MALACCA MALAYSIA

MALACCA

MALAYSIA

Malacca and its ever changing skyline is an example of the rapid development

and expansion in Malaysia. Reclaming, popular in Singapore for obvious reasons like growing population and need for more space, has reached Malaysia. Now, reclaming is popular in Malaysia as well.

Skyscrapers are rising up to the sky, classic landmarks like the floating Mosque are being dwarfed by building sites nearby. The famous Tower of Melaka 110 meters tall is almost equal in height to the surrounding it buildings.

This historic city dating to the 15^th century Portuguese and 18^th century Dutch influence is becoming a metropolis.

But nature is nearby. Water Islands are only five nautical miles south of the city. Pulau Besar has electricity transmitted to the island through pillons from the mainland and a regular ferry service. The city looks great at sunset from Pulau Besar. The other islands also look awesome.

The islands offer safe anchorages for yachts on a passage through Malacca Strait, the ancient trades route between China and India. Malacca has history, architecture, culture and delicious cuisine to offer. 

PULAU PINANG MALAYSIA

PULAU PINANG

MALAYSIA

Pulau Pinang is most unique of the islands surrounding Malaysian Peninsula. George Town, its capital, is expanding and growing into a metropolis. Its skyline is ever changing although heritage buildings are being preserved.

The changes are well visible on approaching the island by sea. The hills covered by rich vegetation are sprinkled with high-rises. Land is being reclaimed to build more sky-rises and roads. Well, Penang is an awesome place to live, no wonder the space is needed to accommodate newcomers to Penang and growing population.  

Temples find a prime spot in Pulau Pinang, mainly Chinese, but there are also many Hindu and Buddhist Temples. There is also a variety of Churches.

History of Penang is featured in a number of museums as well as Street Art. Street Art is decorating many otherwise insignificant buildings, walls and fences.

Penang offers delicious cuisine, variety of bars and night life. The lights of Penang can brighten your stay on this amazing island.

KO DAM KHWAN & KO DAM HOK THAILAND

KO DAM KHWAN

&

KO DAM HOK

THAILAND

Krabi Province is full of surprises. Islands are scattered throughout the bays surrounding the province. They are picturesque to look at and again full of surprises once you get closer. Long tails bring visitors to those treasures.

The scenery is dramatic. Rock formations are surrounded by rich vegetation and azure waters of the bay.

The caves are also full of treasures and shapes of rocks are astonishing.

Stretches of golden beaches invite for a walk. Then a swim in crystal clear water, or maybe a snorkel. And then a relax in the shade of casurina trees.

There are a number of comfortable and safe anchorages for yachts, some moorings closer to the reef to protect coral from anchor damage. At low tide a sand spit connects Ko Dam Hok and Ko Dam Khwan, a pleasant walk but do not get stranded at high tide, the current is strong and swimming across is not advisable if you missed a walk before tide rising too high. There are long tails to come to the rescue and carry passengers across.

Koh Dam group of islands have a stunning beauty and are well worth a visit.

PHANG NGA BAY THAILAND

PHANG NGA BAY

THAILAND

Phang Nga Bay is a treasure of picturesque little islands and rock formations on the eastern side of Phuket Island. To say the bay is scenic is an understatement. Shapes of the rock formations, their colors contrasting with green vegetation, azure sea and golden beaches are breathtaking.

There are “hongs” to be discovered. Hongs are hidden spaces inside rocky out crops that can hold pirate treasures or just rich vegetation and bird life. The mystery surrounding hongs is part of the enjoyment of searching for them.

The road to discovery is picturesque and once inside a hong it is amazing nature at its best. Hongs are unique and spectacular, best visited before tour boats with hundreds of loud visitors arrive. The numbers of visitors unfortunately erase the mystery of the hongs, the atmosphere of being alone with pirate history and impressive nature.

Often entry to hongs is subject to the height of tides. If the tide is right before tour boats arrive or after they depart, the true beauty of this magic of nature can be fully enjoyed.

The sunsets over the island are enjoyable and the peaceful moments after all tour boats head back to port are interrupted only by occasional fishermen emphasizing tranquility of Phang Nga Bay.

PHUKET ISLAND THAILAND

PHUKET ISLAND

THAILAND

Phuket Island is a well known treasure among the many islands of Thailand. Popular with visitors, it is also a cruising paradise for sailors.

Ao Chalong is a clearing port for yachts, there are many on anchor and in the Marina. Both, the anchorage and the marina are being looked after by the Big Buddha.

Road access is easy, Sarasin Bridge connects Phuket Island to the mainland. The busy airport connects Phuket to the world. There is a plan to build a light rail system for airport entry to the fabulous beaches of Phuket as well as Phuket Town. However, Phuket beaches are the reason visitors come here. Andaman Sea coast offers quiet and secluded beaches like Mai Kao and Nai Yang with crystal clear and warm waters, just perfect for swimming and sea kayaking or just relaxing in the sun. Ban Tao Bay, Kamala, Karon and Kata beaches are popular with resorts and restaurants lining their shores. Patong beach and town are the centre of action on jet skies and night life with music, discos, bars and restaurants busy until early hours.

Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country so a number of temples are present on Phuket Island and can be visited.

They offer spiritual peace, meditation and a relaxed outlook on life. Phuket has everything from energetic water sports to a relaxed vacation.

AO NANG BAY & NAPPARATTHARA BEACH KRABI THAILAND

AO NANG BAY & NAPPARATTHARA BEACH

KRABI

THAILAND

Ao Nang, once a quiet fishing village, has been annexed by Krabi as its beach resort and grown out of proportion. Surrounded by Noppartthara Beach to the West and Railey Beach to the East, Ao Nang is in close proximity to all attractions, rock climbing, beach walking, swimming and boat trips to National Parks.

Starting with spectacular sun rise from behind rocky hills to golden sun sets on Andaman Sea, Ao Nang has busy shopping malls and a Walking Street lined with cafes, restaurants and bars.

A nearby Fossil Beach offers a walk into history of this geological area and its beginnings. Princess Residence on route to National Parks represents rich Thai architecture. The Parks and Wildlife Sanctuary offer picturesque limestone cliffs, rain-forest, birds and natural wealth.

Ao Nang also represents an anchorage for yachts and tour boats. It is a busy anchorage with music from nearby bars and discos heard until early morning hours. A spectacular moon rise best visible from the anchorage and a sail to reach it through island spotted sea a sailor's paradise.

Krabi and its airport, a gateway to marvels of Ao Nang Bay and Napparatthara

Beach, is a quick bimo trip away.

LOY KRATHONG FESTIVAL CHIANG MAI THAILAND

LOY KRATHONG FESTIVAL

CHIANG MAI

THAILAND

Loy Krathong Festival is spectacular and meaningful

in Thai  culture. Thais are sending gratitude to the 

Goddess of Water and  asking for blessings.

The festival occurs on full moon of the 12^th month 

of Thai lunar calendar.

Krathong is a bascet decorated with flowers and candles released into rivers

and lakes in a special ceremony. It is also a festival of lights and dancing.

In Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated with Yi

Peng Festival, which involves releasing lanterns, khom loy, into the night sky.

Both festivals involve visitors not just enjoying dances, fire shows and

atmosphere of unity with Thais but taking active part in releasing krathong into

the river and khom loy into the sky. The Chiang Mai festival involved so many

visitors that the night sky sparkled with 4000 lanterns released in unison.