Phuket Thailand
A Photographic Journey
"Phuket, a rainforested, mountainous island in the Andaman Sea, has some of Thailand’s most popular beaches, mainly situated along the clear waters of the western shore. The island is home to many high-end seaside resorts, spas and restaurants. Phuket City, the capital, has old shophouses and busy markets. Patong, the main resort town, has many nightclubs, bars and discos".
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
Phuket does offer more than just beaches & off island exploring although this is one of the main reasons most tourists flock here. Driving in Phuket was absolutely fine although we did need 10 pairs of eyes due to the any scooters around and the fact that they come at one on the wrong side of the road! Official U-Turns are common in Thailand and certainly make it easier to get back into the correct side of the road.
Old Town Phuket makes for a great, slow wander with loads of photo
opportunities. Gracious old buildings, colourful shutters, interesting
shops, architecture of yesteryear, a local market, a vendor selling from his truck, notices such as "
No Idling Zone - Please turn off your engine - Fine 2000 Baht" and "A
Credit Card was founded, who is the owner, please contact..."
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
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| Old Town Phuket Thailand |
Time to hit the coast so off we headed. Our first stop was Hat Rawai beach with its many boats offering rides to nearby islands, such as Racha Island, Coral Island, Khai Island, Buddha Island, Bon Island and, believe it or not, Potato Island! Massage parlours line the street together with the many beachside "restaurants" selling mainly seafood. Its a scenic bay and well worth a stop.
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
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| Hat Rawai Phuket Thailand |
The Southern most point of the island was a tad disappointing to us
having seen so many beautiful southern points worldwide. But still worth
a visit as one can then drive around to the next beaches. Ya Nui was a
tiny beach with warnings of an undertow - there was a life guard on
duty. Nai Han offered a gorgeous swim and was calm. Our drive back via
Hat Kata and Hat Patong was crazily busy with some very irresponsible
scooter drivers.
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| Southern Point Phuket Thailand |
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| Southern Point Phuket Thailand |
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| Southern Point Phuket Thailand |
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| Southern Point Phuket Thailand |
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| Ya Nui Beach Thailand |
Ya Nui Beach
"What Ya Nui beach lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty. Just south of Nai Harn, it may only be 200m, but size isn’t everything. Rather than views of resorts, it features the view of nearby Koh Keyao Noi island, and has dramatic rocky outcrops set alongside the cerulean sea that look ready-made for photographs. In terms of activities, body-boarding is popular here, as is snorkeling, with some of the best snorkeling to be found out by Koh Keyao Noi, which is only a short kayak away."
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| Ya Nui Beach Thailand |
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| Nai Han Phuket Thailand |
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| Nai Han Phuket Thailand |
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| Nai Han Phuket Thailand |
An interesting excursion was to the bridge Sarasin connecting Phuket to the Mainland. There is a walking bridge next to the main road bridge. A fishing village sits on the other side of the bridge - very authentic and not used to tourists! The bridge replaced the ferry so its much easier to reach Phuket from the mainland these days!
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| Sarasin Bridge Phuket Thailand |
"Sarasin is the first bridge built that linked Phuket Island to the
mainland of Phang Nga Province. Named after a Thai Chinese politician
(the Sarasin family has been a wealthy clan involved in Thailand
business and politics since the 19th century) this 700m bridge was built
in 1967 to replace the ferry which was then the only connection to the
mainland.
Tourism development and the increase of road traffic (over 10,000 new
cars were bought in Phuket in 2012!) forced authorities to build a new
and larger bridge right next to Sarasin Bridge. Thepkasattri Bridge
(named after the airport road) was completed in 2011. Sarasin Bridge was
then transformed into a touristic attraction; a pedestrian bridge where
to enjoy sunset and sea breeze"
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| Satasin Bridge Phuket Thailand |
"The idea of keeping an old bridge as a touristic attraction may sound
strange but it is quite a popular destination in the evening for many
local people. The bridge has been transformed into an interesting
strolling destination; two towers linked by a platform have been built
in its centre part to create a viewpoint onto the Andaman Sea to the
west and fishing villages and Phang Nga Bay to the east. The floor is
covered with tiles and many ornate and the attractive lamps lining the
walkway make it beautiful at dusk.
After 18:00, anglers install their equipment (mostly a stool, a fishing
rod and a powerful torch light) to catch fish and squid from the busy
waters under the bridge. On the Phuket side, many vendors setup their
stands to sell various Thai snacks and drink"
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| Fishermen with their nets Phuket Thailand |
We enjoyed (maybe!!) a very long walk in the heat and humidity along the beach in Sirinat National Park. The beach of Hat Nai Yang is pristine at the start (swimming is not recommended during Monsoon season) but the litter further along towards Phuket International Airport was rather disturbing. The beach goes on forever so is ideal for long walks. Watching the many planes taking off and flying low over our heads was quite an experience and a must do for all aircraft junkies!
