Since we had heard that the snorkeling was great around this area of Thailand we booked a speedboat tour for today. Over breakfast burritos we watched for the boat that was going to pick us up on the beach. On our boat was a couple from England and Italy and two girls from Germany.
During the 45 minute cruise to Koh Rok island, an uninhabited island near Koh Lanta, our guides prepped us on some of the things we might see while snorkeling. Throughout the day we were to snorkel in three different places and I think the first one was my favorite. We saw eels, clownfish, angelfish, anemones, starfish, sea cucumbers and countless types of fish. It was some of the most peaceful and impressive snorkeling I have ever done. What was neat was that since we were such a small group, our guides swam in front of us and beside us to point out things and show us some secluded spots.
The coolest thing I saw was many anemones that housed clownfish; you could see them swim in and out just like they do in Finding Nemo! I was really excited! The water was clear and warm and the time went by really quickly. Before I knew it, the guides were heading us back to the boat because it was time for lunch.
Lunch was a picnic on Koh Rok island which included chicken curry and fruit, but most people weren't looking at the food. Everyone was transfixed on the giant lizards that were roaming around begging for chicken like dogs. They were some of the biggest lizards I had ever seen with giant black tongues cut in a V that they flicked in and out of their mouths. If annoyed or threatened they would lash their huge tails out like a whip. There were some people camping on the island and I can only imagine what it would be like to wake up to giant lizards poking around your tent.
After snorkeling in two more places we were deposited once more at our bungalows on the beach and spent the afternoon napping in hammocks, reading and doing laundry. While washing clothes in the sink I was accompanied by a little frog clinging to the pipe the whole time. There's so much wildlife on these islands that you never know what you are going to run into inside or out.
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