There is an island in Thailand, famous for being a real "star" of cinema, which has beaten all the ratings for popularity growth rate. This is James Bond Island. It is located in Phang Nga Bay.
Bond Island in Thailand is a small rock island with a very narrow base and a part that extends to the top. Officially, it is called Ko-Tapu, which means "nail."
Island Popularity History
Once upon a time, this island, located in the Gulf of the Andaman Sea, had a typical Thai name - Tapu. Previously, it was not very popular even with local residents. However, the situation changed in 1974, when a film crew came to these places, the hero of which was the legendary agent 007. This island appeared in the frame for only 15 seconds in the film entitled “The Man with the Golden Gun”. Against the backdrop of this area, the main characters (actors Christopher Lee and Roger Moore) made the main duel of the film. It was a pretty exciting moment.
Filming on the island was quite successful, and after the release of this picture Tapu became very popular among tourists, and later the people gave him the name in honor of this fearless agent - Bond Island.
Today this place is one of the most photographed in Thailand. The island in 1981 was included in the Ao Phang Nga. This is a national marine park. Excursions to the James Bond Island is one of the most fascinating travels for tourists.
Description of the area
In fact, this is not one, but two (Khao Ping Kan and Ko-Tapu) islands located at a distance of about 40 meters from each other. From Thai, the real name translates as "hills leaning against each other." They are located at a distance of 6 kilometers from mainland Thailand.
One of the islands is impossible to visit. This is a small Ko-Tapu with a narrow base. You can view it from the neighboring cliff, also called the island of the legendary agent. This can be done thanks to the small sandy isthmus located between them.
Most of Khao Ping Kang is covered with dense vegetation, there are also several caves on it, one of which can be seen in one of the frames of the James Bond picture. Natural formations are available only at low tide, you can swim to them only on specially equipped kayaks. There are two beaches here.
The small island of Bond (photo in the article), is completely covered with vegetation, has a base with a diameter of 4 meters, and to the top it expands to 8. The height reaches 20 meters. It is impossible to visit, although it is he who is considered the island of the famous agent. Local authorities are trying in every possible way to restrict movement around the island on motor boats and boats, as this miracle of nature has a rather fragile foundation. Today it is not known how long it can stand, and still no way has been found to strengthen its "foundation".
Koh Tapu is a symbol of Phang Nga, a national marine park that was established in 1981. It is carefully guarded and protected from destruction by tourist groups. The second island - Khao Ping Kang - is open to the public and daily receives several hundred travelers on its territory. On the big island of Bond, there is a beach area with amazing views.
Features of the island of Tapu
This, as noted above, is a small island of unusual shape. It consists of limestone and somewhat resembles a wedge that protrudes from the depths of the sea. The name in Thai translation sounds like “wedge”, “rod”, “nail”. To Russians, he may present himself as an inverted bottle from Soviet-era kefir. The island is quite inhabited. Among the unique plants, eagles nest.
All tourists are amazed at how the miracle island has not fallen to one side so far. Bond Island is protected by a national park. The close approach of the boat or motor boat to its base can lead to the subsidence of the latter, and Thailand may be left without one of the most unique attractions. In the meantime, the island gives tourists a real aesthetic pleasure.
Khao Ping Kang Island
On the second island of Bond (Khao Ping Kang), the same shootings of the final shots of the famous film took place. Entertainment for tourists - buying souvenirs and walking through the caves.
Here you can visit an interesting fair of local sea gypsies and purchase various things: magnets, shells, t-shirts, pebbles, pearls (sometimes not real). All this is not very expensive, and there is no special value in the items. You can buy sweets, ice cream, chocolate, juice and alcoholic drinks here. Bargaining is appropriate - sellers yield goods at a lower price.
How to get there
To visit Bond Island in Thailand and Phang Nga Bay, you need to travel from Phuket (the largest island in the country) by an organized tourist group. As a rule, from 10 to 20 people gather in it, and the trip starts at 8:00 in the morning.
In the case of an independent visit, which is also quite possible, the following should be done:
- Get to Phang Nga (National Park).
- Hire a boat to travel around the bay (locals offer them).
- Visit all the islands in the Phang Nga Bay (which are on the map).
The cost of renting a boat for two is about 600 baht for 3-4 hours. It is important to note here where you can eat during an independent trip. There is one wonderful restaurant located in one floating small village on the island of Pagni. Those hospitable gypsies who trade in trinkets for tourists, as well as in fishing live in it. Gourmet delicacies made from seafood can be sampled at this establishment. If you wish, you can spend the night in this village.
Reviews
James Bond Island, which is one of the most beautiful and unique places in Thailand, leaves all the tourists visiting it with the most good and unforgettable experiences. Especially everyone is fascinated by a guided canoe trip between the rocks, sometimes even more than a visit to the main object of the excursion program. Travel service (meals, walks in caves, swimming on the beach, etc.) is rated at the highest level.
One of the main activities of tourists during the tour is, of course, photographing. The pictures against the backdrop of the surrounding exotic nature are amazing.
Legend
Thais have one legend about the origin of this amazing island. It speaks of a fisherman who goes out to sea every day to catch fish for his family. Once he was unlucky - he did not catch a single individual, and he caught only an old nail. The fisherman threw the prey back into the sea. But he caught him the next time. In anger, the fisherman chopped this nail into two and threw it into the sea again. One of them stood upright.
So there was an unusual rock of Tapu - the legendary James Bond island.