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Thailand Honeymoon Ideas In search of unique and exotic honeymoon ideas as the covid era slowly fades into the abyss? Thailand, the Land of Smiles, is a top destination for unforgettable honeymoons. Thailand is full of diverse, exotic places and offers limitless possibilities for romantic things to do. So what do couples do on honeymoons in Thailand? Thailand offers a big city, islands and the jungle so there are honeymoon ideas for everyone. Let’s start with the big city, Bangkok. Bangkok will be an eyeopener for many first time visitors to South East Asia. It’s busy, it’s hot, there’s strange smells and it’s huge. But don’t be scared off by this, there’s still plenty of romantic things to do on honeymoon in Bangkok. Check out some of our recommended honeymoon ideas below; Couple Massage and Spa Sessions First up there are some amazing spas to check out for a couple’s massage. Our favourite is Organika Secret Spa. It truly feels like you’ve stepped into an oasis secret garden. Even all the doors to the treatment areas look like hidden doors leading to magical rooms. It is such a romantic spa and any of the treatments there would be perfect honeymoon ideas. Our favourite is the couples’ treatment called ‘Lost in Neverland’. It will be four and a half hours of bliss creating an unforgettable honeymoon. River Cruises Another great honeymoon idea in Bangkok is to go on a Chao Phraya River cruise. This certainly is high on the list of the list of romantic things to do. We love Anantara’s Manohra Cruise. The boat was an old rice barge and now serves as a wonderful traditional boat to cruise down the river. As you cruise down the river you will see an array of exotic places such as temples, The Grand Palace and Wat Arun dotted on either side of the river. On the boat you will be served a delicious Thai dinner as you watch the scenery and listen to traditional Thai music. This experience will be sure to make an unforgettable honeymoon. Nightlife and romantic dinners Rooftop bars are also a fantastic option for romantic things to do. You can sit up on the rooftop at a table for two and dine looking over the twinkling city lights. Most of these are dimly lit with candlelight. There are several hotels that have these rooftop bars but our favourite is Vertigo with its multi-levels and nooks you can get a really private area to make it really romantic. The Most Romantic Things to do on a Honeymoon in Phuket As you have seen above, Thailand is full of exotic places for unforgettable honeymoons. Now let’s focus a little more on romantic things to do in Phuket and where to go in Phuket for a honeymoon. Private Boat Charter If you want a truly unforgettable honeymoon then look no further than chartering your own boat. Simba Sea Trips has a range of optimized private boats in Phuket from entry level to lux to take you to some exotic places only accessible by boat. They will make sure that your day will be full of romantic things to do on the water. For their private charters, you can choose from one of their tried and tested itineraries to Phang Nga, Krabi or Phi Phi Island. Or if you wish, you can design one of your own for up to 8 hours on the water. Simba can arrange some Champagne for you too at an additional cost for your Phuket honeymoon. Book a boat tour now! Kata Rocks Resort Kata Rocks is not only a stunning, sleek and designed resort for a Phuket honeymoon but it also houses an amazing array of rocks that have been flattened by the sea and now serve as the perfect spot for a dinner for romantic things to do on a honeymoon. Your Phuket honeymoon wouldn’t be complete without dining on these special rocks. The fantastic team at Kata Rocks will set up a private dining table for you to enjoy an amazing dinner under the stars. Now that is a honeymoon idea! Still searching for romantic things to do in Phuket or romantic holiday ideas? Romantic Picnic How about a romantic picnic on the beach? Check out Romantic Picnics and get them to entice you with some romantic holiday ideas for a picnic for just the two of you. They have some great packages available and will set you up a very romantic picnic complete with candles, cushions and a rug. Best Places to Travel in Thailand by month If you are looking for the best places to travel in Thailand throughout the year to create an unforgettable honeymoon then check out the months below for what’s on when and where in Thailand. There’s sure to be some great honeymoon ideas in some exotic places throughout Thailand; Best places to travel in January Go check out the Chinese New Year celebrations in Bangkok. Best places to travel in February Go check out the Chiang Mai Flower Festival for all the new blooms Best places to travel in March March is when Thailand celebrates National Thai Elephant Day Best places to travel in April The biggest holiday of the year is Songkran or Thai New Year. This is known as the biggest water fight in the world. If you happen to be on your Phuket honeymoon during this time then be sure to head to Bangla road to celebrate. Best places to travel in May The Rocket Festival in Yasothorn Provence is a festival that tries to encourage the rain for the rice fields. Best places to travel in June Head to Pan Sai in Loei Provence for the Ghost Festival Best places to travel in July July is all about the candle festival in Ubon Ratchathani Best places to travel in August In August there is another Ghost Festival but this time in Phuket. Best places to travel in September Time to celebrate Thai

