On a short trip to Patong recently, driving along the coast road, down from the Patong hills. I saw these amazing seascape clouds. Stunning looking like oil paintings in the sky. Breathtaking but as the weather changed dark and almost frightening!
Karon Beach in Phuket is one of the longest beaches on the island, spanning 5 km of fine white sand overlooking the Andaman Sea. The northern end of the beach is usually deserted, making it an excellent spot for those who want the beach to themselves. The southern end, close to Kata, tends to be busier but it isn’t that hard to find a nice spot for yourself.
There are very few waves during the high season (November–April), resulting in crystal-clear waters. However, Karon Beach experiences dangerous swells and riptides in the southwest monsoon season (May–October). While there are lifeguards on the beach, it’s best to take note of warning flags and be very careful.
Sea turtles often lay their eggs in the sand at night. If you see any turtles or their tracks, inform your hotel so that they’ll contact the Phuket Marine Biological Centre. The organisation’s Sea Turtle Conversation Project aims to help the population grow by rescuing injured turtles and incubating eggs in a safe environment. Sadly I didn’t get to see any that day, but they are reported to be there.
Music; Free under creative commons licence from YouTube music library Song; Pure Potentiality by Benjamin Martins
Blue Elephant Phuket From my recent visit two days ago. Every month we try and go and support our local businesses and community. This month was the turn of the Blue Elephant! Amazing building, and lovely food.
Blue Elephant Phuket is not a casual Thai restaurant, but contrary to what most people think, it is not outrageously expensive (We didn’t say cheap though). Blue Elephant Phuket is perfect for a special occasion, a dining experience to share and remember. We wrote about this fantastic old mansion that used to be a governor’s house, abandoned for a long time in Phuket Town.
Seen from the street, it always had the majesty of a place with a long and mysterious history. They returned the mansion to its original grandeur, and you can now drive up the immense garden alley, leave your car under the trees and proudly climb the stairs like a celebrity to enter the famous Blue Elephant.
Dining in a hundred years old governor’s house adds a new dimension to the experience. The Blue Elephant is a long-established cooking school from Bangkok and a great place to invite your guests or for a romantic occasion. Take the time to walk around the park with your glass in hand and appreciate the majesty of the Sino-Portuguese architecture, shaded by immense trees that witnessed moments of Phuket fascinating history.
As you explore, it becomes easy to imagine how the held parties and ceremonies within these walls. Then climb the stairs to the second floor and walk through the several large rooms with their dark wooden floors and the many windows so typical of this era.
Then, it’s dinner time, and you will walk through the ‘Blue Elephant Gallery’ to the air-conditioned indoor or outdoor dining area. Service is as impeccable as you expect it to be, the restaurant and tables setting are beautiful.
Earlier this year I stopped at an unfinished building that I had kept passing from time to time. It was easily accessible from the road and had been in its current state for at least the two years I have lived in Phuket. Always interested in Architecture of all sorts I stopped to photograph this “unfinished project”. Which for all the info I could find was supposed to be finished in three years! Sadly it seems that the funds/donations ran out and it is left for the future, when some benefactor may leave some large sum of money so it may be finished.
Also named as Kew Ong Tai De Am Rawai, I couldn’t find anymore than the translation below about this place. What appeared to be a great vegetarian, community effort that ran out of funds. None the less an interesting visit and view of what might have been and what still might be one day!
