Nai Yang Beach, Phuket, Thailand 2

Being only a stones throw from my house, I often go to Nai Yang on my day off. It's such a lovely place to relax and listen to the waves.

Coral on driftwood

The crabs roll intricate patterns of sand balls. I thought some time ago that they were eggs, but I have been told otherwise by a man in the know. Cool all the same.

God, he said quietly. Isn't the sea what Algy calls it: a grey sweet mother? The snotgreen sea. The scrotumtightening sea. (Ulysses - Joyce)

You could catch some tasty dinner in one of those babies.

Mai Khao Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Just a short dander from the bridge which links Phuket and the mainland is Mai Khao beach. It's an unspoilt, skinny stretch of sand that is a nice place to stop and eat as the beach side restaurants here are really tasty. So, if you are leaving Phuket by land, stop and have some spicy prawn soup and breath in the goodness.

Nai Yang Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Nai Yang beach is tucked away in the north west corner of Phuket only a stones throw from the airport. Around half of the beach is fringed by Sirinath National Park which also includes the reef at the north end of the beach. As a consequence there are no shops of any description giving the place a relaxed old fashioned feel. The beach is great for those who like a walk as its golden sands stretch for miles, but unfortunately it is not a place for swimming. The rip tides here are lethal. Sadly many people ignore the red warning flags and perish. Relax, have a beer and relax is my advice.

Here's where Nai Yang is on a map of Phuket:

Being the tail end of the monsoon here in Phuket today, the weather wasn't perfect; however, I took some shots to give you an idea what the place is like.

You can see a plane taking off from the airport, which is meters from the north end of the beach.

A pair of pants stretched over a coat-hanger and placed inside a tire. Why not, I say.