Finding tranquility in Cathedral-like Hong

The Hong at Koh Hong can only be entered by dinghy or small motor boat from the shallow lagoon outside at high to middle tide. Fortunately for us, the day we entered it the tide was up early in the morning before any of the tourist boats arrived.

We explored this peaceful, cathedral-like Hong with Rita and Dave from Beach House who were anchored near us in the picturesque anchorage between Koh Hong and Koh Nae Khae.

The towering cliffs of Koh Hong in the anchorage provided not only wonderful protection from the wind but also a stunning backdrop for us to feast our eyes on.

The ancient cliffs are intriguingly striated with intense orange, ochre and bronze stripes. If you painted a picture of them as they really are people would criticise it for being overdone and exaggerated.

It is impossible to catch it in a photograph but the intensity and vibrancy of the colours against the misty green of the water below and the stronger green of the trees above will always be locked in my memory.

As we entered the Hong that early morning in June we were struck by the tranquillity of this beautiful enclosed pool.

Huge cliffs loomed high all around us with only a small cave entrance at one end and another slightly larger gap in the other.

As we craned our necks up the large chimney of sheer sided cliffs the pale blue sky seemed a lifetime away.

It felt awe inspiring to be in this magnificent structure created by nature over thousands of years.

We exited the Hong via the small open water entrance and motored slowly round the island poking into the entrances to caves and marvelling at the rugged beauty of this imposing place.

Later that day we decided to visit the Rangers’ station on Koh Yai as we had heard that there was a hiking trail behind it.

The Rangers were very welcoming and were very happy for us to wander behind the station. Sadly there was no trail that we could find – just a rather muddy area surrounded by steep rocky hills.