Co-construct the Kew Ong Tai Tam Temple Center of Dharma Practice And eat vegetables throughout the year. By Thewasan Kew Ong Tai Tam (Rawai) located at 60 Moo 6, Rawai Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District It is a land belonging to the “Sukkaew” family, formerly owned by Father Lamead Sukkaew and Mother Lamead Sukkaew. And both of you Had a wish for this land to be the construction of the Kew Ong Tai Te Temple When he died, the said land became ownership of the heir. And the heirs who hold all rights have inherited the spirit of the parents And jointly hand over the said land of approximately 2 rai, almost 3 rai to the Kew Ong Tai Tam Temple (Rawai). And has been carrying out the ceremony to eat vegetables throughout the year 2006 until His Majesty Kew Ong Taitae He has assigned the Lord Oun Kong to climb Tae. As Lord Aam manages to build a temple And has appointed an official construction committee With the ceremony of laying the main pole on May 5, 2012 already Therefore immediately proceeded the construction Expected to be completed within 3 years, ie in the year 2558
By Thewasan Kew Ong Tai Tam (Rawai) located at 60 Moo 6, Rawai Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District It is a land belonging to the “Sukkaew” family, formerly owned by Father Lamead Sukkaew and Mother Lamead Sukkaew. And both of you Had a wish for this land to be the construction of the Kew Ong Tai Te Temple When he died, the said land became ownership of the heir. And the heirs who hold all rights have inherited the spirit of the parents And jointly hand over the said land of approximately 2 rai, almost 3 rai to the Kew Ong Tai Tam Temple (Rawai). And has been carrying out the ceremony to eat vegetables throughout the year 2006 until His Majesty Kew Ong Taitae He has assigned the Lord Oun Kong to climb Tae. As Lord Aam manages to build a temple And has appointed an official construction committee With the ceremony of laying the main pole on May 5, 2012 already Therefore immediately proceeded the construction Expected to be completed within 3 years, ie in the year 2558, however, at the Shrine of Kyushu Ong Ah, the titration (Rawai) There is a story about the history. “Maha Pho Footprint” by Mother Lamed Which is a villager with good hearts Has a wonderful wisdom, touches according to beliefs To bring down the Bodhi tree growing on the Phrao Duan tree and plant it Mae Lamead brought the Bodhi tree to walk around, ready to plant many times until she found this point. Which is the point where Ong Ong Tai Tao has his footprint Therefore bowed to worship around the Buddha’s foot as a preliminary And is the origin of “Maha Pho Footprint” said.
While Mr. Arun Soros, Mayor of Rawai Sub-District, said that for the festival of the Yom Kippur Festival of Phuket residents Of the local government organization Has supported the tradition for a long time Both on facilitating the participants to eat vegetables To get comfortable Including supporting various factors To be used during the festival as well
As for the construction of the Kew Ong Taiteam Temple (Rawai), the municipality invites the people of faith to donate money. Although the construction has progressed a lot. But people can still donate money When this temple is completed, it will be a beautiful place that will promote tourism in the Rawai area as well.
So during Chinese New Year we managed a short four day break to Kho Phi Phi, one of the few Islands still running boat services. This is one of the two main beaches we visited during our stay.
The arrival point and central area of Koh Phi Phi, Tonsai Bay is a crowded busy area overlooked by Tonsai Village.
Tonsai Bay is the main arrival and departure hub for Koh Phi Phi as it is deep water. The bay is stretched out along a 2km long cliff which, as it heads to the east, is punctuated with promontories and smaller beaches.
Tonsai Bay is unsurprisingly flanked by the beaches of Tonsai East and Tonsai West. While it initially appears a scenic spot on arriving at Koh Phi Phi, the water at Tonsai Bay tends to have a fair bit of boat traffic continually coming in and out of the bay. As this is where the main Pier is for drop of and embarking on other Island Journeys.
Music free under creative commons licence from You tube music library Music: The Future Ancient Now by Nathan Moore
In February this year (2021) I was able to take a short break to the beautiful island of Koh Phi Phi, not that I would say that hoards of tourists packed over every inch of sand is beautiful, BUT there are no tourists at this present time, except for local Thais from the mainland and those of us who are expats here from working or in my case retirement.
So back to the beautiful Phi Phi, one of the few Islands still running ferries. This video is from the day I took one of my obligatory, walkabouts, and I was struck by two things, the intense colour and beauty of the sea around this area, and the sadness of so many boats tied up and not working. The streets empty and most businesses closed and shuttered up. There were a few places open and serving food and taking guests, but at this present time it is a shadow of it’s former self. Still a Jewel of an Island and even more stunning with less crowds.
One thing we did love seeing were all the cats, no dogs are allowed on the Island, but there were many cats, and friendly ones. The locals feed them as do the few tourists that come to visit, bags of kitty cookies are available in most stores.
Tonsai Bay is the bustling heart of Phi Phi. The bay hosts Phi Phi Island’s main village, and it is the main arrival port in Phi Phi. Here, there are no cars or roads, only footpaths. The village is located on an isthmus, for which Phi Phi is famous, with Tonsai Bay on the south side and Loh Dalum (Dalum Bay) on the north.
Before 14:30, when the last ferry leaves, the streets are busier with day-trippers and people arriving/departing. After that, the island is more relaxed and the difference is tangible. In the evening the streets fill again with diners looking for a place to eat. Additionally, as most business is done at night, the tour shops, dive shops and every other kinds of shop come to life. Later on, some isolated nightlife areas heat up; especially on the east side of the village and of the bay.
