From the icy, windswept summit way above the tree line, the broad blacktop curves down to the Ziller Valley, where my mother's family still owns a couple
of guest houses, a trout farm, and a
small farm close to the
bottom of the
hill.
Possible sites include: Bandit Ledge: The gentle
hills and ridges
of this site support a surprising amount
of beautiful cauliflower corals Garden Eel Cove: The slow drop - off ends in a sandy
bottom covered with graceful garden eels Anglers: A beautiful archway housing a big family
of lionfish High Rock: A massive ridge capped by a pinnacle rising to within 10 feet (approx. 3 meters)
of the water's surface Anchor Drag: A maze
of canyons, arches
small caverns provide enjoyable exploration
of the lobsters, crabs, shrimp and puffer fish who live here North Golden Arches: The main attraction is a rock arch with scattered coral heads throughout the area South Golden Arches: A large rock arch with a sandy area, housing numerous marine animals Harlequin: A great spot for a deep dive to see large schools
of fish Kaloko Arches: The main attractions here are the unique rock outcroppings and lava formations Turtle Pinnacle: One
of best sites to find green sea turtles Eel Cove: Interesting and rapid drop - off for deep diving Thunder Reef: Good spot for viewing deep - water animals West Kaiwi: This dive site is one
of the best for observing fish, with lots
of coral and a nearby drop - off Please note: This is not an introductory dive.
Budget Kamala guesthouses and restaurants If you take the first left turn at the
bottom of the
hill, coming from Patong, you will come to a
small bridge continue to the left and you will find two isolated
small beaches, no surf here, but a good place to relax and do a bit
of snorkelling and it overlooks all
of Kamala's surf spots.
That higher ground might look windy and exposed, making that cosy little nook at the
bottom of the
hill all the more appealing, but Simon has this cautionary tale: «I once saw a
small tent pitched in a sheltered dip in a field.