Four Phrases To Describe It…. Scandanavian. Pretty. Overpriced. Quiet
Karon Beach. Busy yet pretty quiet
Our first destination on Phuket is Karon beach, located midway down the island on the west-coast. While it’s not as built-up as other places in Phuket, it certainly doesn’t feel desolate. Instead, I think it lacks a lot of charm. See, when you go to a place like Patong, when you know it’s going to be all nightclubs and bars and tourist crap, well you expect it to lack charm. However, it usually makes up for that in excitement, nightlife, and pleothera of activities. Waikiki is still nice despite being a commercial hellhole, and so is Cancun. Karon, unfortunately, touristy without much to do (besides girlie bars). However, the beach is very pretty with squeaky golden sand and clear water. During low tide, the water gets too shallow to really swim, but it’s nice to just sit in and enjoy the sunset. Despite the fact the beach is quite crowded, it’s full of middle-aged Europeans who are generally quieter than your typical spring break/gap year crowd so it can be pretty relaxing. There’s also not that many touts on the beach and they generally leave you alone if you want to be left alone, though we find it pretty comical that none of the food stalls have prices on the menus. Judging from overhearing what they charge you, the bigger a dumb tourist you seem (or the richer), the more they try and charge you. Lesson learned: look like a poor backpacker.
One of three Asians seen on Karon beach today =P
Something that was a bit weird was seeing all the topless middle-aged (obese) women. Now, I have nothing against topless sunbathing–I’m no prudish American, and I’ve done it before and thought it was liberating (nevermind the fact I lived in Japan where naked bathing with your friends (female) is matter-of-course.) However, countless literature, travel guides, pleas from everywhere urge people to respect Thailand’s culture and NOT do it here. Yet seeing people flagerantly ignore is kind of sad. We are very, “in Rome, do as the Romans do.” But I guess there’s always people who will do whatever the hell they want no matter where they go.
One last thing–this place is absolutely devoid of Thai tourists, hell, it’s devoid of any non-Caucasian European tourists. This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, but I have always loved and sought out diversity. Also, I personally think it a bit odd to be in a foreign country, yet the only locals are people you see are the ones serving you pineapple or trying to sell you sunglasses. Yes, I know most tourist beaches around the world work this way–lucky for me, I know a few beaches where locals and foreigners mix pretty evenly. =P This is not one of them, but it’s still beautiful and a nice place worth visiting.
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From Prairie:
“when you know it’s going to be all nightclubs and bars and tourist crap, well you expect it to lack charm. However, it usually makes up for that in excitement, nightlife, and pleothera of activities.”
I get that–it’s that you figure, hey, this will be touristy, but if you can take it on its own terms or see its merits beyond places to buy Traditional [location here] Bongs…
From Janus:
I was a bit confused because I thought you were expecting to see non-Caucasian Europeans, and I was wondering what percentage of the world those actually comprise. ;D But now I know what you mean.
From syksushi:
Hey, that pic of you in the sunset… that’s hot!
But in general, all of yours and Hugh’s pics of the horizon and the sunrise/sunset are the best outta the bunch. Keep it up, I want to see more!
From Janelle:
Prairie: Cool pix…for a touristy beach, it looks pretty desolate. I like XD
Janus: =P Probably 1% of the population? Haha… yeah =P
syksushi: Haha, okay, we’ll take less photos of chickens and more of sunsets ^.~