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.

CHIANG MAI the CITY of a THOUSAND TEMPLES THAILAND

CHIANG MAI

the

CITY of a THOUSAND TEMPLES

THAILAND

Chiang Mai translates as New City. However, its history dates back to 1200s when

King Mengrai moved the capital of his Kingdom to Chiang Mai.

Occupied by Burma in 1500s, when King
Bayinnaung commenced a 220 years of

regency, it was not until 1930s that Chiang Mai
became part of united Kingdom

of Thailand.

The Three Kings Monument is the mark of Chiang Mai's history. Its walled Old

City is surrounded by a moat indicating city's turbulent past.

However, the main landmark of Chiang
Mai are its monasteries and temples

called Wats. And the most important Wat is
Doi Suthep overlooking the city

from 1000 meters tall mountain.

There are Wats at every corner and along every
street. They are old and new,

golden and wooden. It truly is a temple and
Buddha statues galore.

The city is also surrounded by temples.

Chiang Mai is a delightful city with waterfalls in the nearby mountains and

the highest, 2500 meters tall, mountain in Thailand. 

There are tribes living 

in the hills, the ex-opium growing
area is now growing coffee and 
producing

crafts.

Nearby Pai is a mountain village popular with visitors from all over the 
world.

A three hour drive of alpine road leads into the mountains offering spectacular

scenery.

Chiang Mai and its surrounds are one of the most popular destinations in Thailand

and both have a lot to offer to visitors. The Northern curry is one of the delicious

culinary delights, markets stock fabulous crafts of the region. The tranqulity of

Chiang Mai temples is a perfect place for meditation.

 

SONGKHLA THAILAND

SONGKHLA

THAILAND

Songkhla is one of less visited by tourists, which makes it so much more attractive, places in Thailand. One is more inclined to meet local people rather than fellow visitors from all over the world.

Still, as far as scenic beauty of the surrounds, history and tradition are concerned, Songkhla has so much to offer. Back in the 8^th century Songkhla, then Singora, was visited by traders and in the 17^th century was still an important commercial hub. Songkhla is a port of great importance and the entry to this port is guarded by 2 islands, Ko Noo – Rat Island and Ko Maew – Cat Island. There are sculptures of both on shore. 

Water in this part of the Gulf of Siam is crystal clear and a sandy beach protected from the heat of the day by palms and trees is an excellent location for picnics and meeting locals. Other sculptures along the waterfront, some modern some historical and the most popular one, the mermaid decorate the beach. There are a number of Buddhist Temples spread through Songkhla. 

There are also a few Chinese Temples. Songkhla architecture shows Chinese influence. 

Songkhla has a mixture of Thai, Chinese and Malay population. Their culture and cuisine are reflected in everyday life. It is an interesting place to visit, out of a tourist track.