I have been anxiously waiting my return to Thailand !!! - 'plotting you could say'
Visiting twice in the past, both times just to Bangkok. Both times I loved it. But this time, I explore more of this amazing country. Thai people are the most polite, gentle in the world. Bowing their heads, putting their hands together as-if to pray - making the shape of a Lotus flower, smiling. An amazing proud culture. I love this country.
Thailand is prosperous and one of the best tourist destinations in the world. But even here, the Global Lockdowns have taken a toll on the poor. Unlike many countries of SEA, Thailand has been promoting limited tourism in Phuket for over a year - so that helps. But just this summer (May,22), they are finally pushing towards full open again. Almost getting back to normal.
With a fantastic exchange rate for US and Euro monies, Thailand is cheap in cost by American standards, but high in quality. Meals often costing $5-10, 4-5 star hotels $75/night. 3 star hotels $25-$50/night. Hostels are only $5/night if you are on a tight budget, or like the lifestyle. Street food even cheaper… and always outstanding.
While doing 100x better than Sri Lanka and African countries,, Thailand’s tourism is still very limited in 2022, fighting to recover. Good for me though, as I jump around the country with no hotel reservations – day to day. If I had tried this in 2019, I would have ended up at the Hostels!! But now in 2022, I can walk up to any hotel in Thailand, always getting an open room.
No American tourists per-normal everywhere in 2022. There are normally tons of Chinese tourist here – now, zero Chinese tourists. I just see English, and a small selection of Germans/French. Not so-many Russians as in Sri Lanka and the Maldives – just a few, keeping their heads down – with the Russian/Ukraine war in progress. All-in-all, its not crowded anywhere in Thailand and easy to explore.
I built this Thailand visit around a live aboard dive boat plan – booking the boat months ago. Diving Andaman Sea, the far-east of the Indian Ocean. Joining friends from Florida there on this adventure. Fellow divers of Seminole Scuba, Lake Mary (Orlando), Florida – home. My first Americans in months.
I enter Thailand from Sri Lanka. Just a short flight. After a stop in Bangkok, I jump to Phuket to meet my dive boat. Time to dive!
And wow!!! It was definitely a great plan. Diving the Similan and Surin islands off the West coast of Thailand. Diving here started slow, the first few dives being a-bit boring.. But, the further north we traveled, the closer and closer to Myramar we got..the diving and reefs and experiences exploded!
Tons of reef fish, great night dives, more Anemone than I’ve ever seen. Yes, I love this diving stuff! I was on the Phinisi for a week. It is an old wooden sailboat, that looks like a Pirate ship.. perfect for the dive adventure. A sister boat was featured in a James Bond movie. Easy, warm-water diving. Diving from zodiac’s, kitting up on the Phinisi. Living the Dive/Eat/Sleep life for a week. Packing in the dives.
Getting in a week of dives here was outstanding. We only got off the ship for one short island visit, just to take in views of these Granite Boulder islands. Diving 3-4 times a day. Each dive better than the previous. Tons of great photos, beautiful coral gardens, huge bait balls and schools of barracuda. No sharks,,,guess the Chinese got them all? We searched for Manta and Whale Shark, but no luck on this trip.
Unlike my last adventure .. in Sri Lanka.. Thailand is protecting these reefs. No net fishing, no dynamite fishing, no sewage being dumped in the Similan’s. Its only open seasonally. And the fish appreciate it !! This is known to be the best diving in Thailand.
After my diving alive aboard, I return to Phuket. I have planned extra time here to explore the region. Getting some fantastic advise from a shipmate that works here in Thailand, I land at a crazy perfect Hotel – ‘Stay Wellbeing’ in Rawai, near Old Phuket Town and the Chalong pier. The most amazing Spa/Sauna/Gym/pools combo I’ve ever seen. Food and expresso that was to dream-of!!! I could Live HERE!! It was that good. If in Phuket, Go there!!
I rent a Motor Scooter, and explore the entire peninsula. Getting a haircut at a funky skate shop , visiting Old Phuket Town, the Big Buddha on a mountaintop, Promthep Cap point, stopping at the Nai Hurn Temple. Wandering the hilly roads and navigating traffic. I quickly learn to ride between the cars. A little scary sometimes, but I loved every minute.
Pushing on from Phuket, I explore some famous holiday islands, Taking speedboats and Longtail boats, island hopping. My first stop is Phi Phi (pronounced Pee-Pee). This is party central!!! Packed with backpackers, 20-25 yo Europeans. Alley’s of bars, pool parties, beach parties, tattoo shops and restaurants. I had a cool hike to a mountaintop, but the rain canceled a planned tour of near by islands. Phi Phi is a cool place to experience, but I was the oldest person there !!! I felt a little out of place.
Time for another Speedboat. Onto Railay. Now,,,I found the old people. This small resort-area can only be reached by boat… How cool is that? Its famous for the Lenard DiCaprio movie ‘The Beach’. And, this place is absolutely gorgeous, living up to its reputation.
Railay makes my top 3 all-time beaches. Epic cliffs surround the beach. A cool, quality hotel to crash, an alley of bars and restaurants with live music. A cave to explore, monkeys on the roof-tops. And..if you up for it rock climbing. I skipped to rock climbing, but if its your thing.. this is a perfect spot.
Unfortunately, the beach doesn’t have quality snorkeling, but a short Longtail trip can solve that! Only sand, and a few rocks, with poor viz directly off Railay. But the water is warm and great for swimming. Reminding of the Florida Gulf-coast in summer. But Railay everything else.. Wow, its idyllic. I’d recommend this place to anyone!!
After a 5 day visit – not long enough!!, its time to hop a boat again. Longtail boat this time. And after an minibus transfer, once again, another boat adventure. This one of Phang Nga Bay and the famous James Bond Island. Part of a National Park of Limestone islands, and dramatic scenery.
I squeeze in one last Buddhist temple visit along the way; Monkey Cave and the Suwannakhuha Temple. Dating back hundreds of years, this cave complex has a huge reclining Buddha, and some interest smaller sitting ones. Never can have enough Buddha’s or temples. And outside the cave, dozens of monkeys entertain, begging for food.
Boarding yet another tour boat, for my last big adventure here in Thailand..a giant sized Longtail. I visit an island-village; Panyee… such a strange place. A flea market on stilts. Houses all connected by covered wood decks – enclosed – with goods out front and their homes in the back. Selling tourist trinkets to the James Bond Island visitors. Restaurants, a Mosque, houses.. 1600 residents, all descendants of 6 Muslim families that established this village. A curious strange place.
Finally the big show: the iconic Limestone formation that was featured in the James Bond movie ‘ Man with the Golden Gun’. The ‘Rock island’ makes for a crazy photo. A tall skinny limestone formation..looking like it wants to collapse any minute. This tiny island is packed with tourists taking photos, me included.
I’m going to have to re-read that old Ian Fleming classic, and watch that old movie again. 😊
Ahh, Thailand is amazing. I am back in Phuket after island hoping on Speedboats. Retrieving my dive gear from the Stay Wellbeing Hotel and resting a few days. Planning my onward travel. But I’m confident, I’ll return to Thailand again one day!!! …. I can’t wait already!! No wonder there are so so many ex-pats that settle here. Thailand is one of the most livable countries in the world.
Your Man in Thailand-YMIT
Comments