So, the Thai "Maldives" - the island of Koh Kood. Koh Kood is the fourth largest Thai island (after Phuket, Koh Chang and Koh Samui) with a length of about 20 kilometers, lying in the Gulf of Thailand near the border with Cambodia.
Getting here from Bangkok may not be very easy, but, as they say, there would be a desire. First you need to get to the city of Trat either by bus (from the bus station in Bangkok it takes about 5 hours), or by plane (about 50 minutes). Boats and speed boats go to the island from the mainland piers of the city of Trat (travel time is one and a half hours, cost 350 Baht) and from the island of Ko Chang (a little over an hour, cost 900 Baht). The boats arrive at the central pier of the island, from where the vacationers are then transported to hotels in open pick-up trucks "tuk-tuk", delivery is included in the ticket price. Speedboats take tourists directly to the hotel's pier. sandy beaches separated by rocky ridges descending into the sea. The middle of the island is a virgin, impenetrable jungle that has not yet been spoiled by man. The best beach is Klong Chao. It is located approximately in the middle of the west coast.
Snow-white sand, a gentle entrance to the sea, luxurious shaggy casuarines along the beach and almost imperceptible low tides.
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It is on this beach that the best hotels islands. True, they are not quite budget-friendly in terms of cost. There are a number of shops and restaurants behind the hotel line. But behind the road and shopping area, there are also hotels for budget tourists. Some of them are quite comfortable: stone or wooden bungalows with air conditioning and a private bathroom, and there are just palm-leaf huts with "amenities" around the corner, but very cheap.
My favorite was the more secluded and very uncrowded Ngam Ko beach, located about a couple of kilometers south of Klong Chao.
On the map
This is a narrow but very long strip yellow sand, of amazing color, absolutely transparent motionless surface of the sea and tall coconut trees along the shore.
Due to the abundance of palm trees, the island is often called the "Coconut Lagoon". There are only a few very small bungalow-type hotels on this beach, located at a decent distance from each other.
Those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle big city you can always find a place where they will be absolutely alone, alone with the sea and the sun.
On the map
Parallel to the coastline is a concrete road connecting the beaches. If you get tired of lying by the sea, you can start exploring the island, but there is something to see here. You can go inland to the Klong Chao waterfall
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or in fishing village sea gypsies, or rent a kayak and swim in the mangroves. In some hotels, kayak rental is included in the room rate.
On the map
Or you can catch big catfish in the Klong Chao River or go sea fishing, or hire a long-tail boat and go to the neighboring small islands. public transport and to be mobile, it is best to rent a motorbike. This can be done either at the hotel reception or at the store. International law is not required, a contract does not need to be concluded, the cost of rental is 300 - 350 Baht per day, it is not at all expensive. The road is unique and of good quality, and almost always deserted. There are no problems with refueling. Fuel bottles are sold along the road and in stores.
According to reliable statistics, most vacationers want to be in some tropical paradise. Whoever wants to sunbathe on a golden beach once in a lifetime, plunge into the crystal clean water... But what if there is not enough money for a long trip? It turns out that it is quite possible to find a worthy replacement. southern islands... Let's compare the famous Maldives and... Belarusian Maldives.
Maldives - where are they?
Maldives called the group coral islands v Indian Ocean... In addition to those who like to soak up the hot tropical sun, here you can find many fans of diving. Diversity underwater world, the beauty of the coral reefs and the transparency of the waters put this resort out of competition. Visiting excursions and fishing are also far from last places in the ranking of popular local entertainment.
Maldives waters
By the way, about cleanliness waters Maldives worth mentioning separately. Underwater visibility over 50 meters! This is a world record! The average water temperature is +27 ⁰С all year round. Everyone who comes here for the first time seeks to return again and again. And diving is exciting at first sight. And even if you have never dived to the depth - it doesn't matter! Professional instructors will help you take the first (and, most likely, not the last) steps in this exciting vacation.
Belarusian Maldives
But if you are not very inclined to travel to distant lands, welcome to Belarus! Namely, on Krasnoselskie chalkpit... They are quite rightly called twins of the Maldives... Crystal clear and transparent Belarusian chalk lakes azure-blue color is in no way inferior to the waters of the distant ocean. The splendid view of the quarries from above makes you fall in love with this place at first sight.
Krasnoselskiy quarries - where are they
These magical lakes are located near the village of Krasnoselsk near the city of Volkovysk, a four-hour drive from Minsk. They represent two groups of lakes with 5 quarries each. This place has long become a favorite among locals and tourists. People come here to relax with the whole family or with friends, and some even stay for several days, setting up tourist tents along the banks.
How did the chalk lakes form?
The origin of the Krasnoselsky chalk lakes pretty mundane. The Krasnoselskstroymaterialy plant is located nearby. BELAZ dump trucks can be seen every day in the area of lakes. It was with their help that careers were dug.
Vacationers appreciate Belarusian careers for their delightful beauty. Plunge into pleasant clear water on a hot day - isn't it a pleasure ?!
Choosing places for rest and travel !!!
Tuvalu (until 1975 - Ellis Islands) is a Pacific state in Polynesia. It borders in the north and northeast with the territorial waters of Kiribati, in the east with the territorial waters of Tokelau, in the southeast with the waters of Samoa and the Wallis and Futuna Islands, in the south with the waters of Fiji, in the southwest and west with the waters of the Solomon Islands. The length of the coastal strip is 21 km. Tuvalu is located on 5 atolls and 4 islands of the Tuvalu archipelago. The total land area is 26 km². The population of the country is 12,177 people. (2008, estimate). The capital is Funafuti.
Of the Russian citizens, there are hardly a hundred people who have spent an exotic vacation in Tuvalu at least once.
The largest atoll, Funafuti, is the capital of this island nation, which is, moreover, the only place on the island where you can change currency, call anywhere or use the Internet.
Tuvalu islands were discovered Spanish navigator Alvaro Mendanya de Neiroi in 1568. In 1892, the archipelago became the British protectorate of Ellis Island, and in 1916 it became part of the British colony of Gilbert and Ellis Island. In a 1974 referendum, the Polynesian population of the Ellis Islands voted to secede from the Micronesian Gilbert Islands (later Kiribati), and the following year, the archipelago became a separate British colony of Tuvalu. The islands gained independence in 1978. Tuvalu is a member of the UN, South Pacific Commission and Pacific Islands Forum.
Isolated in the middle of Micronesia, Tuvalu is among the safest and most remote places in the world. It is the third least populated country on Earth and the fourth smallest country. One way or another, if you need peace and privacy, Tuvalu will be very good choice in order to live here for several months and restore peace of mind.
The tiny island state of Tuvalu, which is located in Pacific, there is a big problem.
This is drinking water .. While the islands have some reserve of bottled water. Drinking water and desalination plants are also supplied from New Zealand and Samoa. But these measures are not enough to somehow rectify the situation. Thirsty islanders hope that nature will have mercy on them and send down the long-awaited rain.
An exotic vacation in Tuvalu also attracts tourists because the population here is responsive and friendly.
If you have any request or need help, the locals will always listen and help you.
This small exotic country is also unique in that communication with officials does not cause any irritation, because the administrative staff will give you the most cordial welcome, you will be provided with everything you need so that tours to Tuvalu are not forgotten by its guests and they come back here.
It is also interesting that locals have two beaches near their houses.
And all because the island is very narrow, so much so that in some parts of it there is nothing but a road.
The population here is poor, but poverty is not at all the same as, for example, in the Russian slums. They are not beggars, but the standard of living here is different.
