Idle banter forum

I hate beaches that have a busy road or a promenade running behind them with shops, bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and traffic ... I'd far rather have to walk a bit to a beach and be well away from all that stuff. Also once a beach has concrete resorts on it there's no way of turning the clock back and getting that picture perfect tropical beach back again...EVER.

Future generations may devise a more intelligent way of doing things but at this rate countries like Thailand soon won't have any unspoilt beaches left for them to work with.

I also don't want other people's ghetto blasters and radios "entertaining" me when I'm sitting on a beach. I happen to like the sound of the waves but you often can't hear waves, just techno rap hip hop trance and/or piped hotel music. What did god invent mp3 players and ipods for?

Nice sand is OK but I get bored just lying about reading and getting skin cancer. I don't like beaches with banana boats, jet skis, karaoke, donkey rides or ascentional parachutes as "entertainment" though. My favourite beaches are those that have a healthy coral reef within swimming distance from the shore and scenic walks nearby rather than shops and internet cafes.

No money in tourists like me though, is there?

Where ARE you Somtam? it doesn't sound that great!

and money :0)

Tilapia, what you mean a forum like this?

Cycle in Asia

:-)

I've populated it with some old discussions -- but hopefully it will fill out over time as the motorcycling and diving ones are...

SBE - Am still in Sanur, leaving for Sulawesi in a week or so... have had some distractions that have put the trip back a litle...

On beaches -- I'm finding, now with two rugrats in tow, my idea of the perfect beach is morphing somewhat!

Cheers

That's not nice, I should've explained...

A good beach (for me) is one where:

* there is clean water. Muddy/cloudy water just doesn't cut it.

* the sand is clean (oh, so important). Sadly, SE Asians are not (anti)litter conscious.

* there is fringing vegetation between the sand and the 'mainland' (urbanity). This makes the beach relaxed in ambience.

* there is reasonable entry access. Don't like the 5 mile hike to gain access.

* I like waves, but it's not a given (eg. look here ).

* I love a point break, but again, not a given (eg. as in here ).

* I also like beaches that have food options close by. While my local beach is Currumbin and has a couple of cafe's and bars, that's merely a luxury.

* Normally, I don't like being crowded out. Then again, I was at Coogee the other day eating Turkish 'n' dips with a cold beer, amongst a crowd and it was great. So, it depends on location and ambience (and NO touts selling).

Cheers

John (MAC)

I suggest Stuart was asking about detail IN a good beach NOT ON a beach.

Mmmm!!!

What would your lovely wife say of your thoughts?

Cheers