Best beaches in Phuket Updated: A holiday to Thailand means exploring some of the best beaches in Phuket and boat tours to the nearby islands. Phuket has some of the best beaches in Asia if not the world. Phuket is very unique in that there are in excess of 20 high-quality beaches to visit in a relatively compact area and indeed most of the island’s principal resort and accommoda/krabi-classics-railay-beach/tion locations are built around very accessible beach front. We focus on 7 beach locations for this article – they are all favourites of the Simba team and all definitely the best beaches in Phuket. Kick back and check out these places of natural luxury, lush sands, tall palm trees and clean waters, ready to welcome all the visitors with their lovely smooth waves! Some Common Sense Beach Tips It is important to remember that substantially all of the best beaches in Phuket Thailand are located at the southern tip of the island or along the length of the West Coast. The East Coast (ie facing Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay) is dominated by estuaries and mangrove forests; good for the local fisherman but not at all suitable as a beachside location. With respect to safety, it is very important to note that for most beaches surf life-saving coverage is limited or non-existent and nowhere near the standards typically found in Australia and the US. Accordingly, you must take responsibility for your own safety and like many other beaches around the world, Phuket does experience rough surf conditions (particularly in low season) and strong currents/rips. This article highlights some of our favourite beaches with a particular focus on the less well-known, family friendly locations and some fabulously hidden secrets. Now we make our first mention, for those of you with the time to explore a little further afield from Phuket, our personal favorite area to visit outside of Phuket…. Krabi. Railay Beach, Krabi Railay beach Krabi is a truly postcard-worthy, idyllic tropical landscape which has two beaches, one facing east, the other facing west, with a great selection of reasonably priced hotels, bars, and restaurants in between these two beaches. Walk the stretch of the beach with the pristine blue and the velvet sand and enjoy the peace of the warm sun glazing your skin with gently warm rays.  Krabi is particularly well known with the adventure seekers and rock climbers and has a much more laid back feel to it than most of the busiest beaches in Phuket. Laying on this beach in Phuket and soaking in all the best beauty of the island. Once you realize that you are now lying on the sand of the best beaches in Phuket and probably all of Earth, then it becomes surreal! Rock climbers from far and wide come to Railay Beach Krabi to hone their skills and scale up and down one of the numerous climbing sites in and around the Railay Beach area. It looks exhausting, and it sure is fun to watch these fit and toned guys and girls give it their best shot. Another highlight if you’re staying overnight in Railay is the sunset relax session on the west facing the beach. Drink some very reasonably priced cocktails on beach mats, while the local Thais and tourists alike enjoy a game of beach football as the sun goes down.  A great way to close out an awesome day. So as an aside trip from visiting the best beaches in Phuket, Krabi should not be missed.  It offers something different to the usual tourist destinations out of Phuket being Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay. What to do on a Krabi tour If you have limited time and are unable to spend a stunning night or two in Krabi, a great way to see the highlights of Krabi in one day out of Phuket is the Krabi Island tour operated by Simba.  We are the only tour company operating a day tour to Railay Beach Krabi, one of the best beaches in Phuket, out of Phuket and we are proud to share with you on this tour the amazing sites of Krabi. Arrive at Koh Hong National Park before the crowds as our first stop.  This is a truly beautiful beach, a paradise on earth, and you’ll be so glad you got out of bed so early to experience this amazing national park all to yourself (tour departs at 630am). Stops and Activities Following on from breakfast on the beach is a visit to the intriguing Koh Hong Lagoon, then snorkeling stop nearby Chicken Island before we arrive at what we believe to be the best beach in Krabi, Phranang Beach.  