-- From Ko Lanta to Phuket
The road tracklog
from Ko Lanta to Phuket
from 22/09 to 28/09/2008
Tsunami
December 26, 2004 a magnitude of 9.3 on the scale of Richter earthquake, the second largest
in recorded history, occurred on Indian ocean floor in the North-West of
Sumatra. Along the Adaman coasts Tsunami waves broke on the six provinces
reaching a maximum height of 15 meters causing the death of approximately 8000
people as well local as tourists.
At that time no prediction system didn't exist in the area as in California and in
Japan. Thailand installed such a system. Some informative panels indicate
to the population evacuation roads to reach no hazard zones
as well as galvanized steel pylons capped with powerful loudspeakers inform
it in the event of hazard. Villages like Krabi
and Ao Nang were rebuilt and are modern balneal cities.
Ko Lanta
the 22/09/2008
Ao Nang
the 24/09/2008
Leam Sak
the 262/09/2008
From Ko Lanta heading to Krabi I visited the monastery of the Tiger Cave, Wat Tham Seua, built at the foot of a 600-meter high limestone hill. It owes its fame by Ajahn Jamnien who taught Vipassana. Close to the statue of GuanYin, Bodhisattva of the mercy, a staircase crosses a pass and goes to a valley populated with thousand-year-old trees getting freshness suitable for contemplative and meditative life of monks living in caves and huts.
Wat Tham seua
the 23/09/2008
Wat Tham Seua
the 23/03/02/2008
From Krabi I drove to Ao Nam Mao to contemplate the announced landscape, “Scenic View”. Charmed I bivouacked there. The following day I continued my wandering on the coast and I stopped 12 kilometres far away in Hat Noppharat Thara where I remained three days.
Ao Nang Promenade
the 24/09/2008
Hat Noppharat Thara
the 23/09/2008
On September 26 the day on the move was short, I stopped at edge of sea in Leam Sak close to a seafood restaurant. It is a very nice fishermen town. I bivouacked on the spot.
Leam sak
the 26/09/2008
Since Krabi I cruised among dramatic karstic landscapes recalling those in Guilin, China and those in Bay of Halong, Vietnam. I bivouacked in Phang Nga Bay close to the eponym resorts.
En route
the 27/09/2008
Finally the 28/09 I reached the Island of Phuket in middle of morning. The old eponym city is worth a visit to admire Sino-Portuguese architecture of its prestigious past. I strolled streets of the old quarter under a threatening sky. The building of the Standard Chartered Bank is one of oldest with houses in Phang-Nga Street.
Standard Chartered Bank
Phuket
the 28/09/2008
Phang-Nga Street
Phuket
the 28/09/2008
Ranong Street was blocked because of the Vegetarian Festival in Jui Tui Tao Bo Keang Chinese Temple. Devotees covered a lengthened tree with gold sheets which will be then drawn up at the end of the day. Vegetarian Festival lasted nine days during which devotees wore white clothes to conserve their virtue.
Jui Tui Tao Bo Keang
Phuket
the 28/09/2008
Jui Tui Tao Bo Keang
Phuket
the 28/09/2008
After a detour at Tesco Lotus I moved towards Karon Beach under a driving rain to find the bivouac. If the weather will be good I will stay a few days at Karon beach.
