Thailand… Is it possible to think of a place moresuitable for year-round recreation? Hardly. And this will be confirmed by any tourist who has visited this country of eternal summer at least once. Green forests, rich wildlife, mild climate, abundance of attractions, vibrant nightlife, shopping, spa and unobtrusive service. Too vague, you will say, and will demand proof. After all, the same is said daily about a thousand other resort places. Well then! It is worth saying three magic words, and even if you have never been to Thailand, this will become a weighty argument for you: Pattaya, Phuket and the Similan Islands.
In pursuit of a dream
About the Temple of Truth in Pattaya and about night clubsso much has been said and written about this island that it is easier to remain silent than to repeat once again the superlative adjectives that succinctly and truthfully characterize the level of comfort and relaxation that you will receive on the beaches and resorts of Pattaya. It is not worth mentioning Phuket. Every woman dreams of visiting a spa capsule at least once in her life, getting a full range of exotic massages and world-famous mysterious procedures that can restore youth and beauty. And this is by no means an advertising slogan, but the ultimate truth. There is no need to even mention the beauty and privacy of the white beaches. It is not for nothing that newlyweds choose Thailand, or rather its island part, for their honeymoon. Where else can you feel like the real Adam and Eve, strolling through the Gardens of Eden, if not here? And another important detail that makes Thailand a vacation spot, the most attractive for women of all ages - shopping. Round the clock and diverse. Starting from exotic souvenirs and ending with the latest collections of world-famous designers. After all these lists, it becomes clear that Thailand has all the qualities to become a vacationer's paradise. Not for everyone, you will say, meaning lovers of secluded recreation, and you will cite the oversaturation of beaches as an example. Still, you are not the only one who understands that Thailand is a tourist's dream, which means that there can be no talk of any privacy. Everything has long been explored by vacationers. Wherever you step, the benefits and achievements of civilization scream about themselves, you can only dream of untouched nature. Even run to the ends of the earth to discover another America for yourself. And again you will be wrong. Thailand is able to surprise you here too.
Every whim for your money
It is not for nothing that they say that Thailand is a place wherethe tourist business is put on stream. And any whim of a tourist is satisfied here, you just have to voice your desires. You will have the opportunity to see this for yourself if you choose to vacation on the Phuket Peninsula. The place, let's say right away, is not the most secluded, although very beautiful. But that's not why you came to Thailand. You want to be, if not Eve, then at least Robinson of our time. And you will have such an opportunity, you just need to go on an excursion to the Similan Islands, which are located on the very border between Thailand and Burma. True, you will have to sign up for this two-day excursion long before the start of the season. And it is by no means year-round on the Similan Islands. From November to May, eleven islands of the archipelago become inaccessible to tourists. Huge waves make a trip on a pleasure boat not only impossible, but also dangerous. So, the remaining time is scheduled by the hour. And if you do not take care of signing up in advance, you will lose a lot. Stories can be written about the beauty of the Similan Islands. That is what Jacques Yves Cousteau did when he chose the almost virgin underwater world of the National Reserve of Thailand to study.