Here you will find the most amazing small beach with an enormous and spectacular limestone rock face towering over this beautiful landscape.  Look out for the peculiar display of phallic objects in a small cave.  A local fisherman’s tradition of days gone by. For the more adventurous at Phranang cave, there is a secret cave to find and crawl through in the pitch black on your hands and knees, or a challenging climb up a steep side of a hill, clawing your way up the track, clinging to fig tree roots to reach an amazing viewpoint of the famous Railay east and west beaches. You’ll also find a secret lagoon perched way up in the jungle at the top of this limestone karst. After a busy morning of sightseeing swimming, snorkeling or climbing, it’s time to be whisked away to the Grand Centara Resort Krabi for a scrumptious, indulgent lunch at this beautiful 5-star resort. Moving on to Nai Harn, this is located in the southern cape near Rawai and work our way north along the west coast towards the airport. Nai Harn / Ao Sane / Ya Nui Beach If you are looking for the beach that can start your day with a chill vibe then you shouldn’t be looking at places such as Patong Beach in Phuket

Wat Cherngtalay Wat Cherngtalay is the new favourite weekend destination is Phuket.  So, if you are looking for something fresh besides the usual famous places such as Patong, Phromthep Cape or Old town Phuket, then this place is going to be a breath of fresh air that’s for sure.  Much as the places just mentioned are considered the top-rated tourist destinations in Phuket, the place where most tourists dream of visiting, there are times when one just craves for a new experience because these popular spots can be a bit overwhelming given the massive crowds that you will encounter there. So, if you are looking for an equally, less overwhelming alternative, then try out Wat Choeng Thale temple. This is a pretty exciting neighbourhood on Phuket’s west coast that is both charming and packed with character. And what makes it the perfect weekend gate away is its seaside location. The Wat Cherngtalay Temple This Buddhist temple sits on large grounds with enough buildings there and is located near Laguna Beach on Phuket Island. It is a serene beach so whenever you need some peaceful time, then you should go there – the perfect place to spend those 48 hours of your weekend at the Andaman Sea. So, head on to Wat Cherngtalay if you are looking to rejuvenate and reset your mind from the hustle and bustle of Phuket’s hyper streets and life in general.  There main attraction here is the Buddhist monument which houses a bone relic of Buddha which is originally from Sri Lanka. The architectural design and artwork on both the outer and inner walls of the temple are to die for. You will find get to see painted murals of intricate scenes of daily Thai life plus interactions of the Buddhist disciples and Buddha. These disciples include the monks and everyday people. The light posts have been crafted with the lights in Buddhist figures hands. Most Thai locals usually come to Wat Choeng Thale temple to make offerings and receive blessings by the monks. There is also an area where one can burn incense sticks. So, what is interesting at the temple? Is there anything in particular to do here that draws visitors to the temple? Well, to be honest, not really. Well, here is how to spend your time in this new favourite weekend destination. Having mentioned the painted murals above, normally people just come to the temple to walk around, enjoy the interesting and intricate artwork and take photos. It’s also a very serene place for prayer and meditation. That said though, be prepared for some distractions and sounds and the few stray dogs that have made the temple their home and territory.  Other things to do… The good thing about this place is the warm waters and smooth sand of the Surin beach. So, if you get tired of the temple, you can always go and take a swim here. There are other water-based activities that you can enjoy here too. Plus, while at Surin beach, you will always find a restaurant along the beach for drinks and lunch. There are Laguna hotels and resorts near Wat Choeng Thale temple as well as the Canal village. You can take a ferry trip and enjoy the views of the hotels there. And if you are planning stay the night, you will not run out of places to wine and done. The spots to hang around in the evening are the Bampot Kitchen & Bar, Catch Beach Club or the Palm Seaside Restaurant & Lounge   To get to Wat Cherngtalay, if you are coming from the Heroines Monument, there is a secluded sign post for Surin Beach. Take that road and stay on it for not more than 15 minutes. The temple will be on your right-hand side. There is a parking inside the temple’s grounds just before Cherng Talay Village grounds. Let the reviews do the talking With google reviews of like 4.3 out of 5, if you are into enjoying historical places, walking around this Buddhist temples is worth giving it a shot.

