Thailand 2012 – Phuket - Day 9

The weather was a little questionable when we went to breakfast so we decided to try a beach, but a close one in case we had to turn back due to the weather. We went to Yanui Beach which is about 15 mins away. The trip there turned into an area where we all wondered where we were being taken at one stage but at the end of that lonely road lined with farms we emerged at one of the most stunning beaches ever. It's small, it's unknown, there were only about another 40 people there, it was magical.

Some more observations

·         We're still yet to meet a Thai person that isn't trustworthy or a thorough delight. Taxi drivers will happily take you where you need to go, not accept 50% payment, patiently wait for you while you take your sweet time, then return you and only then take payment at the end of the trip.

·         We should have listened to those who said to hire a car/bikes. The hire cost is the equivalent of one taxi half hour two way trip.

·         The culture is very family and community oriented. For example, in restaurants they split tips evenly. We have a favorite taxi driver but there's no point trying to get him exclusively as about 5 drivers work each 'rank'. It's all even Stevens so you get who's ever turn it is.

·         The locals really hate crime - especially after there was a stabbing here recently. The community feel they can't do enough for Michelle Smiths family - offering free accommodation etc. The stabbing was just in front of a lookout we were at the other night near a high-star resort vs some seedy end of town