A tidal island is a piece of land that is connected to the mainland at low tide, when it can be reached on foot. However, at high tide, it is completely cut off from the mainland and becomes a real island. The tidal islands are sometimes connected to the mainland by a man-made dam providing easy access to visitors wishing to enter the island, but even this can be flooded by the sea. So before you decide to visit the island, inquire about high tide times or prepare to swim back.
1. Mount St Michael, UK
Mount St. Michaelis is a tidal island located 366 meters off the coast of Mount 's Bay in Cornwall, UK This parish, connected to the city of Marazion by a man-made dam constructed of granite paving stones, is passable between mid tide and ebb tide. 
Chapel of st. Michael is a 15th century building with a battle tower, in one of the corners of which there is a small turret that served as a guide for ships. According to some reports, any rise in the water level in the world's oceans, as well as natural erosion, could threaten some of Cornwall's coasts, including Mount St. Michael.
2. Modo, South Korea
Modo Island is a small island in Jindo, South Jeolla province, South Korea located near the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is located southeast of Chindo Island and is 1.1 km long and 300 meters wide. 
The sea level change associated with high tide leads to a local phenomenon ("Miracle of Moses"), when a piece of land 2.9 km long and 10-40 meters wide opens for an hour between the islands of Modo and Chindo. This event occurs about twice a year, around April-June. The event has long been celebrated at the local Sea Way Jindo festival, but it was unknown to the world until 1975, when French ambassador Pierre Randi described the phenomenon in a French newspaper. Currently, about half a million foreign and local tourists visit this festival every year.
3. Newquay Island, UK
Newquay Island in Cornwall is connected to the mainland by a suspension bridge. In fact, a huge 21 meter high rocky outcropping seems to be an island only at high tide, but you can safely walk to it at low tide. The bridge, wide enough for a person to pass through, was built in 1900. Although not intended for people with acrophobia, this bridge is completely safe and is checked for damage every year. 
There is only one house on the tiny island, which acts like an expensive hotel offering bed and breakfast. The house is surrounded beautiful garden, which, in turn, is surrounded either by the sands of Newquay Beach, or by the sea - depending on the time of day.
4. Mont Saint Michel, France
Mont Saint Michel is a rocky, tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located about a kilometer from the north west coast country, at the mouth of the river Couesnon near the city of Avranches. As of 2009, the population of the island is 44 people. Since ancient times, there have been strategic fortifications on the island, and since the 8th century AD, this island has been home to a monastery, from which it took its name. Mont Saint Michel and the adjacent bay are included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. More than 3 million people visit it every year. 
Mont Saint-Michel was previously connected to the mainland through a tidal dam, that is, through a path hidden at high tide and open at low tide. However, today, this island is connected to the mainland by an easy suspension bridge which has been built over the past few years.
5. Haji Ali Mosque, India
The Haji Ali Mosque is a mosque and tomb located on an islet off the coast of Worli in southern Mumbai. Close to the heart of the city, the mosque is one of Mumbai's most recognizable landmarks. 
Access to the mosque is directly dependent on the ebb and flow of the tide. Since the dam is not connected by a railing, it becomes inaccessible during high tides. Thus, the mosque is only accessible at low tide. This walk along the dam, with the sea on either side, is one of the highlights of the trip to the shrine.
6. Bumpy Island, UK
Bumpy Island is a tidal island between Rough Firth and the Solway Firth, in Scotland. In the most high point, the height of the island is 24 meters. 
Since 1937, the island has been owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The island is a bird sanctuary accessible at low tide through the Kippford Dam, however access to the island is closed during May and June due to the nesting season of the Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover.
7. Eilean Donan Castle, UK
Eilen Donan is a small island in Loch Duich in western mountains Scotland. It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge and lies about half a mile from the village of Dornie. 
According to legend, Donan (Donnán) founded a church here, although this moment not a trace of it remained. There is a picturesque castle on the island, which is familiar to the world from many photographs. The castle was founded in the thirteenth century but was destroyed in the eighteenth century. The present building is the result of a 20th century renovation. 
Eilen Donan Castle is one of 40 properties National Reserve Kintail in Scotland. As of 2001, only 1 person lived on the island.
