Just a recap of what I did during my 2 weeks holiday end of the year!

* 3 Day Kayaking Expedition to Andaman Islands, Phuket, Thailand
Simply the most amazing scenery I've seen yet... Hundreds of uninhabited, natural, limestone island. When the tide is low, you can paddle inside the naturally built sea caves to emerge in a pristine, untouched lagoon in the middle of the island. Amazing what nature is capable of. You just need to make sure that you're there with the right guides and not with a million other tourists. I personally recommend the John Gray's Sea-Canoe company! Higher up north, you can kayak your way across deep - narrow island straits (I feel like I'm in middle earth, going through those big water gates) and into mangrove forests. One of the best experience you'll find in Asia!!!

* Swiming on the jet black volcanic island of Anak Krakatau.
The Krakatau island, famous for being the largest ever recorded volcanic erruption in modern times (1883) blew itself apart to only 1/3rd of the original size. In 1927, it spawned a child, the Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau). Rising from the sea at a rate of 2-5m/year, the volcanic island Anak Krakatau is still active with fumes rising from the crater. Every few years, Anak Krakatau erupts, shaping a dramatic landsacpe of the island and even moving the crater from hill to hill.

On one side of the island, you see pristine BLACK beach with pine vegetation. The black volcanic sand is heavy enough to stay put, making the waters VERY clear indeed. If one follows the small trails, one will see the bald black hills and a glimpse of the tallest hill with a fuming crater. If you take a boat around the island, you will see a completely different view: The view of a dead land and an obvious dead lava spill trailing to the ocean.

Tip: Landing on the AnakKrakatau is actually prohibited due to the nature of its activity, yet some brave small companies do provide the trip for a fee. They are nice enough to warn you not to go beyond a certain point.

* Snorkeling a beautiful coral reef
Although perhaps it does not rival the Bunaken underwater sea garden or other world reknown diving spot in Sulawesi, a short snorkeling trip off some uninhabited island near Anak Krakatau was good enough for me! Tip when you go snorkling: Bring an underwater camera and food for the fishes (bananas are good and cheap!)

Sounds interesting eh?
I plan to have more of these adventures next year... Let me know if that's your thing too! :D

Fida