Entries about sunlight

During my Christmas and New Year break i took advantage of being able to finally move around the Island of Phuket and off it back to the mainland. After my first hurried exit in December upto Phang Nga, I promised myself that I would stop on this beach before my next visit to the mainland.

Shaded by beautiful trees I sat and picnicked whilst watching the beautiful scenery in front of me. I am so pleased i stopped the 2nd time passing and hope you enjoy the views too!.

Sai Kaew means 'glass sand'. Sai Kaew Beach is at the northernmost point of Phuket. It stretches from Mai Khao Beach around the northwestern corner of Phuket and all the way to Sarasin Bridge. There is no physical boundary between Mai Khao Beach and Sai Kaew. They are considered to meet around the area with the rustic restaurants where Thepkrasattri Road meets the west coast.

The 600-meter long Sarasin Bridge is the link from Phuket to the Thai mainland. From Sai Kaew Beach, you look across the narrow channel to a similar beach on the Thai mainland.

Sai Kaew Beach is a thin strip of sand that slopes smoothly into the inviting waters. Considering this channel is a boat passage, the water quality is remarkably good. You will see lots of small fish swimming in the clear water close to the sandy shoreline. The northern end of the beach within view of Sarasin Bridge has the benefit of being sheltered from the rainy season waves.

Behind the beach is the sleepy village, Thachatchai. The friendly locals like to fish from Sarasin Bridge and from the beach at the area below the bridge.

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Title and credits to: Floating Home by Brian Bolger

Its difficult to imagine a beach 6 kilometers long, but Bang Tao is just that! So here is Bang Tao II as the beach changes its beauty from one end to the other. Here is the North end of the Beach, much quieter, and fewer people. Somewhere to come and enjoy the sound of the Ocean!

Bangtao was one of the tin mines that made the fortune of Phuket long ago. They abandoned it later, and the land was considered worthless. Laguna Phuket managed to transform it into a very profitable award-winning Eco-project. In the first years, Laguna started as a luxurious complex, but it was a little isolated.

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title; Stellar Wind by the Unicorn Heads

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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.

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Friendly Dance by Nico Staf

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.