year Tragedy A young boy who survived the tragedy that killed a friend at a Phuket beach asks: 'Where's Max? Where's Max?' The island should be asking, 'Where are the lifesavers?'
Phuket Drowning: 'Where's Max? Where's Max?'
Hi
Enjoyed reading about your trip to Kai Island, I have been to the island many times as well, the first time maybe five years ago, it was a pristine living coral environment with many species of fish, alas, on my last visit in 2008, the majority of beautiful living coral had died, in its place dead , bleached coral with fewer species of fish. It was very sad to see, especially for my friends who I had taken to the island to see for themselves. Sadly tourism and environmental pressures have taken their toll. Maybe the global warming you mention could be a good thing for Kai Island, it may one day revert to its former glory.
Micky M
Australia
Posted by Micky M on January 5, 2010 13:26