Exploring Morakkot cove in Koh Lanta by Murli Menon

One is writing this from one's sea-facing villa at Pimalai Resort and Spa at Koh Lanta in
southern Thailand. The word Koh means island in Thai. Koh Lanta is a picturesque island
nestled in an inaccessible part of the Andaman Sea, cut off by giant hills on the north and the
wide expanse of the Trang Sea in the south. It takes approximately 120 minutes to reach
Pimalai Resort at Koh Lanta from Krabi Airport. The first 60 minutes is the drive from Krabi to
the private pier of Pimalai Resort. The other 60 minutes are for the speedboat ride to the
resort. This ultra-modern resort is situated on an island surrounded by virgin rainforest. The
Koh Lanta archipelago consists of 52 islands, of which only 12 are occupied. The speedboat
ride to Pimalai is itself an exploratory journey of several volcanic islands scattered across the
Andaman Sea. One can sight these giant rocks placed in the middle of the sea like sculptures in
an open art gallery. One can experience the magic of nature perfected after years of erosion of
the rocks by the salty sea-water. Every now and then one's boat passes close to one of these
many uninhabited islands, with numerous underground caves and tunnels. After a pleasant
boat ride, caressed by the sea breeze and cooled by the fine spray of sea water that wets your
face as the boat speeds through the choppy waters, in a pool of white water, one alights at
the private pier and is whisked away to the modern comforts of one's sea-side cottage,
surrounded by thick rainforests.

Pimalai offers several nature activities for their guests. This includes diving courses, snorkeling,
island hopping, sea canoeing, kayaking and jungle trekking. One decides to join the island
hopping group for a day trip to Pirate's Cove or Emerald Cove. Morakot Cove is the most
impressive point in the Trang Sea. On this island, mostly high and majestic limestone cliffs face
south towards the sea. The cliffs, homes for swallows, conceal the magnificent emerald cove.
One has to swim through the turquoise waters of the sea to enter this cove from an extremely
narrow entrance through the 80-meter tunnel enveloped by total darkness and complete
silence except the squeals of flying bats. After an endless swim, where minutes pass like hours,
one gradually emerges from darkness to an unbelievably picturesque scene; a brilliant lagoon
fringed by the powdery white sand and enclosed by a majestically towering cliff roofed by the
clear blue skies above, and surrounding mountains painted with lush and green leaves.

Most of the islands are tall cliffs where the crevices in the rock are good places for the
swallows to build their nests. Morakot Cove is tightly hidden is one corner of the island where
human beings can pass through only when the tide recedes. One has to wear life jackets and
gently float into this cove, through the 80 metre long tunnel, in pitch darkness. Passing
through the entrance, there appears the white sandy beach embraced by the steep cliffs as if
it were the grand ballroom whose ceiling is the widely open blue sky.
Morakot Cove at Koh Muk has an entrance which is narrow. There is danger and excitement
as one passes through the winding tunnel in pitch darkness. One must ensure to get out of the
cove before the tide comes in or one won't be able to get out until next day. As one reaches
the mouth of the cove, sunlight filters in through the entrance illuminating the emerald blue
waters and bringing to light the effect of millions of years of erosion of the craggy rocks by the
salty air and the corrosive waters of the ocean.

The edges of the rocks are jagged and razor sharp. One must carefully swim at the centre of
the tunnel consciously avoiding being swept to the walls. And one finds oneself depending on
intuition, as the stillness of the dark is broken by the waves gently slapping the walls of the
limestone cliff. The shapes, geometry and size of the sculpted rocks are unbelievable. Mother
Nature has been carving these stones over the millennia, one day at a time. The power of the
sea becomes apparent as this solid rock of limestone is now a hollow, worn away over
centuries, by the combined effect of the humidity and the salty water. Stepping onto the
white sandy beach, amidst crystal clear waters, one gazes at a wondrous sight before oneself.
The gleaming water reflecting the golden sunlight and reveal shoals of tiny fishes swimming as
one seamless whole. The history of Morakot cove is no less interesting. This cove was a
favourite place for sea pirates to stash away their booty after plundering passing ships.

The edges of the rocks are jagged and razor sharp. One must carefully swim at the centre of
the tunnel consciously avoiding being swept to the walls. And one finds oneself depending on
intuition, as the stillness of the dark is broken by the waves gently slapping the walls of the
limestone cliff. The shapes, geometry and size of the sculpted rocks are unbelievable. Mother
Nature has been carving these stones over the millennia, one day at a time. The power of the
sea becomes apparent as this solid rock of limestone is now a hollow, worn away over
centuries, by the combined effect of the humidity and the salty water. Pirates used to keep
their spoils at this cove till they could transfer the loot to a more permanent destination. That
is the reason, why Morakot Cove is also known as Pirate's cove. In Thai, Morakat Cave is
simply called Tam Nam. After an hour of meditation inside this hidden paradise, one
reluctantly prepares to swim through the tunnel back to one's speedboat which waits
expectantly at the other end. One returns to the safety of one's boat, waiting to be ferried to
Koh Noi, or coral island for snorkeling. One is off to Angkor Wat next week. Please await my
email about visit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Before reaching Angkor one is planning a stay at
Khao Sak Tree house inside the Khao Sok National Park in Southern Thailand. I am looking
forward to a green stay and more pictures for tips4ceos.com readers.

How to get there?:

Krabi is directly connected to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Phuket by direct flights. Bangkok is
connected by direct flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore. The
other options to get to Krabi are to either take a bus, train or flight from Bangkok to Suratthani
and take the bus to Krabi. While the flight from Bangkok to Suratthani takes 60 minutes, the
transfer from Surratthani airport to Krabi takes another two hours. The Bangkok to Suratthani
return airfare by Air Asia (low cost airline), booked 10 days in advance, costs 3000 Baht. (100
Baht=Rs. 120 approximately).
How to get to Koh Lanta?:

To get to Koh Lanta on one's own, one has to hire longtail boats from Krabi at the rate of 800
Baht for a return trip. Basic accommodation is available with the local villagers at 300 Baht per
night. The longtail boat prices are negotiable and can be higher or lower depending on one's
bargaining skills.

Where to eat?:

Many small restaurants serving Thai cuisine are found in Koh Lanta. Lightly sauteed Shitake
mushrooms in palm oil, served with steamed jasmine rice is a local dish which is delicious. This
dish as delicious to eat as it is pleasing to the eyes. The food at the high profile hotels is only
for the gastronomically adventurous who like greasy food. Fresh tropical fruits including
durians, mangosteens, pineapples, tender coconuts and jack-fruits are available at the local
market. Grand hotel's buffet breakfast has a selection of fresh fruits, raisins, water-melon
juice, orange juice, fresh vegetable salad for vegans who don't consume any product of animal
origin or products which contain minute traces of any product of animal origin.

Enroute to Koh Lanta in a tuk tuk

Picturesque view of Koh Lanta

Enroute from Krabi to Koh Lanta by boat

At Morakkot cove in Koh Lanta