8. Mannø, Denmark
Mannø is one of the Danish islands of the Wadden Sea. It is on southwest coast Peninsula Jutland, Denmark in the Wadden Sea, which is part of the North Sea. The island covers an area of 7.63 square kilometers and has 62 inhabitants. It is located about 12 km southwest of ancient city Ribe. 
Manneu is difficult to reach at high tide only if you walk along the dirt surface of the dam, which is about four kilometers long and connects the island to the mainland. The island is surrounded by vast muddy and tidal bogs, which provide a fertile environment for birds to nest and other species to breed. In past centuries, a large earthen dam was built along the entire perimeter of the island, although it was significantly removed from coastline... This trick allowed for the usual agriculture in the form of growing cereals and grazing sheep.
9. Lindisfarne, UK
Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the north-east coast of England. It is also known as the Holy Island and is a parish in Northumberland. Most of the islands, and all adjacent intertidal areas, are protected as part of the Lindisfarne National Wildlife Refuge to help protect populations of wintering birds of international importance. 
Lindisfarne is popular place among tourists. Once on the island, cut off by the tide, tourists can experience it at rest, as most day trippers leave before high tide. At low tide, you can walk through the sands along the ancient route known as the Pilgrims' Way. This path is marked by pillars and provides refuge cabins for those who decide to leave the island too late.
10. Burg Island, UK
Burgh Island is a small tidal island off the coast of South Devon, England, near the small seaside village of Bigbury-on-Sea. There are several buildings on the island, the largest of which is the Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel. Other buildings include three private houses, the Pilchard Inn public house operated by the hotel. 
The island is located about 250m from the mainland in Bigburi-on-Sea and can be reached on foot at low tide. At high tide, the hotel's offshore tractor carries passengers back and forth. 
The first marine tractor was built in 1930, and the current third generation tractor was made in 1969. The tractor moves along the sandy bottom of the beach using wheels immersed in the water, while its driver and passengers sit on a high platform. Power from tractor engine The Fordson is driven to the wheels by hydraulic motors.
11. Crumond Island, UK
Cramond Island is one of several islands that lie in the Firth of Forth in eastern Scotland, near Edinburgh. Located about 1.6 km out to sea, the tidal island of Kramond only connects to the mainland at low tide. 
At low tide, a lined passageway appears, providing easy access to the island. On one side, this dam lies at the foot of a series of cement pillars that were built as a defensive rampart against submarines during World War II and which are one of the most striking landmarks in the area. 
At high tide, the path is blocked by several feet of seawater, which cuts the island off the mainland. At low tide, it is safe to walk to the island on the raised dam, but visitors should ensure that they have sufficient time to return to the mainland before the water rises.
12. Isle of Bar, USA
Bar Island is a tidal island opposite Bar Harbor in Mount Desert Island, Maine, USA. Uninhabited island covered with pine and birch forest and is part of the Acadia National Park. There are paths on the island. 
The sand and gravel bar only opens for a couple of hours at low tide, connecting Bar Island to Bridge Street in Bar Harbor. At low tide, visitors often walk or park their cars on the exposed sandbank. On the island's side, however, there is only a small area lined with dense sea rose bushes in front of the locked gate, which is high enough to provide safe parking. There were many cases when visitors returned from a hike and found their cars submerged under water, thus ending up imprisoned on the island until the next low tide.
13. Fort Lavoie, France
Fort Lavoie is a coastal fort built on a cliff between the islands of Oleron and Marene. It was built in 1691-1694. according to plans drawn up by Vauban, a renowned military engineer who served under Louis XIV. 
With a horseshoe-shaped outer wall and a central tower protected by a drawbridge and a moat, this fortress resembles medieval castle. 
Fort Lavoie was designed to defend the southern approaches to the Charente estuary by trapping enemy ships in a firefight from the citadel on Oleron. This prevented the enemy from sailing up the river to attack the naval shipyard at Rochefort. At low tide, the fort is connected to the mainland by a 400-meter dam.
14. Hillbre, UK
Hilbre Island is the largest of a group of three islands in the estuary of the Dee, which is part of the estuary of the Site of Special Scientific Interest. Since 2012, there are no permanent residents on the island. 