Loi Krathong is one of the most high-spirited festivals that are celebrated nationally in Thailand. People refer to this famous floating lantern festival or float a basket festival as the ‘festival of lights’. Much as it is not an official public holiday in Thailand it is a Buddhist festival that is highly looked forward to and celebrated in Thailand.  To show you how valued this exuberant festival is, it is also celebrated by few neighbouring places outside Thailand. The only difference is that it goes under different names there. In Sri Lanka, they call it Il Full Moon Poya, in parts of Myanmar, it goes by Tazaungdaing festival while the Cambodians call it Bon Om Touk. How is the date of the festival of lights determined? The date of this festival is not fixed. It changes every year. Like most other Buddhist holidays, what usually determines the date is that the festival occurs on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. Normally as per the Gregorian calendar this infamous festival falls on the month of November every year (or October and November as per the Western calendar). It’s only the dates that keep changing. So typically, the date is announced a month before the festival. The Thai people will be celebrating Loi Krathong 2021 on the night of Friday, November 19th. What does the name as well as the festival mean?  Remember earlier when we mentioned that it’s a floating lantern or float a basket festival? Well, ‘Loi’ means ‘float’ whereas ‘Krathong’ refers to a small basket which is usually adorned with flowers, candles, banana leaves and incense sticks. Hence the ‘float a basket’ festival. So, the festival is to get rid of misfortunes by floating them away in the baskets. It’s meant to cleanse people’s minds, lighten their souls and give them a fresh start.  On the evening of the festival, the locals of Thailand meet together to release the Krathongs in to rivers, lakes, and canals as the seek for purification and forgiveness from the Goddess of Water. The origin of the festival The festival originated in the oldest Sukhothai Kingdom which goes 800 years back and is related to Lord Buddha and water. The Loi Krathong Festival originated in the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom which dates back 800 years. It is a festival that is closely associated with water and Lord Buddha. Because it was believed that the people of the Sukhothai Kingdom and the Thai locals today are closely connected to water and rely heavily on agriculture, they had to pay tribute to the river goddess Pra Mae Khongkha and Buddha and show gratitude for the water resources that they had in plenty as well as ask for forgiveness for the water pollution they have caused. So just like 800 years ago, people are also looking forward to wash away sins of the past year and look forward to a clean state and good fortune the following year. Its all about letting go of past anger and hatred of any form. Place the festival is celebrated Much as the Loi Krathong 2021 will celebrated all over Thailand, there are specific places where the festivities happen on a massive scale. If you want to have the full experience here are the places to consider… Sukhothai is considered to be the birth place of the festival. As opposed to other places which celebrate the festival 3 days, here it continues for about five days. Here you will experience floating lights, parades and lively performances, beauty contests as well as almsgiving practice to Buddhist monks. Chiang Mai is one of the best places to fully experience the festival. You have the advantage of enjoying the picturesque views of the sky lanterns, exhibitions, fireworks, colourful parades, and traditional dance performances. What makes Bangkok the other place to consider experiencing the festival is number of ponds and waterways there are to launch the Krathongs. The most popular places to launch the lighted baskets are Asiatique riverside, Wat Saket, Lumpini Park, Chao Phraya River and Benjasiri Park. Get there and enjoy the floating processions and fireworks. Phuket has lots of major beaches so if you don’t mind the large crowds, consider participating Loi Krathong 2021 celebrations here in places like Patong Beach, Nai Harn, Suan Luang Park and Saphan Hin Park. How long does the festival last? Usually, it lasts 3 days in most places in Thailand. The place that the celebrations last for 5 days like I mentioned above is at Sukhothai. Preparations as well as decorating for the festival are usually organized about a week before the festival. Planning for the 2021 festivals? As per Thai government travel by foreign tourists will begin on October 1st, 2021. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), only those who have been vaccinated and hold the inoculation certificate will be exempted from quarantine. There may also be some changes to the details of the event. So, contact your travel agency before making any travel plans. 

Tachai Island – A divers dream Koh Tachai is an island in the famous Similan national park in south-west Thailand. The park is popular with tourists and divers – who will still have access to a few dive sites in the area. The place is amazingly full of rocks covered in beautiful corals. Currents are a bit strong and is highly recommended if you are a diver. There are lots of beautiful photography areas. The shallow waters fringing Tachai have little interest to the many Similan liveaboards that visit the island. Off the south of the island is one of the best dive sites and the dive boats tend to dock there. This means quiet, secluded locations to conduct snorkel activities. The Tachai island is also an important aggregation site for migrating Manta rays which are sometimes spotted off the northern point of the island. If you know where to go, there is a chance to detect other larger marine creatures. In the quieter areas you will sometimes spot reef sharks. A scary thought, but these sharks are afraid of people and pose absolutely no danger. A Thai Rangers’ camp with basic facilities like toilets and a restaurant allows tourists to enjoy some least amount of comfort. Most of the visitors to Koh Tachai stay on and off the beach to sunbath, swim and snorkel, while the most adventurous try to reach the viewpoint on the west coast of the island that can be reached via a steep path located toward the northern end of the beach. There are two amazing dive sites at Tachai island, the plateau to the south and the eastern reef. Off the eastern coast, the sheltered shallow waters make for good night dives. Most liveaboards will tether here for the night. Tachai plateau It is about 1km southeast of the island. It is named so because it is ringed by a ridge-like coral plateau crowned with hard corals, scattered boulders, sloping from 12 – 35 m to the sandy bottom.  