PHUKET: THE PEARL OF THE ANDAMAN SEA

In a few minutes of terrifying oblivion, the island of Phuket, the surrounding islands, and parts of the west coast of peninsular Thailand were devastated by the most violent natural phenomenon known to man. To give a face to its rebirth and reconstruction, these pages revisit the most beautiful areas on a journey through that enchanted world. Phuket, the islands of Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, Krabi: names that evoke emotions, colours, a generous and benevolent side of Nature, and images of peace, harmony, and smiles. All of this was true before December 26, 2004. Then, a simple upheaval of the earth destroyed entire coastal regions facing onto the Andaman Sea, with Phuket located on the eastern side of the hardest-hit area. This book, conceived and written just before the catastrophe, stands as a homage to all that Phuket and the gorgeous smaller islands adjoining it once were. It endeavours to show the most beautiful side of a lost paradise, of magical places whose light has been extinguished and will take years to shine again, leaving behind, among the most bitterest of memories, images that have thrown the world into distress. Furthermore, it seeks to be an invitation to humanity, through international collaboration, to cooperate with nature for once to bring about the rebirth of what has been swept away, by paying attention to the restrictions that nature herself imposes and listening to her language in which tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions are not unknown - but which also - and above all - offers us jewels like the Pearl of the Andaman Sea. This new title in the "Journey Through the World and Nature" series, contains breathtaking photography.