Tree surgery Thai style

The plan today was to read and swim and generally lounge around. However when the hotel owner asked us at breakfast if we'd like to come out on his boat with him and his daughter, how could we refuse?! I could have blipped the amazing jet boat, the beautiful scenery from the boat, the restaurant on stilts that we ate at and many many other wonderful things. But while we were waiting to head out, it was time for the palm trees to be trimmed. The hotel owners are concerned that any stray coconuts could fall and land on the guests so they regularly employ this very nimble guy to shin up the tree and hack down any young fruit and any old branches. The fruit then all goes up to the elephant sanctuary apparently. It was fascinating to watch and the guy seemed to enjoy his job and the attention it brought.