At low tide, this tidal island can be reached on foot from the mainland. V summer months this walk is one of the main attractions of tourists. The route from Red Rock to Hoylake was open until the late 1970s but has now been closed due to high tide hazards and visitors are advised to leave West Kirby. Neighboring islands Little Eye and Middle Eye are uninhabited, but there are several houses on Hilbre Island, some of which are privately owned. 
It rightfully ranks the most important place among other islands in Thailand. It is not only the largest Thai island, but also one of the smallest provinces (only Samut Songkhram is smaller). That is why it is not marked on the map with the word Koh, which means island. The province of Phuket includes the island of Phuket itself and 39 more surrounding islands and is equal in area to Singapore.
One of the versions of the formation of Phuket says that the island used to be part of the mainland and separated as a result of tectonic activity. Striking evidence of tectonic shifts is where 43 large and small islands are located.
Ancient map of Siam
The arrowheads that have been found by archaeologists in the Kamala region are over 3,000 years old, which means that Phuket was inhabited several millennia ago. Whether the descendants of the Stone Age people lived here, some of whom can still be seen (the Mani and Sakai peoples), is still unknown. They disappeared from the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. Other early inhabitants of Phuket are called sea gypsies (Moken and Cheo Le), who moved here from the Nicobar and Andaman Islands and still inhabit the coastal areas. They have their own language, culture and religion, different from the Thais.
Fountain in Phuket Town, 1920s
The first settlers may have been nomadic sailors, people from India and Burma at the beginning of the Iron Age. Even before our era, the island of Phuket became a convenient place for traders traveling from the Indian Peninsula to China. At that time Phuket was known under the names Manikram, which is translated from Tamil as “Crystal Mountain”, and Hai Leng from the Chinese “Sea Dragon of the Indian Ocean”. Claudius Ptolemy, in his Geography, compiled in the 2nd century AD, mentions a port in the west of the Malacca Peninsula called Takola, referring to present-day Phuket. But now this fact is more and more refuted, moving the port to the north to the mainland, to the region of Phang Nga province.
Yaowarat street in the 20s
Phuket Island, although it was not big city The Great Silk Road, merchant ships from Persia, Sri Lanka, Arabia, India, Burma, China and Siam entered the port, which could not but affect the life of the island. Immigrants began to appear: Malays, Indians, Siamese, who brought their culture, religion and traditions. But until the 16th century, the island of Phuket, like the entire coast of the Andaman Sea, was attacked by pirates. It was only when the ancient Thai state of Ayutthaya fought with Malacca for control of the strait and trade routes, and the Portuguese colonists moved a little further east, that Phuket appeared in the first international written sources under the name Jank Ceylon. And the Siamese records of the time of King Naraya said about the island of Muang Thalang or Thalang Bangkhli. Thus, you understand that Phuket had many names, which are reflected in the name of the Thalang island region and the name. Most probable version the origin of the name Phuket is from the Malay word Bukit, which translates as “hill, mountain”. The island was first called so during the reign of Rama V. And in 1967 the name was officially changed to Phuket.
Thalang street in the 20s
In the XIV century, tin deposits were discovered in Phuket, and Europeans began to flock here: the Portuguese, French, British and Danes, who at first were limited in access to the mines. The period of the "tin boom" fell on the 19th century, and at the end of the century the island of Phuket became the second most developed city in Siam, second only to Bangkok. Thousands of ambitious Chinese workers flocked to Phuket to work in the mines of European owners or to serve with foreigners. The Chinese brought with them traditional culture, religion and cuisine. New settlers intermarried with local residents and created special culture, called "baba-yaya". Ethnic composition the island changed, Chinese settlers occupied the middle of the island, pushing the Muslim inhabitants to the coast and north. The Portuguese, by order of the governor, could get full ownership of the mine if they build a street in modern Phuket town, so Montri, Dibuk and others appeared. Over time, many Chinese workers and merchants grew rich and built mansions for their families. In 1830, British ambassador John Crawford wrote about the new settlers: "The Chinese are the most valuable product brought to Siam from China." The influence of the Sino-Portuguese style can be fully felt as you stroll through the narrow streets of old Phuket Town.
