Naiyang Beach and Sirinat National Park

Another day in Phuket, another new beach explored. I was told there are 37 beaches on this island. I may go back and count how many I have been to! This particular beach has been last on my list but never seen because it’s a 47 minute drive away from my condo. Not that it’s impossible with Tia, but with the unpredictable storms, I was hesitant to risk it.

Rebecca, who is originally from Singapore, has been living in Phuket for 10 years and knows all the ins and outs of this island. She’s a part owner of a wakeboard company here which I need to try out one day. She wanted to meet for lunch up here and I jumped at the chance to not only do lunch with her, but have a legitimate excuse to see this location.

This beach is located right by the Phuket International Airport. It is known for all the photographs, which are now illegal to take, with people on the beaches literally reaching up and appearing to be touching a plane flying overhead.

Beach umbrellas lined up and ready to be rented.

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” – Jennifer Lee

Koh Maphrao aka Coconut Island aka Giligan’s Island

Virlane and I planned a trip to Coconut Island today in between our Cambly students. Neither of us had been there before and wanted to check it out.

It’s one of the most underdeveloped islands in Phuket off the east coast. It still does not have electricity and is powered by privately owned generators. Close by this island are some well known floating restaurants. Getting to the island only takes 5 minutes on a longtail boat which costs 100 BHT. Seems only locals take this route. All other tourists take the speed boat which drops you off at a pier directly outside the one functioning resort.

This island is rumored to be the location inspiring and used as the backdrop for Giligan’s Island. (my favorite tv show growing up!)

I think you can see why with this image. The Giligan’s Island theme song keeps running through my head.

When we were eating lunch I caught a glimpse of a water slide and I was determined to find its entry point before I left. Virlane offered to hold my bag and shoes and off I went! Loved it.

The slide was actually made up of several continuing slides that each landed into a small swimming pool. Then you swam to the next slide. There was not a soul in sight and each slide was surrounded by that gorgeous landscaping! I didn’t want to get out. I was giddy like a kid when I met back up with Virlane who was waiting with some paper towels from the bathroom for me to dry off with. 🙂

She’s such an adorable, good humored, fun loving, beer drinking, midwestern, card reading, easy going, life coaching, supportive friend. I will definitely miss her when she moves!

Iguana Beach

I’ve driven past this sign many times in transit to other beaches but for some reason today my instinct told me to explore. I parked Tia, never knowing where these trails will lead and I started my hike down.

She continues to be my steady companion here in Phuket 🙂

This one at least looked civilized with steps and hand rails along the way. This is a view looking up when I was walking out.

Then I spotted this view and thought are you kidding me? You never know what you will discover on this island.

The bartender was showing me a photo from last year of this same beach and there were a ton of rocks blocking the water. They moved them this year.

Glorious God Given Sunsets

“Peace is seeing a sunset, and knowing who to thank.”

Today I followed my instincts on where to go and what to see. As I was returning back to Kathu from my waterfall adventure in Kamala, my heart took me on a detour to a beach to catch the sunset. I parked Tia and joined the ever growing beach crowd at Patong, and so glad I did!

As I sat in the sand with my Bacardi cooler in hand, my desire was to just sit and admire the changing colors as the sun settled into the water. But I could not stop taking photos! The minute I thought it couldn’t color the sky any prettier, it transitioned again. Wanted to share the moments captured for those who also admire and appreciate this spectacular ,tranquil, everyday occurrence.

A perfect ending to my adventurous day!

Subtle Surin Beach

As I see my friends and family on video chat wearing sweaters and hoodies preparing for the winter months, I have to say it’s beautiful this November in Phuket. Getting prettier if that’s possible.

I forced myself out today since the clouds were fluffy and filled with protection potential. I hadn’t been to Surin Beach in awhile and wanted to see if the crowd was starting to transition to the High Season. This beach is located in a Muslim community and not very touristy at all. It’s like a hidden gem surrounded by a local community.

I did get a chuckle out of seeing a tuktuk exit a mosque with Jesus mudflaps on his back tires. Love a little irony.

Driving Tia gaining excitement when catching this view.

The umbrellas are out and adding color to the landscape.

Nature always helps me feel connected. Grounded. Part of beauty in this world. I am doing my best to not allow work to reconsume my soul. Even though my jobs are remote, I still struggle to balance the time spent trying to make money for others (and a little for myself ) and not wrap my self worth into that package.

So flipping lucky to be here. Looking forward to getting out more in days to come.

Naithon Beach

I got to see another new- to- me beach in Phuket and I loved it! Naithon Beach has been on my list for quite some time but it is about a 45 minute drive from where I live. Tia gets tired, so sometimes that is a tough trip. But this Sunday I was stopping for brunch with Jason, Rebecca, Sterling and some other new friends and having a 25 minute stopping point would be helpful.

Along the road to the beach I finally got to witness one of the spirit temple graveyards! I read about them when researching the spirit temples for a previous blog post, but have never seen them discarded. It was a tad eerie.

Almost looks like a broken down village.

I can only hope they coerced the spirits completely out before leaving them here.