"Sirinat National Park is on the northwestern coast of Phuket Island, in Thailand. Its pine-fringed beaches include Nai Thon, at the southern end, and Nai Yang, near Phuket International Airport. Mai Khao Beach is home to nesting turtles, including leatherbacks and hawksbills. Tropical coral reefs cluster in the waters offshore. In the north, past Sai Kaew Beach, mangrove forests shelter birds such as kingfishers."
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| Planes flying over the beach from Phuket International Airport |
A great rainy day option, especially during Monsoon season, is the Shell Museum. This museum is truly a must visit as their displays are incredibly informative and evoked memories of my walks with my granny so many years ago in Mossel Bay, South Africa. I used to collect bucket loads of shells - these days, finds are pretty rare.
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| Phuket Shell Museum |
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| Phuket Shell Museum |
"Among its impressive collection are noble volute (a heavy seashell with varied patterns), tiger cowries and stout-spine murex. In addition there are also some rarities and odd shells including the world's largest golden pearl (140 karats), large sections of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils that represent the earth's earliest life-forms, and a shell weighing in at 250 kilograms!"
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| Phuket Shell Museum |
"The Seashell Museum in Rawai contains and displays valuable seashells from all over the world. Many are among the most sought-after by collectors and are from Phuket and Thai waters. It's a perfect attraction to keep kids and adults entertained on a rainy day. The museum is very well put together and is located in the basement of the large building. It has four main exhibitions, all with information in both English and Thai."
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| Karon Viewpoint |
Phuket is known for its beaches - we visited most of them during our 2 weeks on the island.
We loved swimming at Hat Kata Noi and Hat Kata. Patong Beach is huge, much busier and has sections cordoned off for swimming. The views from above at the Karon Viewpoint are one of the most photographed in Phuket! Getting a parking spot is a miracle but it can be achieved with a little patience.
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| Chatting with "The Birds" at Karon View Point |
Kata Beach
"At around 1.5km long, Kata Beach is big enough never to feel overly crowded and ensures you’ll always have ample space for a towel on the beach. Palm tree-lined with soft, white sand and plenty of places to eat and drink nearby, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with tourists and locals. As well as activities such as surfing available, there are plenty of shops nearby to engage in retail therapy, plus resorts if planning on staying a while. With lots of space and so much going on, it’s ideal for families or those who want a break from the more raucous beaches in the area"
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| Beach Scene Phuket |
Kata Noi Beach
"While it may only be 700m long, Kata Noi packs a whole world of charm onto such a small strip of beach. Located to the south of the larger, more popular Kata Beach, it’s much quieter than its neighbour and, whilst still fairly developed, has more of that private, island feel. With a couple of fancy resorts and restaurants nearby, it’s perfect for day trips to the beach, and the sea here is ideal for activities such as
snorkeling and surfing. Not up for activities? Not to worry — Kata Noi’s serene surrounding make it quite the place to simply relax and watch the world go by."
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| Ya Nui Beach Phuket |
Nai Harn Beach
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| Nai Han Beach Phuket |
"Located to the south of Phuket, Nai Harn a small bay with powdery-soft sand and sea that changes from calm in the high season to strong currents in low season, making it a popular spot for Phuket’s surfing and kiteboarding crowd. With much of the land owned by the Samnak Song Monastery, it’s avoided overdevelopment thus far, which makes a change from some of the more popular beaches on the island. Just behind the beach is a lake, where people come to fish and take a ride in swan-shaped pedalos, which makes for a pleasant change of scenery"
Surin Beach
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| Surin Beach Phuket |
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| Surin Beach Phuket |
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| Surfers love Surin Beach Phuket |
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| Surfing at Surin Beach Phuket |
A beach that was once visited by the late King Rama IX in the 50s, it’s since become a playground for the rich and wealthy, with a number of high-class resorts and hotels nearby as well as a golf course. It’s not hard to see why it’s so popular; soft, white sand gives way to a scenic row of palm trees, while the sea itself has both light and deeper blue tones. A word of caution — the sea here gets deeper than in other bays, so be careful if you’re planning on swimming. Other than that, it’s an extremely pleasant beach with a number of good restaurants and bars just a short walk away.
Kamala Beach
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| Kamala Beach Phuket |
We were rather saddened by the reminder of the devastating tsunami of 2004 as Kamala was one of he worst hit places in Phuket. Today it is all rebuilt with some beautiful places right on the beach - both restaurants and accommodation. The beach is ideal for lovely long walks and swimming.