The most important event on Phuket Island is the attack of the Burmese in 1785 and the feat of the heroine sisters. At that difficult time, most of the men left the island to participate in hostilities on the mainland. The governor's wife, Chan (her name is also pronounced Jan), mourned her untimely deceased husband when news of the impending Burmese attack came to her. Then the brave Chan, with the support of her younger sister Muk, gathered all the women, shaved their heads bald and dressed them in men's clothes. With fake palm-leaf weapons, everyone lined up on the rampart blocking the entrance to Phuket. The Burmese besieged Ford for about a month, but then retreated. King Rama I, having learned of such a feat, conferred the title of Thao Thep Kasatri Chan and the title of Thao Si Sunthon on her sister Muk. One of the main streets of Phuket Island is now named Thep Kasatri in honor of Chan, a monument to two sisters-heroines is erected on it, and nearby is the Si Sunthon temple in honor of Muk. Every year on March 13, the holiday of Heroines is celebrated, and the Thais, passing by the monument, always greet the sisters.
Monument to the heroine sisters in the 50s
In parallel with tin mining, other industries developed in Phuket: growing hevea tree, shrimp and fishing. These industries were mainly occupied by Siamese and Malays. Rubber trees appeared on the island at the beginning of the 20th century thanks to the governor of the province of Trang Phraya Ratsada. At that time, rubber plantations occupied 40% of the entire vegetation of the island, and today they have decreased to only 30%.
Tin mines in the 1920s
In the 20th century, tin mines were depleted, and the value of tin on the world market dropped altogether. During the Japanese occupation, trade and business in the country declined, and several Chinese families stayed afloat in Phuket. Thanks to their hard work and skills, Phuket Island has been revived. In today's society, many influential people are of Chinese origin. For example, one of the descendants of Chinese immigrants has become the current governor of Phuket.
Ferry from Phuket to the mainland, 1952
By the 80s, it was impossible not to assess the environmental damage from by-products of tin processing, then locals staged massive actions against the construction of new factories. In 1992, the last tin mine was closed. Paradoxically, tin mining laid the foundation for tourism. On the site of the tin mines golf courses were built and famous. However, there are almost no natural lakes in Phuket, all reservoirs were formed as a result of tin mining.
A family of Chinese immigrants in national clothes in the 20s
The first small tourists began to appear in Phuket at the beginning of the 20th century. John Carrington wrote about Phuket in 1906: "One of the most beautiful and charming places in the world." As with most Asian resorts, mass tourism in Phuket was founded by hippies in the 70s. In 1967, the Sarasin Bridge was built, linking Phuket to the mainland, and in 1976 it was officially opened, allowing American soldiers, and then American tourists, to easily reach paradise island on vacation.
Sarasin Bridge in the 70s
In 1976, the first hotel in Phuket was built - Impiana Resort in Patong. At that time, the most developed beach now looked like a small village with bamboo huts, dusty road and absolutely wild beach. Pass from Patong to Karon was quite dangerous due to landslides and that which carried the clay road in the rains. Over time, asphalt was paved, traffic lights installed, more hotels were built, shopping centers appeared - Phuket discovered a new source of income.
The bridge connecting Phuket to the mainland in the 70s
After Catholic Christmas, on December 26, 2004, a tsunami hit Phuket, claiming the lives of more than 500 people on the island. As the Thais say, "the sea breathed in and out." Due to common ignorance, lack of warning systems and, unfortunately, due to the negligence of the Earthquake Office, the warning was not issued. “This warning will create negative reviews in the tourism industry if the tsunami does not happen, ”the ministry decided. Patong and Kamala beaches, where wave heights reached 5 meters, were particularly affected. But worst of all was the coast of Phang Nga province and the south of Ranong, where the wave height reached 11.6 meters. This disaster has affected the lives of every Thai resident. The grandson of King Rama IX, who was at that time on a yacht off the coast of Khao Lak, died. But through the efforts of volunteers and the Thai government, day after day rebuilding the island of Phuket, Phoenix rose from the ashes. At the moment, all beaches have warning signs, warning systems have been established.