Just wanted to share for anyone who read the spirit temple blog from May.

As I approached the Naithorn area, I saw the beach through the trees. The street had very limited traffic. It was quiet and had a local town feeling. There were not too many people out and no 7/11 or any commercial businesses. Just trees along one side of the road and construction and local buildings along the other. It was a new landscape to see.

I parked Tia once I saw this view. Then I walked along the sidewalk for several blocks while looking for a coke and water to take to the beach.

There were hammocks across many trees and a lot of shade options for the locals to enjoy their Sunday family picnics.

The gal in the last hammock was fast asleep.

It was beautiful how the trees created a pathway . Yes, that is a dog sleeping. Thai dogs are everywhere and not dangerous. They are very healthy looking but yet wild. It’s been interesting to witness how the community cares for them.

I’m not really sure why there is so much construction and unkept areas. I wonder if it’s still leftover from the Tsunami of 2004?

A view up to the business side of the street.

Along the sidewalk on the street side with the trees were many tourist pop up stands. After sitting for a couple minutes on my beach mat enjoying my soda in the blazing sun, I decided I HAD to swim but didn’t wear a swimsuit. So I wandered down this shopping mecca and purchased an ill fitting bikini just to get into the water! It was hilarious. Cost 10$ and the lady that sold it to me helped me out of my bra to manipulate getting the suit on without revealing any nudity. So kind. Many of the ladies at the stands would just look at my breast size and say “no” too big. Guess they weren’t about to try to get me to squeeze into anything.

The water color was a gorgeous clear green color.

At about 4 pm the clouds starting kicking up. They were a bit threatening and blocking what would have been an excellent sunset view, but made for beautiful photos.

I will definitely make my way back here again.

I decided I should head out as I knew these clouds were going to drop some rain.

This photo I did manipulate in color but I wanted to capture the beauty.

The villas up on the hill would be a perfect place to retreat.

Just a boy on a swing. Such simplistic beauty.

The last shot I took before I headed out. I ended up driving into the storm, complete with lightning and thunder, wind giving me some challenges but thank God I’m a heavy one. Pulled over and put on my plastic poncho and made it home wet but safe.

Tonya’s Tri Trang Love

I’ve been away from the blog, busy working with students during random hours of the day and finalizing a design project prior to my trip to The States next week. I am counting the days!! Unfortunately I am only there for a few short weeks and am prioritizing time with my daughters and Justin mostly. Please don’t be offended if I cannot squeeze in time to see you- doesn’t mean I love you any less. 🙂

Looking out my window today the sky was blue and I couldn’t resist putting on my swimsuit and heading to a beach. After all, I had a 5 hour break in between students and needed to make the best of this no rain day. Where to go, where to go? I wanted to head up north and visit a beach I hadn’t gotten to yet, but then remembered it was low season and I really wanted to swim.

I headed to Tri Trang Beach, which tends to temp me its way every time with its desolate beach and swimmable waters. It’s never busy, the water is crystal clear, and there’s plenty of shade.

Unfortunately, as I was trekking down the trail to get the to beach today, I witnessed massive construction. I have a very bad feeling that this new resort going up is going to take over the trail and turn it into private property. There will no longer be public access to this gorgeous beach. My hope is that it doesn’t close off before my daughters come to visit in December!

The current entrance to the beach. The colors were beautiful today.

You can see the rocks under the clear water. Within the two hours I was there, those rocks all surfaced and a few people were walking on them, going out very far into the sea. I did not have the right shoes on today or I would’ve done the same.

These string like circles were everywhere in the sand under the water. No clue what they were. Some form of crab poop? Anyone know?

I decided to test out this lunch spot. Not the best, but had excellent views.

The colors I hope I never stop appreciating.

I really wish I understood the tides. Why they come and go and how to know the best time to go to each beach. Previously I had been to this same beach if you recall when the water was so high there was barely a spot to sit down and keep dry. It was the same timing as today, and now is the exact opposite scenario. Science. I never did have a grasp of it.

I saw what I thought was an expat couple taking their scooter up a road that I had never been. On my drive home I decided to turn up this road to see what there was to see. Poor Tia could not make it up the steep incline and I had to stop. I tried to turn her around but scarily she was slipping backwards. I finally figured out how to gun it and turn to face downward, only sacrificing a toe in the maneuver. A gentle reminder of how easily your skin will tear should I ever fall over on a scooter ride. But look at this view!!! It was amazing.

Another shot from the steep incline a little further down. I wish the photo turned out more clearly. I was bracing my legs to keep Tia from continuing down the hill while clutching onto one brake firmly using the other hand to dig for my phone to snap this photo. At one point while juggling this scene, I was laughing at myself at how I was determined to snap a shot, knowing I would never drive Tia up there again.

The Joy of the Andaman Sea

Yesterday I headed to Kata Beach to meet up again with Reeki and his family. It was raining for half the day, so it was nice to escape, even though it was still cloud covered. I forgot how much I loved swimming in the ocean. Diving into the waves, floating in between and getting plowed over by the big ones that unexpectedly creep up on you in the middle of conversation. It was fun to be out there again in nature. Not just listening and gazing out into it, but literally being in the midst of it’s power, strength, and beauty. A reminder of how little we are and lucky to be existing as part of this natural world.

