Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2016 | Page 53

Holiday scene

Our very first “taste” of
Thailand was to visit the holiday
island destination of Phuket
some twenty years ago.

By Terry
Willey

appreciable boat ride away. By the third century AD it is thought
that Tamils from South East India settled nearby at Takua, Pha
and Trang trading in spices and other commodities. You just
have to explore this wonderful location and it was not long
before we had booked several excursions to visit such caves
and with the emphasis of our tours being by boat. The people
are welcoming and surprisingly speak good English. Chinese
Temples are in abundance both around the main capital of
Phuket Town with many Buddha images can be seen and most
flecked in gold leaf. The Temples are impressive and well worth
a visit.

Our visit coincided with the Turtle Release Festival, which
is a very auspicious day when young turtles are released into
the sea at the well known Nai Yang beach. The festival begins
very early in the morning with alms being offered to Monks
accompanied by music, dance and food. To see the turtles
make their way to the sea was both moving and dramatic.
There is a clear sense of joy among the people as they celebrate
the start of a new life for these lovely creatures.
Our first excursion took us to the Island situated in Phang
– Nga Bay which is situated some forty-seven miles north of
Phuket. We were fortunate the weather was clear and bright
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