Phuket island airport
In recent years, the island of Phuket has been experiencing a new round of development in the tourism industry. Hotels, new shopping centers are being built, new places of interest for guests of the island are opening. Some projects are planned by the Thai government to improve Phuket. A budget of 180 million US dollars has been allocated for the development of the airport; by March 2015, it will be able to receive 12.5 million passengers per year. A new Conference Center for 5,000 people will be built in the Mai Khao area. In 2014, we are all looking forward to the underground tunnel at the intersection, which will unload road traffic in Phuket town. There are two one-way tunnels in the process of administration approval through the mountain to Patong Beach. Phuket is changing for the better.
Patong Beach in the 80s
For the international community, Phuket's successes do not go unnoticed. More and more foreigners prefer to invest in the development of projects on the island. Among them are Forbes millionaires: New Zealanders Richard and Christopher Chandler, Hong Kong resident Alan Zeman, Finnish Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen, British Indian origin Gulu Lalwani, who opened the well-known Royal Phuket Marina. International magazines and worldwide communities are vying to include the island of Phuket and its hotels in the lists of the best vacation spots in South-East Asia... Phuket half-power ranked 10th on the list in 2011 Best Destinations in the World by Condé Nast Traveler readers' reviews, where resorts were ranked according to 10 criteria, and took the leading position by criteria " high quality for a reasonable price "and" hospitality ". Two hotels Anantara Phuket
In conclusion, I will add that Phuket Island is not just a world-famous resort, but is concentrated here. unique story passed through the centuries. None of the popular resort destinations can boast such an interesting, glittering, and sometimes sad experience as Phuket.
Phuket is pronounced Ruket, previously in European sources and nautical charts referred to as Thalang, Junk Seylon or Jen Saylen - is
one of southern provinces Thailand. This is a respectable first class resort,
"Sharpened" under quiet rest... Its length from north to south
is 48 kilometers, from west to east 21 kilometers. Distance from the capital - 862 km. The capital is the city of Phuket, it is located off the western coast of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea Indian Ocean... It is interesting that the very name of the island resort "Phuket" in translation from the local language means "mountain". Indeed, Phuket Island outwardly resembles a mountain that literally rises from the clear sea waters. It is thanks to the picturesque landscapes, exotic nature, rich underwater world and great coral islands majority
tourists are rightfully called Phuket the best vacation spot in Thailand. The landscapes of the island of Phuket, located in the Andaman Sea near south coast Thailand are extremely unique and diverse: on Phuket, tourists can meet both rocky highlands and long wide sandy beaches, regal limestone cliffs, wooded gentle hills, shallow estuaries, magnificent lagoons and colorful tropical vegetation all
species. The large size of the island of Phuket determines the coexistence of different microclimates here in different parts of Phuket. Despite the fact that it is inferior in size to Singapore, Phuket leads the list largest islands Thailand. WITH mainland kingdom, the island is connected by two bridges. Previously, Phuket's prosperity, which has a rich and colorful history, was based on the extraction of tin and rubber. And since it was located on one of the main trade routes between India and China, it was constantly mentioned in the Portuguese ship logs,
French, Dutch and English merchants. Today, the province derives most of its income from the island's huge tourist popularity as a seaside resort.
How to get there: In the north of the island is located international Airport which accepts international charter flights and domestic vessels. A flight from Bangkok takes about an hour (a round-trip ticket costs about US $ 180. During the season, direct charter flights fly to Phuket from Moscow and some regions, including Perm, the flight time from the capital of Russia is about 9 hours. The duration of the trip by transfer depends on resort area where the hotel is located. At the farthest distance is Cape Panwa and Kata Beach. The island is also connected to the mainland by the Sarasin bridge, through which there is a car and bus connection. The bus journey from Bangkok to the island takes 12-14 hours.
Transport features of Phuket: the easiest way for tourists to move around the island is by car or by scooter, which can be easily rented at the resort.
Taxi: Taxis can be easily hailed on the street, taxi cars are located at
parking lots near shopping centers. The price can be negotiated on the spot with the driver.
