Vacation in Rawai, Phuket.

Way before Pattaya and Koh Samuii became famous, one of the best places to visit in Thailand was Phuket. Located on the southern tip of Thailand. Phuket was once home to celebs from all over the world because of is pristine blue waters, soft sandy beaches, tropical weather and warm waters of the Andaman sea- it is the closest thing to paradise- serene, beautiful and stunning sunsets. Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and is connected to the southern tip of Phang Nga Province by a narrow road bridge. However, another small island that is not far from the southern tip of phuket is Rawai. This hidden gem is only known to a few people chiefly because of its location. Unlike phuket, few people come here to Rawai but it has stunning scenery that rivals almost any place in Asia. Tourists come here to experience Thai culture, relax, enjoy the tropical weather and watch the costal palm trees gently swaying in the wind- it is place of serenity and solitude. Coming to Rawai is like going to one of the small islands in the Caribbean where there are no crowds and you have the island to yourself. To get to Rawai, one has to take a ferry or a boat from phuket. This sea front town is divided into two segments; the northern part with its partially developed beaches and the southern part, which is more urbanized and has a fishing port. Getting there To get to Rawai, one first needs to get to Phuket. Small boats and ferries make the 30 min trip and charge about $2. Most tourists first fly into Bangkok and take the 60 mi trip to phuket by the local airlines. One can take a train or the bus to phuket but it is a long trip. Getting around Rawai may be a small island but the terrain is uneven and everything is spread out. So one should try and rent a motorbike which costs about $5-$8 a day. The good thing about Rawai is that there is little motor traffic and hence you will be safe. What to do Rawai is a place where most people come to relax and get away from the crowds. Some people just take it easy, get a tan and enjoy the evening and morning walks along the beach. The one place you should visit is the Phuket Sea Shell museum. The museum is strictly focussed on the exotic shells from the Andaman Sea. There are many exotic varies of shells here and some are very elegant. Entrance to the museum is $8 for adults. Unlike other places in Thailand, Rawai’s beach areas are heavily congested with boats and other small sailboats. Thus, this is not the place where you can swim but you can have the entire sandy beach and get a gorgeous tan. The northern part of rawii beach does allow for swimming in some areas but the south does not. Most people rent a boat and visit the nearby islands to catch the stunning scenery, go snorkeling and scuba diving. If you have time then perhaps a visit to the nearby islands of Ko Kaeo or Kon Bon which are worth a visit; about 30 minutes away the under water scenery is breathtaking and the beaches are immaculate. Go to Sea Gypsy village where there are many restaurants, nightclubs and bars. The nightlife is sedate compared to Bangkok but the view of the scenery is good enough for national geographic. Finally no one should leave this island without having spent an evening on Promthep Cape View Point, which is world famous for its splendid sunsets. Food Like most places in Thailand, you will not go hungry on Rawai. There are many food vendors, cafeterias and beach side restaurants. Food is relatively cheap and delicious. You can have a decent meal for less than $5 almost anywhere on the island. Some people go fishing/diving and bring their catch to the street vendors who cook up a great meal in the evening. Accommodation There are hostels for the budget traveler that cost anywhere from $12-$15 a room. In addition, there are some excellent villas and seaside hotels which cost about $50-$60 a night. You are unlikely to experience such views of the water in many other places on this planet. Today, one of the best ways to get cheap and great accommodation is via airbnb. Most airbnb rentals are cheaper than any hotel and are located along the beach. Cost varies from $30-$40. Final Word Over the past few years, phuket has earned a bad reputation because of crime, extreme congestion with tourists and being expensive. Thus, if you are looking for somewhere more quiet, peaceful, relatively cheap and just as beautiful, try Rawai island. This small island is fast becoming a popular destination for many people because of the scenery and its beauty. Best time to visit is from Feb to June, when the weather is not too hot or humid