Island. James Bond Island!

Khao Phing Kan, Phang Nga, Thailand

Above, the rock formation you see jutting out of the water really is called James Bond Island. Or it is now, anyways. In the 1970s, after "The Man with Golden Gun" filmed several memorable scenes here and all the tourists flocked here asking to see “James Bond Island,” I think the locals finally capitulated, because that’s what they call it now, too.

Before I was made aware of this, I was utterly confused, wondering why so many people in Thailand kept constantly referencing James Bond. “Is that the only film franchise we are shipping over here to them?” I wondered. Why does everyone and everything seem to remind them of James Bond? And constantly?!

I don’t speak a lick of Thai, so I would hear the locals speaking sentences that sounded like a rapid-fire machine gun of words, except occasionally, that machine gun would stop long enough for them to clearly enunciate the English words “James Bond.” To me, it was all anyone was talking about, since they were the only words I could manage to make out. My ears pricked up every time.

I’m not gonna lie, at first I thought my dashing good looks and debonaire attitude kept constantly reminding people of 007, and I would graciously accept the compliment in a manner I felt befitting of their favorite hero. (Yes, I am a tad delusional, and in my own mind I am somewhat of an INTERNATIONAL BADASS myself...)

Of course, it turned out to have nothing to do with me, that’s just the common name for this amazing rock formation. But what are you doing still looking at this old one? Don’t you know there’s A SEQUEL?!

And don’t forget to use the SUPER SECRET SPY BATHROOM at intermission!

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The same day as James Bond Island, I photographed this other little fat, squatty island, and I imagined we could pair the two up and make them do comedy together. Like a "Laurel and Hardy" or a "French and Saunders" type scenario... Or sorry, SETH, I can't think of a more recent reference. Do we even pair up fat and skinny people and make them perform comedy together anymore?