"Located just north of lively Patong Beach is Kamala Beach, almost a polar opposite to its noisy neighbour. Its calm, shallow waters make it ideal for families or those who want a relaxing time in the water, and its length means you won’t have to fight for a place to pitch your towel. With a fishing village nearby, it’s retained a sense of authenticity, which is rare in this part of Phuket. Extremely quiet in low season, once high season comes around it picks up a little bit with water activities available, but it’s still one of the most relaxing and quiet beaches on the island".
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| Many new places to stay practically right on the beach! Kamala Phuket |
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| Busy streets with lots of tourists catching the local taxi's Phuket |
"A favourite of many who come to Phuket, Karon Beach isn’t quite as popular as Patong but there’s still plenty to do other than sunbathe here. The rocky area around the south of the beach is a top spot for snorkeling, but for those who prefer a more high-octane activity it’s possible to rent jet skis on the beach too. Whilst the sand might not be as soft as some beaches, the length of the beach means you won’t be short on space. The waves can get pretty wild during rainy season, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop; nearby, there are a handful of bars that, whilst they might not match Patong, can easily provide an evening’s worth of entertainment"
We had such an awful meal at a restaurant on the Main Road just across from Karon beach - food served on chipped, cracked plates. It was awful! Really don't know how any restaurant owner could condone such unhygienic standards - the resultant tummy upset put me off Karon Beach!!
Patong Beach
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| Beach Scene Phuket |
The most famous beach in Phuket, whilst it’s not the most scenic by Phuket’s high standards — and certainly not the quietest — it offers more activities than any other beach and has an unrivaled nightlife scene, so no list is complete without it. By day, it’s busy with tourists renting jet skis, riding banana boats and drinking on the beach and, come the night, it’s party time. Popular with young tourists due to its party atmosphere and close proximity to the neon lights of Bangla Road, you either love it or hate it, but everyone should experience it.
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| Teeth Whitening seems to be in "thing" in Phuket? |
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| Shops, shops and more shops Phuket |
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| Boats Southern part of Bang Tao Beach |
Bang Tao Beach (or Bangtao) is one of the longest beaches of Phuket, halfway between the airport and Patong Beach on the west coast of the island. With such beautiful stretch of sand, Bangtao has long been home of the famous Laguna Phuket. This immense complex hosts some of the most luxurious and largest resorts on the island such as Banyan Tree Resort, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket and Angsana Resort and Outrigger Resort.
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| Bang Tao Beach Phuket |
This area was mined for its tin many years ago. It was then abandoned and the land was considered to be worthless. Laguna Phuket has turned this into an incredible eco-project with many lakes and interesting hotels. A great place to stay if you prefer to be away from the craziness of Patong!
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| Bang Tao Beach Phuket |
In order to have a break from the beaches, we headed off to explore the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre. Unfortunately, this was closed as it was a Muslim holiday.
The Gibbons were poached to extinction about 40 years ago so this project is aiming to re-introduce them to the wild. We were very excited to hear their calls from the forest even though we could only see one in the distance. A great initiative.
The entrance to the Bang Pae Waterfall is also here - it was a beautiful walk albeit with high humidity. There were a number of kids playing around and jumping down depsite the very clear notice forbidding jumping! Teenagers - always have to test the boundaries.
"In the rainy season this 10-metre high waterfall is quite precipitous but if you visit from December to May it slows down a little yet you can still 'go native' and take a refreshing dip in one of its drop pools or at the main drop itself. It's best to wear good shoes as the path can be slippery and if you expect to be there late afternoon take mosquito repellent as the jungle is quite dense".
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| Take Insect Repellant!! Khao Phra Thaew Royal National Park |
After our walk up to the waterfall, we fancied a walk in the forest in Khao Phra Thaew Royal National Park. We had high hopes of doing the 4km walk in the Monsoon Forest but within seconds I felt like I was being eaten alive by something - midges? It was unbearably itching immediately so we had to turn back. It was so bad, I had to visit the chemist back in town for Systral ointment!
Our Thailand journey has come to an end but we are left with everlasting memories and some observations.....
Jelly Fish stings are really not nice.......
Loads of construction happening in the Bang Thao area - bigger tourist boom?
Surin - Millionaires spot!
No topless bathing allowed out of respect for the Thai people
Going round a round-a-bout - each man for himself - there is no logical order
More Massage Parlours than loaves of bread....
Tiny shops cheek by jowl - don't know how they all make a living
Alcohol is only sold from 11.00 - 14.00 hrs and then again from 17.00 to 22.00 hrs (Supermarkets)
Chang was our choice of beer - Leo and Singha beers also available.
Official U Turn Lanes are all over Thailand as many roads are 2 lane in one direction only
Scooters drive towards one on the wrong side of the road so ten pairs of eyes are needed when driving! The locals also tend to forget that their indicators are still flashing so one never knows which way they are actually headed.
So many various types of "taxis"
We did not see beggars as everybody appears to have some form of income.
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| Tourists taking selfies! Phuket View Ppoint |
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