When: April 2012
Who: Him & I
What: Our Annual Trip
How: By AirAsia
Day 1
Phuket is the most developed island in Thailand. Thus, everything on this island is expensive. Touched down at Phuket airport around eight in the morning. At the arrival hall, there are many taxi drivers standing there to welcome you, please don't approach these drivers, walk out straight until you see a taxi booth on your left hand side, it is cheaper, about 550 Baht to Patong. Then, we checked in our hotel - R Mar resort and Spa Hotel at Patong.
#01 The hotel is located at the heart of Patong. The room is very spacious and clean. Just 5 minutes walk to Patong Beach and to Junceylon Shopping Mall.
R Mar resort and Spa Hotel
33 Soi Rat-U-Thid 200 Pee 1,
rat-U-Thid 200 Pee Road
Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand
tel: +66 (0) 7634 4007-9, +66 (0) 7634 3126-9
email: info.rmarresortandspa@gmail.com
website: http//www.rmarresortandspa.com
Got some rest in the hotel and then we went out to walk around and to look for tour package
It was not a peak season, one driver on the street approached us and he offered us 500 Baht for five hours drive to any places we want.We thought it was quite reasonable since we really need a car.
#04 First stop was Elephant Trekking - 1,800 Baht/ 2 person for 30 minutes only. I was feeling very guilty to ride on the elephant.
After this, it was 3.30pm, we went back to hotel, take a bath and get ready for a night show - Phuket FantaSea
#10 The place of Phuket FantaSea Night Show is located at a cultural theme park which is divided into three zones, where you can shop at Festival Village, dine in the Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant and Vegas-Style Entertainment in the Palace of the Elephants.
Day 2
We had already bought Island trip voucher from Groupon two months ago before the trip. I am not sure whether it is cheaper to buy the voucher via online or to buy the package when you arrived Phuket.
Early in the morning 7.45am, the tour agent came to pick us from our hotel to gather with others at a port. The island trip was awesome, fantastic scenery but the buffet lunch was so so only.
Early in the morning 7.45am, the tour agent came to pick us from our hotel to gather with others at a port. The island trip was awesome, fantastic scenery but the buffet lunch was so so only.
#13 Our first top was at Viking Cave, then we dropped by at Maya Bay. This place is always crowded, we couldn't swim at all, so we walked around and took photos.
#14 Snorkeled at Phi Phi Island. The water is crystal clear, had great fun looking the corals and fishes. I forgot to bring some plain bread to feed the fish :(
#15 It was my second trip to Phi Phi Island. We had our lunch here which was included in this package. There are many shops and restaurants located here. This is also the place when the 2004 Tsunami hit.
#16 I love Khai Island a lot. This place would be amazing if it was not crowded with tourists that you can hardly even see the beach because the island was covered by beach deck chairs and colorful umbrellas. We really enjoyed and relaxed sitting on the deck chair (150 Baht) under the umbrella while having some fruits and soft drinks included in this package.
#17 Had dinner at Number 6 Restaurant at the main road of Patong. This restaurant is quite famous, the price was affordable and the food was good. You must go as early as possible to avoid the very long queue.
Number 6 Restaurant
69 Soi Prabaranee 3
Prabaramee Road
Patong, Phuket 83150, Thailand
tel:+66 (0) 81 922 4084
After dinner, we took 5 minutes walk from the restaurant to Jungceylon Sopping Complex. The mall has everything from food to clothes. It is an open concept where there are several cafes and restaurants outdoor. Went to Big C Cupermarket to buy some Thai snacks and Thai Maggie Mee in low price but other goods are very expensive. No point and don't wast time to shop here for souvenirs.
Another interesting and a must-visit-wild-night-life place in Phuket is Bangla Road to see the colours and other side of Phuket where it is for adults only. There are great bars, food, shows, ladies, lady boys and a lot more. We just walked a long this street quickly because it was drizzling. Then, we stopped at a place for foot massage where they offered us very fair price, relaxing and comfortable services.
Day 3
Woke up in the morning and we both totally have no idea what to do because I did not plan an itinerary for this trip. Hence, we wandered around Patong streets looking for souvenirs and food. Coincidentally, we bumped into the first day driver. He offered us to bring us round the island for half day for 500 Baht. He recommended us to few attractions.
#20 Visited The Big Buddha on top of a hill by ATV was a very great experience. There are different options available, you can also chose to tour through a forest, beaches and plantation too, definitely the price is higher, around 3,000 Baht for few hours.
#21 1,000 Baht each person for one hour. They actually followed us along the way to the hill and took video while we were riding the ATV. The video cost us 500 Baht which was super expensive!
We asked the driver to stop us at a hawker beside the road to try the local dishes. It is really cheap and delicious, worth trying. But they couldn't speak English and the menu is in Thai, so we asked the driver to help us to translate.
#26 We saw this cute little elephant at outside of a wholesale souvenir shop where you can shop for crafts, local homemade soaps, paintings and other souvenirs with cheaper price at town. I paid only 40 Baht to feed this cute little elephant and got the chance to take picture closely with it.
At around 3 something we checked in another hotel at Kata Beach - Matadee Resort. We put a night here because we wanted to enjoy the beach and waves at Kata Beach. A beautiful beach with terrifying strong waves where the surfers flocked to enjoy the waves.
#27 10 minutes walking distance from the hotel to Kata Beach. Along the street there are pubs and restaurants. This place is quieter compared to Patong.
#28 The must-watch show in Thailand - Simon Cabaret a very famous and entertaining show. The costumes and music were amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. 700 Baht/ person for a regular seat include hotel transfer, they have three shows every night. You may get the official ticket at the entrance or buy from tour agent. It was low season, so we did not book this ticket via online earlier.
Phuket Simon Cabaret
8 Sirirach Rd, Patong Beach
Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand
tel: +66 76 342 011-5
website: http://.phuket-simoncaberet.com/
Metadee Resort & Villas
66 Kata Road, T.Karon A.Muang
Phuket 83100, Thailand
tel: (66) 76 337 888
email: inquiry@matadeephuket.com
website: http://www.metadeephuket.com
In summary, Phuket does not feel like an Island at all because it is so huge that you rarely get the sense that you are surrounded by water. It is the biggest island in Thailand and it is a very commercial island compared to Krabi. We were here to experience the white sands, tranquil waters and swaying palms of Phuket's beaches, some of the finest in the world. I did not plan a proper itinerary for this trip, you can be very flexible but you must not miss out an island tour and a show in your itinerary. Plan well :)
Stay tuned for my another vacation in Thailand.
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