It is not without reason that Phuket, situated in the southern fringes of Thailand, is called the Pearl of the Orient. Spread over an area of over 1,000 square kilometers, this largest and most important of Thai islands is shaped like an irregular pearl.

The currency crisis of the Asian region has made this idyllic tropical island well within the reach of many travelling Indians. There is no doubt that this island provides that much-needed breakaway from the stress and strains of today''s hectic pace of life. This sparsely populated island presents a landscape full of lush green hills, coconut groves, rubber plantations and a very long coastline that is dottedthroughout by dozens of virgin, unspoiled beaches. The sand here is pristine white and the waters that lap up the shore is a clear blue-green. So clear, that you can see several feet into the sea when you are at the top!

Getting to Phuket from India is via Bangkok - the very crowded, but yet beautiful, capital city of Thailand. The national carrier - Thai Airlines - has a flight to Phuket every one hour. We took off from Bangkok for Phuket on a clear, bright and sunny afternoon. We were sitting relaxed in an efficiently administered flight when, all of a sudden, the mystique of Phuket magically seemed to descend on us and pervade all through the aircraft.

Despite sitting near the aircraft engines, whose constant whir was a drone on the ears, we seemed to slip into quietude. The sky outside seemed brighter and bluer, the clouds seemed like patches of pure white cottonstuck on to the sky with glue… when the aircraft suddenly begins its descent into the island. From up where you are seated you suddenly catch the swathe of green that envelopes the island. All of a sudden it dawns on you that the ground is inching closer to you, as the aircraft readies itself to land on a runway that is perilously close to the blue Andaman Sea - so close that you tend to involuntarily say a prayer that the pilot does not misjudge the distance.

We walk out of the immaculately, even if small-by-international-standards, maintained airport building with the island breeze hitting your face. This is where you get the first whiff of, what is surely going to be, an extremely enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere. With its variety and different sizes of beaches along the coast line that cater to the entire spectrum of prices in accommodation, finding the right place to "shack up" is the least of problems in Phuket.

The drive along the clean and well maintained roads that are nearly bereft of any traffic gives you a feeling of being in another era of existence. Besides the sun, sea and the sands which the never ending beach line offers, Phuket also has plenty of other activities for exploring the island. Watersports are at the forefront with yachting, snorkeling, deep sea diving, windsurfing and water skiing being offered on all the beaches.

Phuket town is the most crowded of all places in the island. Besides exotic shopping and entertainment the township also offers the visitor the best view of the remnants of Sino-Portuguese architecture - reminders of the island''s long and interesting history. The best way to explore the island would be to rent a car or motor-bike and drive around. The places are easy to find, the directions put up in English and Thai across the length of the road network - and above all the cost of renting a vehicle not being very expensive. The Indian driver''s license is all you require to produce as proof of driving capability with the passport being lodged at the car rental agency as security for the return of the vehicle. It takes just about one day to just drive around the major areas of the island.

Temples of Buddha - known as "Wat" - form an integral part of the Thai lifestyle. This is also present at Phuket in significant numbers. The most important of all temples in Phuket are the Wat Chalong and the Wat Phra Thong. The latter has a solid gold Buddha idol protruding from the temple floor.

Located just 2.5 kms from the city center, the Phuket Orchid Garden and Thai Village is one of the major attractions in Phuket. Besides offering four superb restaurants that serve exotic and tongue tingling Thai food, the place also has two daily cultural and dance shows that show case the Thai culture and way of life for foreigners.

Besides the above, there are several other natural scenic points that one can visit. The Butterfly Garden and Aquarium is one of the largest tropical aquariums where you can find live corals and a large species of butterflies.

The spell binding beauty does not stop here. Just20 kms southeast of Phuket and accessible by ferry boats, located in the Krabi province, are the twin Phi Phi Islands. Besides splendid beaches and lush vegetation, the sight of sheer cliffs rising out of nowhere to hundreds of feet above the water is a sight that can never be forgotten.

Further down is the Phang Nga Bay. Here you findstrange, but hauntingly beautiful, limestone outcrops that rise from the water. This island is also known as the "James Bond" island, after the shooting of a Bond film that took place here.

The place also offers you "pearl farms", where visitors are shown how pearl oysters are cultivated for their high quality pearls. Pearl extraction from oysters is specially shown to the visitors at appointed hours. These farms are generally far away from the mainland and are reachable only by boats.

Whatever you do there is nothing to replace just lazing on the beach, swimming in the clear blue-green waters and drying yourself in the warm rays of the sun. The more famous beaches of Patong, Kata, Karon and Kamala offer a variety of water sports to break the monotony of lazing. Patong, the largest of all the beaches, also offers a terrificnightlife. The place comes alive by 9.00 p.m with a variety of seaside restaurants offering mouth watering seafood. The nightclubs that dot the beach are packed with foreigners into the wee hours of the morning. Out here you can also experience classical Thai massages with medicated herbs.

As you come near to the end of your holidays a feeling of "can I stay here for some more days" overwhelms you. Grudgingly you pack your bags and board the plane for your homeland…..with the fond memories of a very relaxing and invigorating break.