Also on the island are the so-called "Tuk-tuk" cars (or rickshaws), plying all over the island. Car rental: rental is well developed, almost every local travel agency provides car rental or
motorcycles as well as bikes.
Climate
You can relax in Phuket all year round. Thanks to the wonderful climate of this area, rest here is popular not only among our compatriots, but also among Europeans, as well as the ubiquitous Chinese.
Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate. There are usually two main seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season in Phuket lasts from April to November, at which time precipitation on the island is quite frequent, however, as a rule, it rains only in the evening and at night. Of course, it happens that the rain can charge for two or three days, but this is extremely rare. In the dry season, there are practically no rains on Phuket.
The weather on this wonderful island is always warm, sometimes even hot ... The air temperature during the day averages +29 ... + 32 ° С, at nights it is a little cooler +22 ... + 25 ° С. The highest daytime temperatures are from February to April.
The largest number rainfall in the month of September: about 400 millimeters. In total, about 2,200 millimeters of precipitation falls annually. The sea water temperature in the Phuket area throughout the year is 28 ... 29 degrees Celsius.
sights
49 meter statue Big Buddha located on a mountain between Kata and Chalong. The height of the mountain is 350 meters, so the southern and eastern parts of the island are perfectly visible from here: Rawai, Chalong, Phuket town. The construction of the statue has been under way since 2008 with donations - currently under construction Buddhist temple at the base of the Statue. Here you can buy souvenirs, as well as contribute to the construction of the temple by buying a marble tablet or a ring for making wishes.
The views from Big Buddha are stunning, especially at sunset. If you are riding a motorbike, be careful, the road is very steep.
Background of the Big Buddha Statue
- Schedule: daily 09: 00-18: 00
- Entrance fee: is free
- How to get to Big Buddha: by car or motorbike. From Patong you need to go through the Karon and Kata beaches to the Chalong Circle, turn left at the roundabout (onto the road leading to the airport). After about 700 meters, there will be a signpost to the left at the traffic light. From the sign you need to follow the arrows 6-7 km.
The big advantage of Phuket is that there is always something to do and see, whether it is raining or the sun is shining. Range of entertainment and beautiful places to visit is huge and varied. We present you a list of the 10 best Phuket attractions, as well as ways to spend your time. Even if you visit only half of these destinations, you will have an unforgettable vacation. Do not forget to share your impressions, leave feedback in the comments, post your photos.
Phang Nga Bay northeast of Phuket.
In parallel with tin mining, other industries developed in Phuket: growing hevea tree, shrimp and fishing. These industries were mainly occupied by Siamese and Malays. Rubber trees appeared on the island at the beginning of the 20th century thanks to the governor of the province of Trang Phraya Ratsada. At that time, rubber plantations occupied 40% of the entire vegetation of the island, and today they have decreased to only 30%.
Tin mines in the 1920s
In the 20th century, tin mines were depleted, and the value of tin on the world market dropped altogether. During the Japanese occupation, trade and business in the country declined, and several Chinese families stayed afloat in Phuket. Thanks to their hard work and skills, Phuket Island has been revived. In today's society, many influential people are of Chinese origin. For example, one of the descendants of Chinese immigrants has become the current governor of Phuket. By the 80s, it was impossible not to assess the environmental damage from by-products of tin processing, then local residents staged massive actions against the construction of new factories. In 1992, the last tin mine was closed. Paradoxically, tin mining laid the foundation for tourism. On the site of the tin mines, golf courses and the famous Laguna hotel complex were built. However, there are almost no natural lakes in Phuket, all reservoirs were formed as a result of tin mining. The first small tourists began to appear in Phuket at the beginning of the 20th century. John Carrington wrote about Phuket in 1906: "One of the most beautiful and charming places in the world." As with most Asian resorts, mass tourism in Phuket was founded by hippies in the 70s. In 1967, the Sarasin Bridge was built, linking the island of Phuket to the mainland, and in 1976 an international airport was officially opened, allowing American soldiers and then American tourists to easily travel to the paradise island on vacation.