Some of the boulders to the west have formed swim throughs and to the east many smaller rocks covered in sea whips and hard corals. It is best to pay close attention to a dive master’s guide as Koh Tachai island plateau can be challenging at times although the swim-throughs provide shelter from the strong currents. This site is for the experienced diver. Towards the end of the dive, you may see coral-eating Hawksbill turtles, groups of batfish or even the banded sea snake. Tachai pinnacle  This is usually done as a drift dive. The strong currents enable the barracudas, sharks etc. to hunt easily for smaller prey. Whether there are current or slack tides, this dive site can be a magical place to find large and small marine life and is often listed as a favorite among the dive professionals. Early morning dives can waken you up from your slumber quite quickly as it can sometimes be a feeding frenzy and you may not know where to look as there are so many fish. Visibility varies on the month and the amount of plankton in the water, between 10-30m. Small frogfish and nudibranch are known to grace these waters. How to get to the island The easiest way to get to Tachai island is on a Thailand liveaboard trip to the Similan or Surin Islands, which will depart from either Phuket or Khao Lak. It is worth checking what port you prefer to depart from. Khao Lak is about 100km north of Phuket and can be reached overland. There are international flights into Phuket and / or domestic flights from Bangkok to Phuket. Reachable from Khao Lak in one hour you may find other day boats in the area.

Golfing in Phuket If you are planning to golf in Phuket, then you need to know which the best golf courses are because they have very beautiful golf courses. The main issue is which one to golf at. You will definitely be spoilt for choice.  One thing that makes the golf courses on the island great is that they are designed in a way that gives one a great golfing experience as you enjoy the tropical climate of the island and unique scenery.  The thing that makes Phuket the best destination for golfing when on holiday is that they have world-class golf courses. Believe me when I say, Phuket is a golfers’ paradise. The golf courses are well manicured. To add more effect to their beauty are the waters and the tropical trees. Most of the golf courses are near hotels so if it’s a family holiday, you don’t have to worry. They can bask on the beach or by the swimming pools. Your only worry should be where to play golf in Phuket? Luxurious and top-notch customer service come with the golf packages. The standards are set very high. The green grass and vegetation are super green and the holes offer the well needed challenge for experienced players. Some of the ones that are on our list of the best golf courses have hosted world championships and international competitions. So, if you are a golfer on holiday, then Phuket will offer you a memorable golfing experience.  Check out our best 7 golf courses and choose one that will suit you best. Red Mountain Golf Club If you are wondering about where to play golf in Phuket and are looking for the best of the best, the Red Mountain Golf Club has been rated by the people who have played here as Phuket’s number 1 golf course when asked to pick which one was the best course they have played in. Why? The scenery is just breath-taking with the most unique layouts in Thailand. One thing you have to know is that it is also the be the most expensive. But if you can afford it, the golfing experience you will get here is worth every penny and the view alone is breath-taking. The name came from the fact that the course meanders between hills, lakes and ponds. Blue Canyon Country Club – Canyon Course This one is a famous championship golf course that hosted the prestigious Johnnie Walker Classic twice where the infamous golfer Tiger Woods won. It is the one of the best golf courses and it has the best layout in Phuket. If you are looking for a challenging course then this will be great for you. Much as it has the best layout, the conditions aren’t always great. So better check it out first before making a booking. Blue Canyon Country Club – Lakes Course The Blue Canyon Country Club, Lakes Course is a sister course to the challenging Blue Canyon Country Club – Canyon Course. This one is the easier one and is perfect for players of all levels. So, if say you are new to golfing and are wondering where to play golf in Phuket you should consider this course. That said though it is also has enough challenges for average golfers too. Compared to the Canyon Course, this one is always in good condition. As the name goes, it has plenty of water hazards, canyons, and ponds. You will also have to avoid some rubber trees when playing. Laguna Golf Phuket This is the most popular resort golf course. It is located in the middle of Laguna hotel and resort complex near Bangtao beach. Initially it was quite boring and flat but after some remodelled and re-designed it now provides golfers the much-needed challenge for golfers of all levels with enough bumps and hollows. It’s not a very long course and its main defence are the strategically sited bunkers and water hazards and the newly shaped greens which have plenty of bumps and hollows which makes putting a challenge. The course has superb facilities and friendly staff. Phuket Country Club This is one of the oldest best golf courses in Phuket. Compared to the newer ones, it is pretty short but tremendously popular to both locals and visitors alike and very ideal for experienced handicappers. Initially people used to walk but these days they have buggy tracks for buggies. The landscape is varied – flat mid-section, undulating fairways and with holes closer to the jungle. Mission Hills Golf Club  This one was designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus. It is that is the only golf course that has holes beside the sea.  As picturesque as the course is, this can be a bit of a disadvantage during strong winds. There is a fabulous clubhouse with facilities that will meet your expectation. The maintenance of the course has been a challenge and drainage poor during heavy rains. Its best to check its condition before playing. Loch Palm Golf Club  If you are looking for where to play golf in Phuket in the easiest way possible. The course is situated in a valley overlooked by jungle-covered hills. There is a huge lake surrounded by the first few holes. Once you are through with the first holes or can avoid them, things get easier. Most holes aren’t so exhilarating but they are exciting enough for most local golfers. What else to do in Phuket? Other than absorbing the Phuket night life or visiting the famous local markets, the majority of activities in Phuket that are highly popular are water-related. From snorkeling, to diving, to a wide range of watersports, the region is blessed with sunshine and sensational beaches. There is no better way to experience all of this than on-board a Phuket boat tour with the friendly Simba team.

