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exploring taste—santa margherita gruppo vinicolo places—phuket, the glowing island

City Guide 3. KHAO LAK
Similan Islands: 8°39′09′N 97°38′27′E
Phuket
photography MADAREE TOHLALA/AFP/Getty Images Phuket, are renowned for their luxurious and 5. THAI HUA MUSEUM
The Similan islands, 84 kilometers northwest of

breathtaking landscapes. This is a top destination
for scuba lovers, thanks to the crystalline waters
and a rich coral reef to explore and discover. The
uncontaminated feel of the area is immediate-
Tambon Talat Nua, Muang District, Phuket
ly detectable, due to the large patches of woods

squirrels and many different species of birds.
and the Thai Hua Museum is an exhibit of the
• www.phuket.com
1. 2. photography Taylor Weidman/Getty Images 1. LEMONGRASS HOUSE and rich selection of wildlife including monkeys, There’s a strong Chinese community in Phuket
Tambon Cherngtalay, Amphoe Thalang, Phuket
Chinese migrations that began at the start of the
eighteenth century, testifying their economic and
A shop cut out of a yellow container, specialized cultural impact on the area. The building, built in
in natural beauty essentials: oils, soaps, and per- 1943, is home to 13 exhibition rooms on two lev-
fumes. This place is a must for wellness lovers. els. The museum displays photographs and orig-
Lemongrass House was opened in Phuket by Bob- inal materials documenting the true feel of the
by Duchowny once the same store had succeeded time, providing more knowledge also on some
in Bangkok. There are about 1,200 products manu- more obscure aspects of the Chinese community
factured at Lemongrass, all made on the island and in Thailand, for example organized crime.
highly respectful of the environment. • www.thaihuamuseum.com
• www.lemongrasshousethailand.com

photography Mathias Krumbholz

more the lantern moves away from the shore, the more people will be lucky. sundown, next to the water banks, there are plenty of stands selling lanterns
Whereas, if the krathong doesn’t go much further or falls upside down imme- made of banana bark and leaves. There are also some varieties of krathong 4. RAWAI
diately, people will see it as a sign of bad luck. made of bread dough; a key feature is that the material of the lantern must Tambon Rawai, Amphoe Mueang, Phuket
The use of candles is due to the strong Buddhist implication of this celebra- be biodegradable. Everyone can take part in this ancient and beloved cele-
tion, as they represent the light to venerate Buddha. Moreover, while plung- bration, schools close in the entire country so that every family member can On the southern border of the island, the village of
ing the lantern into the water, Thais usually recite a simple prayer to express express their wishes. The occasion is particularly special for lovers as it is a Rawai stands out as one of the most dynamic artis- 6. WAT CHALONG TEMPLES
certain wishes. It is said that Loy Krathong was originally held in Sukhothai common belief that when two krathongs placed inside the water by a cou- tic locations of the area. Far from the tourist routes Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
(north of Bangkok) when the city was at its peak. According to one interpre- ple follow the same current, the couple will have a bright and happy future. and populated by the Chao Leh, the so – called sea
tation, the feast was established as homage to a water goddess called Phra Over the years, Loy Krathong has become a huge gathering and party. This 2. BANANA ROCK BEACH gypsies, peaceful Rawai has become an open gal- Built at the beginning of the nineteenth centu-
Mae Khongkha to thank her for the abundant rivers. The most ancient testi- is confirmed by the numerous events surrounding the official celebrations, Coral island, Tambon Rawai, Phuket lery for local artists. First came the Red Gallery ry, Wat Chalong is the biggest Buddhist temple
monies of Loy Krathong date back to the thirteenth century. The celebration not necessarily belonging to the Thai tradition, such as concerts, beauty pag- requested by Somrak Maneemai, then the others out of twenty-nine in Phuket. Eight kilometers
was called Pa Chong Riang and was created to venerate Hindu gods Vishnu, eants and firework shows. Heaven is a place on Earth. White sandy beaches, followed suit: check the Tawan Ook Arty Gallery, away from the city center, the temple is one of
Shiva and Brahma. The Buddhist imprint on the feast became more and more Phuket – the biggest island in Thailand with superfine beaches ranking among palm trees and crystal clear waters. Its likeness to Love Arts Studio and the Rak Lay Gallery. the most popular local tourists attractions. As of
marked over the years. There is also a variant of Loy Krathong called Yi Peng. the best in the country – is of course at the forefront in Loy Krathong cele- Eden is confirmed by its remote location as the today, Wat Chalong is still dedicated to monks
In this case, lanterns are not plunged into the water but are set loose into the brations. Two hot spots are the beaches of Nai Harna and Patong, with their beach is populated by hardcore connoisseurs of the Kuang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang that
sky, although the ritual and its meaning are the same. famous clubs Kata and Karon. In Pukhet Town, the most crowded area of the area and is mostly empty. Banana Rock Beach is helped the injured during the Chinese rebellion
The charm of Loy Krathong is evident, an many tourists are enchanted by island, the parks stay open all night long – Saphan Jin Park and Suan Luang near Trisara, between the beaches of Bang Tao and of 1876. The temple, which hosts a gold embel-
the magnetism and the suggestive location of the event every year. Before Rama IX Park being the busiest places to celebrate the event. Nai Thon. The suggestive scenery, imbued with lished statue with stylized images of Buddha on
calm and tranquility, is a reward for those who are top of it, is surrounded by a series of impeccable
1. – 2. capable of finding it. Food isn’t a problem as there’s gardens. On one of the chedis sheltering the ves-
Before lighting the candle in the basket and releasing it into
the water, it is custom to pray for forgiveness, with the hope a fish restaurant open all week long. tiges, there are fragments of Buddha’s bones.
that ones troubles will float away with the krathong • www.bananabeachkohhey.com • www.wat-chalong-phuket.com

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