Sarasin Bridge in the 70s
In 1976, the first hotel in Phuket was built - Impiana Resort in Patong. At that time, the most developed beach now looked like a small village with bamboo huts, a dusty road and an absolutely wild beach. Pass from Patong to Karon was quite dangerous due to landslides and that which carried the clay road in the rains. Over time, asphalt was paved, traffic lights installed, more hotels were built, shopping centers appeared - Phuket discovered a new source of income.
The bridge connecting Phuket to the mainland in the 70s
After Catholic Christmas, on December 26, 2004, a tsunami hit Phuket, claiming the lives of more than 500 people on the island. As the Thais say, "the sea breathed in and out." Due to common ignorance, lack of warning systems and, unfortunately, due to the negligence of the Earthquake Office, the warning was not issued. "Such a warning will create negative reviews in the tourism industry if the tsunami does not happen," the ministry decided. Patong and Kamala beaches, where wave heights reached 5 meters, were particularly affected. But worst of all was the coast of Phang Nga province and the south of Ranong, where the wave height reached 11.6 meters. This disaster has affected the lives of every Thai resident. The grandson of King Rama IX, who was at that time on a yacht off the coast of Khao Lak, died. But through the efforts of volunteers and the Thai government, day after day rebuilding the island of Phuket, Phoenix rose from the ashes. At the moment, all beaches have warning signs, warning systems have been established. In recent years, the island of Phuket has been experiencing a new round of development in the tourism industry. Hotels, new shopping centers are being built, new places of interest for guests of the island are opening. Some projects are planned by the Thai government to improve Phuket. A budget of 180 million US dollars has been allocated for the development of the airport; by March 2015, it will be able to receive 12.5 million passengers per year. A new Conference Center for 5,000 people will be built in the Mai Khao area. In 2014, we are all looking forward to the underground tunnel at the intersection of the Central Festival shopping center, which will relieve traffic in Phuket Town. There are two one-way tunnels in the process of administration approval through the mountain to Patong Beach. Phuket is changing for the better. For the international community, Phuket's successes do not go unnoticed. More and more foreigners prefer to invest in the development of projects on the island. Among them are Forbes millionaires: New Zealanders Richard and Christopher Chandler, Hong Kong resident Alan Zeman, Finnish Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen, British Indian origin Gulu Lalwani, who opened the well-known Royal Phuket Marina. International magazines in the global community are vying to include the island of Phuket and its hotels in the lists of the best vacation spots in Southeast Asia. In 2011, Phuket was semi-ranked 10th on the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' list of Best Destinations in the World, where resorts were ranked on 10 criteria, and was ranked as the leader in "high quality for a reasonable price" and "hospitality". Two hotels Anantara Phuket and Amanpuri were once again included in the list of the Best Hotels in the World, and the hotel Six senses Yao Noi Beyond Phuket was named in the 2012 Gold List of Hotels by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Tripadvisor has identified several hotels in 2012 for family vacation in Phuket: The Chava Resort, Marriott's Phuket Beach Club, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort & Villas, Marriott Mai Khao Beach, Destination Surin Resort and Spa, Andara Resort and Villas, included in the list of 10 best hotels Thailand. However, other awards can be listed endlessly. In conclusion, I will add that Phuket Island is not just a world-famous resort, but a unique history that has passed through the centuries is concentrated here. None of the popular resort destinations can boast such an interesting, glittering, and sometimes sad experience as Phuket.
The Sarasin Bridge is a link between the island and the mainland. It was built at the end of the 60s of the last century, and since then it has been helping a large flow of tourists to freely cross the border between the sea and a real tropical paradise called Phuket.
The length of the bridge is about 500 meters, and in the old days the island was a cape under the already familiar name of Jungceylon. In our days, in memory of the past, this is the name of the famous shopping center in Patong.
After the water conquered the fine line of the land, and this was about in the II-III centuries. AD, locals and visitors to the island were faced with the problem of ferrying. Communication with Phuket was carried out by using watercraft. Successful geographical position and the strong interest of the merchant sailors greatly influenced the development of the island. And over the centuries, the mining of tin began in Phuket, which was found here in huge quantities in the 16th century. Over time, the tin deposits began to come to naught, then the people had a new monetary interest in the island - a tourist one. So it was decided to build a bridge. The first tourists to set foot on Sarasin were the American military. For three to four decades, Phuket has developed into a modern tourism center that receives several hundred tourists from all over the world a year.