Phra Nang Cave Beach Phra Nang Cave Beach is one of the beaches that is set against a backdrop of beautiful limestone cliffs – perfect background for taking pictures. They also provide some good shade from the sun. For those people who don’t like the crowd this is the perfect beach to hang out in as it is a secluded cave beach. The beach is located south of Railay Peninsula. There are three other beaches in this peninsula but of the four this one has the cleanest, clearest and calmest waters. The sand is also soft and Phra Nang Beach is perfect for swimming as well as just relaxing as you enjoy the stunning view of Krabi. You can also see the views of Poda, Chicken and Tup Islands from a distance. What’s great about this cave beach? Phra Nang Cave Beach bordered by bright green seas on all sides. The beach is a stretch of about 450 meters. The sand is white and very soft for just relaxing as you enjoy the shallow, calm as you soak up the sun. There is a lot that you can do here. Besides the relaxing and swimming in the shallow waters, travellers as well as locals enjoy other activities such as swimming, snorkelling, and rock climbing. Most people walk to an island called Happy Island which is a great snorkelling spot. There are also the caves to explore. The locals normally visit Phra Nang Beach mainly because of the Princess Cave (Tham Phra Nang Nok). This is because the cave is apparently home to a Goddess of fertility. There are lots of penis statues. Locals come here to present offerings like flowers and incense. If you want to experience Thai cuisine, this beach won’t disappoint you because there are many long tail boats anchored at the shores which serve various foods and snacks. And if you want the view of the entire beach, there is off-beat route which leads to amazing viewpoints. What to watch out for… When you visit here, expect lots of monkeys swinging from tree to tree. Knowing how cheeky monkeys are, you need to be careful with your things and food as they have a reputation of snatching things from visitors’ hands. The other thing you need to beware of at Phra Nang Cave Beach is that most of the times, the bay has small jellyfish so swimming or paddling becomes a challenge. Oh! There are no toilets either making it hard to visit for an entire day. Where to stay… If you are planning to spend the night, the only accommodation available here is a luxurious 5-star beach resort called the Rayavadee Resort. The hotel is perfect and is located at the perfect spot. It is perfect for a romantic getaway, honeymooners and wedding venue. So, seeing as it’s a 5-star resort, you definitely have to have money to afford a stay here. The other options available near Phra Nang Beach at the Railay beach.  Much as these hotels have a tropical feel, they still exude the atmosphere of a local village. How to get there There are longtail boats from Ao Nang which go directly to the beach. The ride takes between 10 and 15 minutes. If you are coming from West Railay you may have to walk to East Railay and walk along the beach towards Rayavadee Resort up to the beach. Of course, you are more than welcome to enquire with the Simba Team about a Phuket private charter tour to Phra Nang.

