Entries about outside

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.

Another one of my "Abandoned buildings" collection. I actually visited this quite well known location when I visited the Phuravarna.. The Abandoned Retreat.

Originally this complex was the brainchild by Gary Ebsen, a long time Phuket resident and director of Eco–Cool Thai Homes, a company that has won several awards for building energy–efficient homes, set about creating affordable freehold condominiums in a modern resort atmosphere with stunning panoramic views of historic Chalong Bay and the offshore islands.

Using his experience and contacts he focused on the long over–looked but currently booming Chalong Circle area and located a choice 2.5 Rai (1 acre) plot of land within easy walking distance to the shops and restaurants of the Chalong Pier. This is where Chalong Bay Condominiums had to be!

Sadly the same story is so common here, the non transfer of ownership deeds, because of "problems with repaying bank loans" left many investors out of pocket and only getting a 60% refund on their money. The project was abandoned and recent reports from the Thai journals suggest that the land and property is going up for auction.

One can't help thinking... "Buyer beware!"