Thale Noi Lake

Thale Noi lake is part of a Thale Noi Waterfowl Reserve in Phatthalung Province, Southern Thailand. The lake is 5 kilometers wide and 6 kilometers long with an average depth of 1.2 metres. It is home to more than 180 species of waterfowl as well as many other types of birds. The lake also supports lots of reeds and bullrushes used locally for thatching and is often covered with lotus blossoms. The best way of seeing the lake is to go early morning just as the lotus blooms are flowering. Rent a boat complete with boatman. The trip takes 1 to 2 hours and as well as the birds and lotus blossoms, you will get a glimpse of locals life on and around the lake.

Lotus blossoms cover parts of the lake

Many types of birds 

Pathways through the reeds

Fisherman collecting his nets

Water buffalo are kept in shallow areas

Waterfowl

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 square kilometres (33.0 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 metres (1,119 feet) at its highest point. There are 10,134 inhabitants (2011 census), most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, following the common practice in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town). Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mykonos

Rocky Point

Rocky Point is the name of a small hotel which is, as the name suggests, situated on a rocky point otherwise surrounded by beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. It is very close to the small town of Thap Sakae which does have a railway station and some very old teak houses on its main street. About 25 kms away is Wat Tang Sai a rather beautiful temple perched on a hill overlooking Baan Krut. We have stayed at the Rocky Point hotel and can recommend it. It is not expensive, has a very nice swimming pool and serves very good (particularly Thai) food in its restaurant.

Rocky Point Resort and surroundings

Wat Tang Sai

Giant Buddha

Guardian statue

Wat Tang Sai

One of many stained glass windows

The death of Surin beach

Surin beach in Phuket was arguably Phuket's most attractive beach. Visited by people in the know from Patong as well as local expats and even the rich and famous such as Kate Moss and Rihanna, the beach was famous for its beach clubs, the forerunner of which was Catch, and restaurants ranging from the local food of the Twin Brothers restaurant to the more upmarket Taste.

In truth, things had got a little out of hand with encroachment of the beach by nearly all establishments. It had got to the point where it was almost impossible to be able to walk unimpeded along the beach. Some businesses had more or less completely taken over the beach in front of them even to the extent that one beach club had declared the beach in front of them as a private beach.

Along came the coup and it was declared that everything on the beach side of the road along the beach had to be removed but the fate of the bars and restaurants on the other side of the road was unclear a first. This appeared to be a sensible move. However after protracted deliberations the powers that be decided that all the restaurants were illegal and eventually everything was removed.

Surin beach has died, of that there is no question. Maybe in the future, as the Thais promise, it will be resurrected but certainly not as a world class beach destination for the mainly young, rich and famous.

See for yourself.

Pak Meng, Trang Province

Pak Meng is a small coastal area in Trang province. It is not so much a town or even a village although there is a small fishing community at it's northern end near the pier. It is off the well beaten tourist track but is popular at weekends with the Thais who come aboard coaches from Trang and other towns in the area. There is a long beach with many restaurants offering cheap Thai food. There are quite a few attractions in the area ranging from other beaches such as Rajamangala and Hua Hin beach (not the famous Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province), national parks such as Hat Chao Mai and boat trips to the islands lying just off shore such as Koh Muk, Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan. There are plenty of small resorts (our favourite is Sabai Sabai run by an Italian and his Thai wife) and even a five star hotel in the Anantara Si Kao resort.

Sunset Pak Meng beach

Driftwood on Hua Hin beach

Koh Kradan

Koh Mook

Hua Hin beach at dawn

Fisherman at Rajamangala beach at sunset

Chang Lang Beach

Fishing boats, Pak Meng

Pak Meng sunset