Lampi Waterfall Khao Lak Lampi Waterfall in Khao Lak is surrounded by a very beautiful mountain side with several waterfalls around it and a breathtaking countryside. Between July and December is the best time to explore the waterfalls since this is the rainy season and the waterfalls will be the biggest. Sunlight adorns this waterfall that is located 30 minutes south of Khao Lak and most people couple this trip with a visit to Mai Khao Beach. It is one of the most popular waterfalls in Thailand. It is located within the Khao Lam Pi – Hat Thai Mueang National Park. It is a 3 level waterfall with the main pool directly accessible from the car park after a couple of minutes’ walk. By the car park you’ll find a café/restaurant as well as a rudimentary souvenir shop. The water in the Lampi waterfall is refreshingly (or bone chilling) cold. It is certainly colder than the average Thai shower. The waterfall is quite impressive with multiple levels of cascades tumbling out of the jungle. The hills to the east of Lampi Waterfall Khao Lak are about 500m high, almost the same as the highest point in Phuket. The Lampi Waterfall Khao Lak is great for swimming. The main pool is wide and deep, perfect for swimming around. Nearby you can also go and explore the Thai Mueang beach which has nice restaurants along the beach. The beach drops quickly so beware as the pool will be very deep. While the flowing water looks calm, you may not feel the same peace when you try to swim in the main pool because of its depth. There is also a 1 km nature trail which follows the stream to its peak. Meals, drinks, and souvenirs can be purchased at several small stalls near the waterfall. Entry to Lampi Waterfall Entry to the Hat Thai Mueang National Park is about 100 baht per person. There are plenty of awesome tours, day trips and excursions to do at Lampi Waterfall Khao Lak.  Nevertheless, the most beautiful part is located near the parking lot and so this waterfall is also suitable for those, who do not really don’t like hiking. You can visit this waterfall on your own (taxi, scooter) or with a guided waterfall tour from Khao Lak. For hiking lovers, Khao Lampi Nature Trail is a 2.1 kilometer loop trail located near Thai Mueang, Phang Nga, Thailand that features Lampi waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.

Samui vs Phuket Samui vs Phuket? This must be the question on your mind if this is your first time visiting on of the infamous beach holiday counties in the world; Thailand. I have been back and forth on the internet looking for information about these two holiday destination, it can get a little confusing that’s for sure especially with the loads of information highlighting the best of both worlds. Now between the two islands, which one is really better than the other? The thing with trying to choose between Phuket or Samui is its not like making choices between two fruits, say orange and banana. The thing with these two islands is that they are both stunning. So, when it comes to trying to make a choice, then you need to go with your preference. Ask yourself, what you want to experience while on your holiday. So, Samui Island or Phuket Island where should you really go? Well let’s hope that this article will assist you in making that choice. The overview of both Samui and Phuket Phuket If you are looking for a more developed holiday destination as you head on to Thailand, then Phuket is your best bet. You will have more things and activities to engage in as well as more spots to visit. If you are looking for a shopping experience, Phuket is the choice. First off, they have several modern malls and shopping options. Between Samui vs Phuket, you will experience better dining experiences and there is more history and culture to learn a lot about. Let me not forget to mention the Phuket Old Town which is perfect for exploration, despite the age of the visitor. You can do a lot of island-hoping in Phuket too. There are marinas where you can go there and charter a yacht that can shuttle you from the most popular islands like Similan Island and Phi Phi Island. You can even get your own private charters since there are 4 marinas here. Tourists watch the very popular sunset cruises. For those who love the party scene, there will be no much confusion about Phuket or Samui because there are over-water all night parties. Koh Samui One thing makes Samui different from Phuket is that there are more beach clubs there and lesser bars. If you are one who loves street food, then Samui is lined with them every corner of the island. That said, it means that there are lesser shopping malls. You will find more restaurants on the beach and lesser dining spots in the main parts of towns. There are no marinas at Samui. Like I said, depending on what you want to experience, the choice between Samui Island or Phuket Island can be quite easy. Now it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to enjoy chartered yacht hare. There are fewer options but there are options alright. You can charter a private yacht and still and move around Samui in style. Compared to Phuket, Samui has more water-based adventurous activities to partake in with it being popular for having the best diving spots in Thailand. Phuket’s adventurous activities are more land-based. The islands may differ a bit but if you are still wondering between Samui vs Phuket, one thing I can tell you for sure is that both islands have great places to visit. Seeing as both are surrounded by waters, you will definitely find something to do if you are one that enjoys water sports and other water activities. Hiking and trekking on both islands are options too. As for martial arts fanatics, there are Muay Thai events to keep your self busy with. Both islands offer cooking classes and great