andaman sea

To Thailand's southern Andaman coast, where the huge bay between Phuket and Krabi is studded with limestone isalnds similar to Halong Bay. But the lush tropical vegetation and the blu crystal sea make it seem even better.
To stroll along the powder white sand and watch another spectacular sunset is perhaps what this holiday was always about - pure pleasure of the senses and total relaxation.
I stayed in a little 'resort' consisting of eight bungalows hidden down a dirt track, built by the owners, a French and Thai couple, They are nicely fitted out, grouped around a pleasant pool and set up just above their own stretch of beach.
Just along the beach is a little beach bar to which you can stroll for an aperitif and a game of pool. Meanwhile Olivier's mum, who stays there every winter for a few months, has whipped up with the local staff a delicious French-Thai meal, which all the guests and Olivier and his mum eat around a big table under the stars. The conversation drifts on in a complex mixture of English, French and Thai, and before long it's midnight and time for bed.

Olivier has his own long-tail boat and one of the staff takes guests out to the islands that stud the bay. One of them, probably, you feel, could be The Island. In fact one of them has an almost completely hidden lagoon, though it's far from secret. But it's a great place to jump off the boat and wallow in the warm water as kingfishers dart past and brown sea eagles swoop around the cliffs.
Later we picnic on the beach of another small island, shaded by coconut plams and tall, cool cliffs as the water laps against our feet. Fish swarm in the water and come to nibble bread from your hands.
Olivier is a great guy and has worked hard to get the place into shape, with more work planned - a beach restaurant is nearly finished and an open covered reception area is started. He is very content with his lifestyle and as lifestyle choices go, I have to say that it seems an increasingly good one. I ask Olivier about the empty plot next to his. It's up for sale...
I briefly visited some of the more conventional full scale resorts in the area. Phuket is now fully restored after the tsunami - there is almost no sign that anything happened, and the place is fully booked.