Phi Phi is a very bohemian type of place; after all, bicycles and long-tail boats are the only alternatives to walking.
Music credit to :The Future Ancient Now by Nathan Moore Free under creative commons licence from You Tube music library
My recent trip on a Catamaran included stopping off at some beautiful Islands close to Phuket.
My favourite one was Koh Racha, where the water is crystal clear and the sand is white and so so soft.
As there is no jetty as such you are picked up by a long tail boat and ferried to a floating pontoon, an aerobics session in itself getting to the beach as it bobs up and down in the water!
The water was so calm and clear I was even confident enough to take my dslr into the water with me to get some different perspectives of the boats and bay.
If you watch the video you might even see me!
The Racha Islands (or Raya Islands) are best known as among the best diving and snorkelling destinations in Thailand. Located some 12 km south of Phuket, Racha Noi is uninhabited, but there’s some great diving in the area. Racha Yai has several bungalows and resorts if you want to stay on the island for a day or more.
Racha Yai reveals itself in splendid fashion, with most arrivals landing onto a strip of fine white sand tucked deep into the long, U-shaped main bay, called Ao Tawan Tok or Ao Bungalow. The waters are clear and excellent for snorkelling, though the bay gets quite busy with visiting boats in the afternoons. Racha Yai is home to The Racha, a splendid getaway resort. The other large bay, Ao Siam, is a pretty place that’s great for peaceful strolls.
Coral Island is the most popular of the group of small islands just south of Phuket. As its name suggests, it is well known for its shallow coral reefs and excellent snorkeling.
During my recent Catamaran experience, along with visiting Racha Island, the afternoon was spent getting to and relaxing on Koh Hey. It was a welcome respite to sit under the shade of the trees and take a cool drink. With some energy to explore the crystal clear water of Long Beach. Where amongst other things I spotted a great hornbill flitting from tree to tree that lined the beach.
The island’s Thai name is Koh Hay (sometimes written Koh He, Koh Hae, or other variations). This does not actually translate to Coral Island. It means crowded island and the name is not totally inaccurate. The island does receive plenty of day-trip visitors throughout the high season.
However, it is not always crowded and there are quieter spots.
Coral Island is a 2.5km long, jungle covered, granite island. There are two nice beaches on the north side of the island facing Phuket and there is also a small but pleasant little beach on the south side of the island. There is nothing inland where the vegetation is too dense and the gradients are too steep to be suited for development or agriculture.
Long Beach
This 800-meter beach is the most popular on the island. It is where the majority of day-trip boats arrive. There are plenty of deckchairs for rent on the beach. There is beach volleyball and through the high-season, there are often jet-skis and parasails. There are several restaurants and bars. The only overnight accommodation on the island is nestled into the palm trees at the east end of this beach. The Coral Island Resort has nice little bungalows close to the beach and its own swimming pool.
The snorkeling at this beach is not actually the best around the island. Most of the coral close to shore has been damaged by the constant activity. However, if you are happy to swim out around 100-meters then you will still see plenty of coral and colourful fish. As you will see from my pictures.
Music free under creative commons licence from You tube music library
Friendly Dance by Nico Staf
Promthep Cape is the most South point of Phuket. The point is one of the most popular areas of Phuket and for this matter has an iconic status. Due to its location and southern facing views, it offers a picturesque view of the Andaman Sea.
Promthep Cape is also known as the ‘God’s Cape’ and ‘Laem Promthep’.
It is a rocky piece of land that sticks out into the Andaman sea. It has tall cliffs that shape the point of the most southern part of Phuket Island.
Tourist flock here year in and year out to capture some of the finest pictures of sunsets seen in Phuket. Not only do happy snappers come to Promthep Cape for the views, but you will find artists and nature lovers. All of them head to this spot just to soak in the presence of being at the end point of Phuket – the Pearl of the Andaman Sea. Many people believe that Promthep Cape is the best spot in the whole of Thailand for spectacular sunsets.
When the stars are out on a clear evening, Promthep Cape can be the perfect spot to star gaze and catch shooting stars.
During the monsoon season, the Cape and surround sea can be very rough. It is great to head out to watch the large waves crashing into the side cliff walls of the Cape. The ocean can be very powerful here. The waves will give you an idea of how the Cape itself came to its shape after so many years.
Promthep Shrine and Lighthouse
From the car park, you will walk up a set of stairs to the actual viewpoint. Here you will find the main attraction, the Buddhist shrine and a lighthouse. The shrine, which is the Buddhists Altar, is surrounded by brass elephant statues and carvings which give the area a somewhat traditional atmosphere. Occasionally groups of monks can be spotted around the area although this isn’t too often.