Thai cuisine experiences. So let us analyse these two islands further based on what you can find here and activities… Beaches Phuket or Samui – which island has the best beaches? There are more beaches in Phuket, with more family friendly options to choose from. Basically, there is something for everyone. The beaches have different atmospheres. For instance, Mai Khao Beach is more secluded compared to the party atmosphere of Patong Beach. On the other hand, at Koh Samui, there are lesser beaches. But much as they are lesser than Phuket, the beaches at Samui are better in quality with softer and whiter sand and clearer, calmer waters. There are more bars and clubs on beaches. So, if you are traveling with kids, Phuket’s beaches will be much better for you. Accommodation spots Between Samui Island or Phuket Island, Phuket has by far the largest and hotel industry. There are more than 1200 properties. Do you want 5-star beachfront resorts or do you prefer simple guesthouses. The variety here is amazing and even if you are traveling on a budget, you will something. Seeing as the hotel industry is booming, there is definitely lots of competition which makes accommodation here pretty affordable even during high season. The accommodation scene in Samui is that it has more beachfront properties, hence more beachfront resorts. Most of the hotels will be found on beaches. That said, both islands have plenty of private villas. Cuisine Comparing Samui vs Phuket in terms of flavours, there has been lots of multicultural influences over the years in Phuket so the cuisine here is more colourful and more flavourful. But if you prefer travelling like a local, Patong or Kamala will offer you the real tastes of Thai cuisine. Samui on the other hand offers more convenient eating and dining experience. There is a main street of restaurants behind the beach with restaurants offering foods from all over the world. So, when you are there, even if you don’t fancy the Thai options, you should be able to find more palatable and conventional options without having to look for them too far. Culture If you are looking for the cultural spots, between Phuket or Samui, Phuket is a better option. As mentioned earlier, there are lots of spots

Wat Phra Nang Sang Temple Constructed more than 500 years ago, the Wat Phra Nang Sang Temple is the oldest Thai temple in Phuket. Much as it is said that the temple dates back over 500 years, one cannot really say with certainty that this is its real age because there have been some renovations and rebuilding that has been done over the centuries. So, it will be more accurate to say that it has been on the grounds that it’s perched on for more than 500 years. Most people claim that this temple is quirky.  This quirky temple was constructed when at the time, the main city of Phuket was Cherngtalay in Thalang. The quirky bit comes from the fact that it looks like its forever under construction with unfinished buildings that no one is making an effort to complete. Stories behind Phra Nang Sang temple There are various stories that have come up about why the Wat Phra Nang Sang Temple was constructed.  One of them claims that some powerful ruler from southern Thailand built this temple for his wife. The other says that it was built to honour a princess who had been sentenced to be executed. Sadly, she was innocent. She had just been framed. Because of her innocence, she oozed white blood which showed people how pure she was. Because of that myth, the temple also goes by the name, Wat Luad Khao which translates to ‘White Blood Temple’. Here is more… When the Burmese invaded Phuket in 1785, the people who fought them off were led by two sisters. The people of Phuket gathered at front of the temple to watch the battle. Every year in the month of March, this battle is celebrated at the Phuket Heroines Festival that is held in Thalang. What you will find at Phra Nang Sang temple The temple grounds have quite a number of main buildings. Most of the buildings are decorated with lots of elaborate ornaments, surrounded by lots of statues of various origins hence they don’t have a similar theme. However, most of the things you will find here have been influenced by a mixture of Chinese and Thai mythology. The central building at the Wat Phra Nang Sang Temple has a more traditional style, excessively ornamented with gold. Red is the main colour of the building. It also has a lot of paintings that somehow tell a story of Lord Buddha’s life and major historical events. As you move further through the complex, you will find a human size stature of a police man next to a lion and a tiger. The policeman statue doesn’t have an arm. So, if you are the type to draw conclusions then you will probably think these concrete figures are telling a story of how a cop’s arm was eaten by the lion or tiger. On the grounds of the temple are statues of Thao Sri Sunthon and Thao Thep Kassatri. There is a larger statue at the Heroines Monument which is located on the main road between Phuket City and the airport. As you drive from Phuket airport, you can see the front part of the temple from the road. As you go behind the red and gold building at Wat Phra Nang Sang Temple grounds, you will find another building that looks totally different in terms of its style. The gates of the building are guarded by god warriors armed with automatic weapons. There is also a small reclining Buddha which is way smaller compared to the huge one that can be found at Wat Sri Sunthon, towards the south of Thalang area. There are also two Buddha heads made from tin. A temple with such diverse attractions is definitely worth a visit. While not possible on board a Simba Private Boat Tour, our team is able to advise on the best way to visit this once-in-a-lifetime temple.