Similan Islands: a journey into the wild
So, rent a tent, equipment fordiving, if that is why you are going to the National Park, and take a speedboat away from the comfort of your hotel room to a treasure trove of wild nature and a storehouse of true treasures, the Similan Islands. Just two hours by motorboat from the Phuket Peninsula is a place where your vacation turns into a real adventure on a desert island. And there is no exaggeration in these words. Of the eleven granite islands, only two are temporarily inhabited. Yes, temporarily. In order not to disturb the island's ecosystem, several bungalows were built on them, where you can dine and take a shower. But not for tourists, but for the caretakers of the reserve. And that's it. You will have to spend the night in a tent. After all, that is why you came here? You will not regret your choice for a moment. Eucalyptus groves make the air on the islands amazingly clean and fresh. You will be able to try the fruits of a real breadfruit tree, rattan. The melodic clatter of bamboo groves can plunge even Buddhist monks into a state of prostration, and an unaccustomed traveler realizes that the sounds of nature are the best music for an ear tormented by the noise of civilization. You instantly forget that another world exists on the Similan Islands. It is as if you cross an invisible line and find yourself in the middle of wild nature. Here, fish and animals are not afraid of people, and you can and should wander along the beach barefoot, without fear of stepping on garbage. And everyone will be forced to take off their shoes, such is the internal law of the reserve. A real pristine paradise! Palm forests, jungles and many monkeys, flying foxes and flying squirrels. By the way, valuable advice: if you are a light sleeper, it would be a good idea to take earplugs, since otherwise the volume of the sounds of wild nature cannot be reduced. Nicobar pigeons, which are found only here, fearlessly wander along the beach. Hairy land crabs, with their claws outstretched, hide in the grass near the paths. And rats are also full-fledged indigenous inhabitants of these islands, there is no need to be afraid of them, as they are part of the untouched ecosystem of the island. Walking through forests and jungles and watching wild gray monkeys are not all that is worth going to these islands for. A real fairy tale is hidden from you by the thickness of the water. So put on a suit and scuba gear - and go ahead, to conquer the coral forests and get acquainted with the underwater fauna of the Similan Nature Reserve!
Best Diving on the Planet
The underwater world, varied bottom relief andThe crystal clear water of the Andaman Sea has made this place a paradise not only for lovers of wild nature and those who prefer a Spartan holiday, but also the sweetest dream of divers from all over the world. It could not be otherwise. As soon as you dive into the water, you find yourself in another dimension, in another world, beautiful and fascinating. A world where human laws do not apply and where you can observe the natural course of life. Jellyfish hang in a solid cloud in the water, performing their intricate dance of death for the surrounding small fish and crabs. A pair of barracudas, not at all afraid of you, excitedly drive the fish, and a moray eel periodically appears from a coral grotto to grab another meal. Cuttlefish amusingly back away and sometimes allow themselves to be stroked. Although, if you make a sharp movement, then a charge of ink in the face, or rather - in the mask, is guaranteed. And of course, huge sea turtles. These clumsy creatures on land swim with enviable grace in transparent water. You can stroke their rough shell or hug them for a ride. In extreme cases, arrange a competition in high-speed underwater swimming. But do not forget to look around and be extremely careful, as there is wild nature around you and all sorts of surprises are possible that can somewhat spoil your vacation. The Similan Islands in the underwater part are eaten away by grottoes. If you have been diving for a long time, you can arrange a short trip through underwater caves. Fortunately, visibility here is excellent and additional lighting is not required. And coral reefs and underwater caves are a haven for a huge number of anemones and sponges. They dot the bottom with multi-colored spots, and the tentacles sometimes disappear, sometimes bloom, like fantastic flowers. Here you will be able to make one of the most colorful films, which you can proudly show to your friends and which will remind you of an exciting journey into an almost parallel world.
Stonehenge in Thai
In the Similan Nature Reserve you can seesomething reminiscent of the English Stonehenge. However, unlike the man-made landmark of Europe, these black stone blocks are of natural origin. At one time, during a volcanic eruption, they were thrown to the surface of the island, now they hang like a black shadow over the white sandy beaches. If you want, you can even climb them. However, it is best to do this in shoes. If the snow-white sand of the beaches hardly heats up, then the huge boulders, as if compensating for the coolness of the sand, heat up like frying pans. So take the shoes that were taken from you, without them you should only walk on the beach. Note that under each block there are twigs and branches stacked as supports. According to local belief, by propping up a stone, you help to keep it from falling, which means you yourself can count on help. Only nine hours of flight separates you from a real paradise on earth. If you decide to visit Thailand, do not miss the opportunity to go to the Similan Islands. There are not many places left on earth where a person can become a part of nature. Not a conqueror and subjugator, but a polite, inquisitive and welcome guest.