There is a small concrete wall that separates the pathway to the actual dirt path leading down to the Cape itself. If you are daring enough to venture to the end of the Cape, it is a rocky, somewhat slippy downhill walk and can be quite dangerous in certain weather conditions so just concentrate on your footing. It is not a very hard walk, only a few hundred metres to the very edge of the Cape. The walk is simply a declined dirt path, that can get slippery in the wet. Caution is always advised, especially on the cliff edges. At the lower part of the Cape, you can look back on the Island, or turn around and have the mass ocean beneath your feet. The walk back from the Cape to the concrete footpath can be fairly exhausting due to the nature of how the dirt path inclines and gradients. It’s downhill on the way to the end, and uphill on the way back. Guess it depends on your fitness level, but it is not too demanding for an average person, just not me!
Thankfully not everything was closed or locked down over December 2020, here in Phuket. I was able to get around and spend some time visiting some of the places I had promised myself to go. Here The Tha Rua Shrine, which cannot be missed as any traveller arriving or departing Phuket will pass it on the way out or to Phuket Airport.Along side a busy road, this Temple has caught my eye so many times, i was so glad i stopped to give it a look. I was not disappointed!
One of Phuket’s largest and most elaborate Chinese temples, the Tha Rua Shrine is also one of the most colourful, adorned with numerous brightly painted statues of dragons and deities.
The Tha Rua shrine is one of the oldest Taoist foundations on Phuket, although the site has been greatly expanded and the present building dates from 2002.
Located in the Thalang district, north of Phuket Town, the Tha Rua Shrine is an easy excursion for those visiting the island. It’s certainly an unmissable and arresting sight, with its bright gold, red and green colour scheme and its outsized statues of mythical creatures and Taoist divinities.
Visitors are greeted at the entrance by a pair of multicoloured Chinese dragons, while inside devotees burn incense and offer prayers in front of statues of Quan Yin, the goddess of mercy, and altars covered in statuettes of various gods.
The Tha Rua Shrine is a popular and busy temple and visitors are welcome to explore the complex throughout the day. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit in the early morning.
It’s a great place to take photographs, too. Statues, traditional Chinese paintings and carvings fill the interior and cover the façade, while outside stands a giant statue of Guan Yu, a revered Chinese general from the second century AD who was deified after his death.
I’ve never been to Patong beach in the whole two years i have lived here. Expecting the worst of heaving numbers of people during what is now high season. Imagine it like this, today, peak season, with only a few people here……
Patong Beach, or Hat Patong as it is called in Thai, is the main beach in Patong and is a wide 2,85 km long stretch of white soft sand. Patong’s 3-km strip of golden sand is one of the most popular beaches in Phuket. The Beach has a row of coconut, palm and tropical almond trees separating the shore from the main road.
The northern part of Patong Beach hides a small sandy creek where the water is very shallow and clear during high season. The southern part is the mouth of a river, where several fishing boats anchor. The bridge over the river leads to a small fishing village and the various bays and beaches around the headland that separates Patong from Karon.
The best time to visit Patong Beach in Phuket is between November and April when the sea is very flat and calm. From May to October, the beach experiences large waves and dangerous swells.
There are two small beaches in this bay south of Cape Panwa on the east coast of Phuket, separated by rocky headlands. It is about 10 kms from town and easily accessible by car and motorcycle. The road from Ban Bo Rare which takes you to Ao Yon is attractive and full of shady trees.
The bay is tranquil, the sea is very blue, and the sunset here is also magnificent. Tourists like to relax by sitting under the coconut palms watching waves twinkling in the sunlight.
Travelling to Ao Yon Bay There are two routes to this beach. From town, follow the road to Panwa Beach. There is a small soi to take you to Ao Yon pass Bor Rae Village. This road offers a nice scenery of beaches and a view point. The other route to Ao Yon is from Panwa Beach and Makam Bay. Follow the Ao Yon Khao Khad Road to the beach. This route is shorter than the other one.
Paradise beach bar and restaurant is located Rawai Phuket Thailand.
It is not that which is the focus of this video though, more a point where I started a beautiful walk along what at first appeared to be a very small part of rawai Beach, but as the tide went out during the morning gave me access to other more secluded parts of the beach, which curves round towards the cape of Panwa.
Sometimes time is better spent waiting for better moments to present themselves to you.
Journeys From A Small Room 