First Dibs
Joana Mollet, Destination Expert.
It's the end of a long day and I'm still spinning from having arrived in Thailand only a few hours ago. It's been a long journey and I'm grateful to see a speedboat bobbing at the pier. The engines start up and in seconds the crowded shores of Phuket seem to melt into the distance. We're heading out into a calm inner bay, to the Evason Hideaway at Koh Yao Noi - a small island lost in a seascape of limestone karsts and the infinite blue of the Andaman Sea.
As we leave the coast behind I have to admit that I'm getting more and more curious about this place - it's not open to the public yet, so I'm glad to be invited to be one of the first to experience it.
On reaching the island I'm struck by the understated appearance of the resort. The villas are made entirely from teakwood, blending seamlessly into the surrounding forest, so that on approach, you could almost be forgiven for thinking it wasn't there at all. A giveaway - two tiny figures in white are standing on the beach, its Marco and Sandra the resort managers, waiting to welcome me.
As we walk around the resort, I soon realise that the subtle natural design belies the complete modernity of the accommodations and facilities. This is really a first class resort with all the trappings and a clever open design which allows you to make the most of the unspoiled surroundings.
As we stand at the pool of the hilltop reserve and look over the treetops and out into bay, it really is a breathtaking sight -there's no mistaking we're in Asia here - blue waters open out to dramatic jungle clad islands and the limestone cliffs of surrounding karsts plunge vertiginously into the sea. Not a boat in sight, not a building blemishing the landscape.
I'm free to enjoy the end of the day on the deck of my pool villa, relaxing and taking in the views, trailing my feet lazily in the water. As the growing symphony of crickets heralds the approaching night, I know I'm going to sleep like a baby.