As time passed, Sarasin was overgrown with legends and enveloped in a mystical halo. Thais are a superstitious people and inclined to ascribe to everything and all magical power, this fate did not bypass the bridge. The legend, which still circulates among the people, says that Sarasin is a favorite place for suicides, and it all began when a couple of lovers threw themselves off him holding hands several decades ago. And it was so. A common guy fell in love with a girl from a wealthy society, and she reciprocated. Soon her parents learned about the secret connection of the lovers, and closed the young lady at home. The grief bridegroom stole her, and offered to be together in heaven, if it was impossible on earth. Then the unfortunates tied each other with a rope and threw themselves into the whirlpool. According to legend, they were buried tied together. But among the people there is a more optimistic name for the bridge - "Gateway to Paradise".
These days, the Sarasin Bridge allows easy access to the neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi, which abound in national parks and deserted beaches. The bridge also offers excellent trails to many other regions of Thailand.
Recently, another bridge was built parallel to Sarasin. It bears the name Thao Тhep Krasatry. which denotes the title attributed to the heroine sisters who liberated Phuket from the Burmese enemies.
Traditionally, when crossing the bridge, you need to hold your breath and make a wish. If you hold out from the beginning of the bridge to the end, then it will definitely come true. Thais do not like to bother themselves in anything, therefore, provided that the length of the bridge is about half a kilometer, you will not have to hold your breath for long. So go ahead, for the fulfillment of desires to the Sarasin Bridge in Phuket!
A feature of Greece is a diverse natural landscape, the presence interesting corners in the mountains and in the sea, as well as stunning landscapes. And of course, in the list of special places in Greece, famous for their uniqueness, there are islands that can be reached literally on foot. Four of the thousands of Greek islands have roads that connect them to the mainland, offering another way to get there without going by sea.
Lefkada
Due to its accessibility, amazingly beautiful mountain landscapes, beautiful beaches award-winning internationally acclaimed Mediterranean villages and lush hinterland greenery, Lefkada is one of the most popular summer destinations in the Ionian Sea and beyond.
Here you will find sandy beaches, bustling resorts with stormy nightlife, crowded marinas with dozens of yachts. However, behind this tourist decoration, there is another world, less pretentious, but just as interesting and fascinating. You can meet him on remote beaches, on emerald islets and in the lush, lush green of the island's interior. One of the main advantages of the island, of course, is its location in close proximity to the shores of the main mainland of the country, thanks to which it can be easily reached by car, bypassing the journey by sea.
Kukumitsa - Vonitsa
Just a few dozen meters east of the pier in Wonice, you can see the green islet of Kukumitsa, which is connected to the land by a newly built stone bridge. The main attraction of the island is the temple of St. Nektarios hidden in the greenery of huge eucalyptus and cypress trees. This small paradise makes a visit to Vonitsa unforgettable.
Etoliko - Masolongi
Aetolico is often called the little Greek Venice, as this area literally "emerges" from the sea. You can get here by the road starting at Masolongi and going on to resort town Astakos. Two stone bridges, 250 and 300 meters long, connect the island to the mainland. If you get to old road, then in a place in Phoenix (gr. Φοινικιά), you will see the Church of Panagia Phoinikias, standing in the shallow waters of the lagoon between the salt marshes. It was here that Lord Byron traveled by boat for rest.
Saint Achillios - Prespa
In order to visit the islet of Agios Achillios, located in the area of Lesser Prespa, you need to cross on foot pedestrian bridge 200 meters long and you will find yourself in the seaside village that bears the name of Agios Achillios. On the island you can see traces of all civilizations that have changed sequentially in the course of history. Byzantine churches with ancient columns are scattered throughout the island. The Church of St. Achillios was built by the Byzantine emperor Vasily II the Bulgar fighter (gr. Βουλγαροκτόνος) as a sign of victory over the Bulgarian army of Tsar Samuel. The island is so small that you can walk around it within an hour, but this walk around the island will bring many unforgettable impressions.
