"We all live in a yellow submarine..."
Please note this story was written before the recent Tsunami

Puket Tours - No blue meanies to be seen, just simply enjoy a magical mystery tour of the underwater world off Phuket in Thailand's very own yellow submarine. (Yes it's true, we've got one) The Deepstar, submarine operates six dives daily from Rassada Pier to depths of 30 metres around Phuket for Baht 2,500……and if you see Nemo, tell him his dad's looking for him ok!

Aside from the must-do adventure above, scuba diving, snorkelling, sea canoeing, bungy jumping, elephant trekking, horse riding, sea fishing, yacht and sail boat charter are just some of the other daily trips available in and around Phuket that conveniently and promptly start and end at your hotel door (Timings are spot on).

Tour vendors are located throughout Patong both in hotels and along the main roads with all the latest prices, deals and info on hand for the would-be adventurer; however for the sake of a few Baht more make sure that you are 100% clear on the details of your proposed tour BEFORE you pay and book only through a REPUTABLE company to avoid any disappointments.

Probably the most well known island tours are the James Bond tour to Ko Phang Gna island (at anything between Baht 1,200-2,500 up depending on type of boat); usually a full day tour comprised of boat journey, lunch, canoeing, trekking, and visit to the location where the Bond film "The Man With The Golden Gun" was shot.

If that's too energetic for you, then for a mere Baht 700 like me you can opt for the other popular tour, snorkelling (or in my case floating) in Maya bay at the beautiful Ko Phi Phi islands (pictured above) which were used as a location in the film "The Beach".

You'll be picked up promptly at your hotel by mini van at 8am and taken to the pier to board ship (mine had two decks and held about 200 passengers with TV, restrooms and free tea & coffee). Make sure you've had a good breakfast as at 8:30am you'll embark on a 2hr journey to Ko Phi Phi (although snacks and drinks are available on board).For those who will wonder, crew member and tour guide "Lek" assured me that the crossing is usually quiet calm and that the ship NEVER goes out if weather conditions are uncertain.

Snorkel, mask & flippers and lifejacket are all included and can be simply signed for and returned later, so by the time we reached Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Lay and Khun Lek had finished her description of the Viking caves, I was geared up and in the emerald green water before the anchor hit the sea bed! (Yes, that odd looking mammal flapping about below left is me).

We among other diving and snorkelling enthusiasts were easily able to view beautiful coral and marine life in this popular dive spot for around an hour. Just before noon we we're out of our fins and back on the boat heading for Ko Phi Phi Don (the main island) where we were given a well rounded lunch. For the next 2hrs (until 2:30pm when the boat departed for Phuket) we were left to our own devices, so I went walkabout.

Ko Phi Phi, although predominantly a base for scuba enthusiasts (numerous dive schools offering the average 3-5 day PADI course for beginners at around Baht 12,000 and many dive tours for experienced divers) is a funky little community with a VERY chilled out island lifestyle not unlike the one found among our fellow brethren along Khao San Rd.

Accommodation is limited (about 20 or so resorts) and as such a little costly, but scuba instructor Mike says "Visitors don't worry! I've woken up on Phi Phi beach many times without a room!" The grin on Mike's face together with the great beach bars I found serving generous measures of laughing liquid confirmed that it was probably a regular occurrence for visitors to the island. Nevertheless, there are places to stay and after a few words of bar room advice from Phi Phi veterans and a bit of bargaining I managed to get a reasonable quote from Charlies Cabana's at Baht 800 (with fan) per night which is said to be good for the season.(February).

Like clockwork we left Ko Phi Phi at 2:30pm and 2hrs later arrived back in Phuket at 4:30pm. Impressively my minivan was there waiting (don't freak out that the driver may be different) to take me back to my hotel or should I say to the Irish bar near my hotel ready for the 5pm start to happy hour……...to be continued.

To end the trilogy, Phuket nightlife with its clubs, bars, cabaret, boxing and Elvis (yep he's there), including the not to be missed "FANTASEA" show all to come soon.

And remember…..

Keepitreal.