U Sunsuri ~ 5-Star Fun in Southern Phuket

Overlooking the grounds of the U Sunsuri resort in Phuket

In May of 2014 I attended a media press junket which brought me down to the U Sunsuri 5-star resort in Southern Phuket. It was quite a fun little adventure, and the hotel itself stays in my memory as a great getaway, even if it isn’t on one of Phuket’s more well known beaches (it’s on Nai Harn beach FYI). And as a beach lover myself, who likes to be right by the shore, I have to add that the beach is actually about 300 m. away — just a short walk down the road. The resort itself is built on a hillside overlooking the beach, and being up on the hillside gives this property magnificent views of the ocean, as well as the surrounding landscape, so that’s a nice trade off for having no “direct” beach access.

Wat Arun ~ Temple of The Dawn

Amazing porcelain sculpture work decorating pretty much every inch of Wat Arun

One of the most interesting temples in downtown Bangkok is Wat Arun, also known as the “Temple of The Dawn“. It’s currently under extensive renovation (August, 2015), so unfortunately anyone visiting the city at present won’t get a proper idea of just how visually stunning this landmark is. I first visited Wat Arun back in May of 2011, and since I took a thousand and one photos I figured why not post them now, and let people know what lurks beneath all that renovation scaffolding.

Muslim Homestay ~ Koh Yao Noi

My homestay cabin, the one on the right

While visiting the island of Koh Yao Noi back in January of 2012, I found accommodation in a Muslim homestay. I had read about this project in my Lonely Planet guide book, so i decided to give it a try. I also pitched it a s a story for a local Thai travel magazine (now defunct), and although I wrote the article, it was never published nor was I ever paid for it. C’est la vie!

Koh Yao Noi ~ Undiscovered Island Gem

Enjoying the slow life on the island of Koh Yao Noi

Sandwiched between Phuket island and Krabi Town lies the small island of Koh Yao Noi. I spent a week here back in January of 2012, and I loved the underdeveloped nature of the place. I can’t guarantee that it’s still a pristine, natural haven, but here’s hoping. My accommodation during this trip was in a small Muslim homestay that I had read about in my Lonely Planet guidebook.

Phi Phi Islands ~ Unspoiled Beauty Spoiled

The crowds at Koh Phi Phi Leh, where the movie The Beach was filmed. Overload!…

The islands collectively known as Phi Phi are as beautiful as you’d expect if you’ve seen photos of them in brochures and travel guides. It’s just that the crowds that flock to these islands day after day after day are what makes all this unspoiled beauty rather spoiled. The islands — there are several — are part of Thailand’s Krabi province. Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest and most populated, although the beaches of the second largest island, Koh Phi Phi Leh, are visited by loads of tourists as well.

Ayutthaya ~ Ancient Capital of Siam

Tall spire, one of the ancient ruins at the Ayutthaya historical park

Ayutthaya, located just 80 km north of Bangkok, was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. It was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese, Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spaniards, Dutch, and French. Starting in the middle of 16th century, the kingdom came under repeated attacks by the Taungoo Dynasty of Burma.

Koh Rok Nok & Koh Rok Nai ~ Koh Lanta

There are several beautiful islands to be found off the coast of Koh Lanta, inlcuding Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai

If you find yourself in Koh Lanta and you want to do some island sightseeing, then head to Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai — the 2 small white sand uninhabited pleasure-seeker islands just about a 45 minute boat ride from Koh Lanta. There are lots of organized speedboat tours going to these 2 islands every day, which is exactly how we got there. These two islands, which are also part of a National Park area, are pristine (to say the least).

Twin Lotus Resort & Spa ~ Koh Lanta

Garden Villa suite (2nd level)

Situated on 12 acres of landscaped gardens, The Twin Lotus Resort & Spa sits on a 3 km stretch of white sand beach in the Klong Dao section of Koh Lanta (the northwest end of the island). I stayed there in April of 2014 and I loved it. The resort offers Deluxe Rooms, Garden Villas, Seaview rooms and Beachfront Villas, as well as an open-air reception lobby, a full-service spa, fitness center, 2 restaurants, 2 swimming pools, and a beach bar. There are 74 rooms and villas in total.

Koh Lanta ~ Great Island Getaway

Sunset on Koh Lanta, as seen through a veil of Screw Pine leaves.

I had heard mixed review about Koh Lanta before I went there in April of 2014, with some people saying it has become too commercialized while others said it was still an island paradise. But after my own visit I can safely say that in my opinion it is still a perfect spot for travellers looking for an idyllic beach vacation with a dash of “intact” local culture on the side. The island is developed enough to allow for all levels of tourism — from 4-star folk to backpackers — but it’s not bursting at the seams with crass tourists and tacky attractions like you find on so many other big beach islands in Thailand.

Deevana Plaza Krabi ~ Ao Nang

My Deluxe Pool Access room at the Deevana Plaza Krabi

I quite like the Thai province known as Krabi, and one recommended place here is the Deevana Plaza Krabi. It’s not right ON the beach but the walk to the beach is pretty painless. The resort itself is quite nice, as are the staff, however the street the resort is located on is a bit ramshackle (and undergoing some construction the last time I was there). During my recent trip (July 2015) I stayed in one of their 34 sq.m Premier Pool Access rooms, and it was quite elegant. And, as the name implies, it gives you pool access right from the room’s patio area, which is something i love. There are 213 stylish rooms and suites in all at the resort, each with a private balcony.