At Kata, there were a ton of surfers out enjoying the low season. I am still tempted to give it a try and just might head back next week to see how difficult it really is.

The locals were having a blast and had total control of their boards.

I loved this shot seeing them all just waiting. The guy on the right was literally napping.

Cutie pie family!! Had such a blast just being with them.

After the beach we went to the pool which was a calming transition. Eyana is a little mermaid who would spend her days in water if given the chance.

Low season at the resorts– empty and half the price!

View of one of the pool and the city below.

One of my Cambly students today rightfully reminded me to not work too hard and remember what I came here for. She’s right- so much to explore and so little time on Earth to do it in. I’m continually in awe of the conversations I have with my students who teach me much more than I do them! (don’ t tell Camby 🙂 because the paycheck does help in my explorations!)

Crazy Patong in the Daylight

I set up a meeting in Patong with an expat resource I found on Facebook. I felt it was worth a try to see if they could take the pain of immigration off my back. I questioned the legitimacy of it all, but nonetheless went to discuss the possibility with them. I met Rabia, a high fashion, tattooed, cross wearing young lady and her coworker named Ya.

Rabia claimed I would not have to get a bank account or health insurance to renew my visa. That if I hired her, she only needed my photo documents to get a renewal . She said if I try to do all of it myself, I will never get past Thai immigration. She agreed I could go back to NYC but would still need all the paperwork including health form, background check etc. She needed….nothing. She even asked me why I don’t just get a work visa. I told her because I don’t have a job. She said if I changed my mind, she could get me one next year and that visa type would last longer. All seems very…….suspicious. But I honestly don’t care if she can actually do it. Now I just need her price.

I asked her about the TM30 and TM28 forms. She didn’t seem concerned. I honestly am not sure how much she really knows about all the regulation changes. I guess all I should care about is if she has connections and how much those connections will cost.

I decided since Tia and I were already on that side of the island, I may as well make the best of it and rent a beach chair and soak in some sun. I am getting too cocky with the past cloud coverage and today got burnt big time. I need a hat and sunscreen now permanently in my bag at all times!

My view. Blue skies, not a cloud in sight today. Guess the rainy season may be behind us?

I watched the waves shimmering in the sunlight for quite some time, wondering if I would ever take it for granted and not appreciate the absolute beauty of it all.

Red flags as far as you can see. I read in their newspaper that one Chinese tourist, 36 drowned when swept off a rock by a wave. Another Philippino tourist was pulled from this beach yesterday. Definitely not just a fake warning.

They are doing a lot of construction on this part of the beach and roads.
Should be beautiful come high season.

This is the furthest north part of Patong Beach, it starts to get rocky.

Soaking in the solitude as the sun started to fade.

Patong during the day is not half as crazy as at night. I shopped a bit and purchased a pair of converse shoes for 10$ which I was happy with. I love how the Thai people always joke about things. Price said 300 bht and then when I went to pay him he said 500 bht. I tilted my head and he started laughing. They honestly never take their jobs or life too seriously. Such a refreshing approach.

Karon for Knauss

My childhood friend Debbie has been a pillar of encouragement for me over here. As I sit here and eat my potato chips longing for her sour cream dill dip to accompany them, I thought I would credit her for this post.

I have a tendency to be emotionally effected by weather and I thought Phuket’s rainy season was a joke. I personally love the empty beaches and just the occasional shower. Then it hit. Hard. Rain for days nonstop. I didn’t leave the condo for 3 solid days. Am very pleased that they installed a new 7/11 vending machine…..now if only it had beer!

Debbie’s daily Marco Polo video messages to me not only crack me up, but also encourage me when she sees I’m not myself. She may not even know she does it, but it comes naturally in her sarcastic humor where all she wants is money, to eat what she wants and to be thin. I mean, who doesn’t?! (I hope she doesn’t mind my sharing that….because I agree!) Well recently she scolded me to get out. And I know she is right. I sink in rabbit holes of self absorbed thinking when I don’t get out and explore this beautiful island I landed on. So this post is for her! My thanks for always being there for me!

Traveled on Tia for 35 minutes to my old stomping grounds of Karon Beach.

It had been pouring all night and the rain stopped at about 2. I have never seen the waves so treacherous!!!

But the tourists were still tempting their fate.

A local Thai holding onto the danger no swimming flag as he mystifyingly looks at the crowd swimming.

The parasail guys were getting a work out just trying to hold on to their chutes.

Check out the bamboo flag pole. True Thai!!

The reason I chose to come here was for a 4.5 rated restaurant. It did not disappoint! After sitting and listening to a podcast while watching the waves crash, I went across the street to get a back massage to ease the pain from working at a computer last week. (I’m so spoiled!) Reality is it was only 15$ so why not?

It helped kill time before I tackled dinner with a Maitai.

After dinner and a massage it was now time to catch the sunset! I was so excited. The shots were gorgeous even though the clouds blocked the final setting.