We landed in Phuket and our driver greeted us warmly. We decided to try staying in a hostel, more my suggestion, my travel buddy wasn't keen. From questions we asked the driver, we found out that although Patong beach is in Phuket, it was not so much in Central Phuket so we already knew that we would not stay long in the hostel. We checked out a few hotels before setting out as we wandered around Phuket city. We only spent one night there.
We took a trip to the famous Patong beach, so many activities were going on around there - that was where we wanted to be! We went to one of the hotels we checked online, we had a look and were convinced, so we made payments for the rest of our stay in Phuket. We were picked up with our belongings from the hostel the next morning.
Depending on where you might like to stay, this worked for us. Bangla road is where everything happens, the road that doesn't sleep! We didn't want to be right in the middle of the noise so we stayed at Larn Park Resortel which was a fifteen minute walk to Patong beach and Bangla road. There was also a pool to return to which was great! We did so much in Phuket so there will be more photos than writing.
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We moved to Patong :-) |
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Open air food market |
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Food | |
This food market was two minutes away from our hotel, easily accessible and it had variety. It was there all day till about 10 or 11pm.
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Next day heading to Phiphi, Bamboo, Maya and Khai Islands | |
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Phiphi Island in its morning glory according to Bambam (tour guide)...lol |
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And we went to Phiphi Island where THE BEACH was acted | by | Leonardo DiCaprio |
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Bread got all this fish together |
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Snorkerling time |
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Snorkerling over, time to go |
On each Island, we had enough time to explore. We were nearly left behind once cos we went far in!
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Next day - off to Panak, Hong and James Bond Islands |
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We were fortunate to have Buoi row us around. |
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Buoi carved this out with a leaf and took this lovely photo |
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James Bond Island - the man with the Golden gun was acted here |
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Somewhere on Bangla road, there was a passionate Thai Elvis Presley |
Meanwhile, back in Patong...
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BANGLA ROAD, the road where it all happens. | The road that never sleeps |
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And we had some m-a-d fun! |
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Hils parasailing |
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And she landed in water ;) |
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Landing |
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Me parasailing |
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Phuket Fantasea |
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Fantasea - no photos beyond this point but the show was followed by a five course meal, it was amazing!
We handed our cameras and phones in to be picked up when leaving. The performances at the show were done by people
and animals, it was very well coordinated. |
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Buffalo ride |
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Elephant ride |
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Gibbon rehabilitation centre for monkeys. It was interesting to see the work they were doing |
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There was hardly any water sadly, as the rains had not begun |
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On our way out, he painted my face, I tried to dodge but he succeeded |
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Songkran face paint |
On this day, it was the Songkran festival which signified the New Year/Water festival. The whole day was all about water. From the previous day, water guns were being sold and people prepared with water proof pouches for phones and cameras but we didn't anticipate that the day would be the way it was.
From the minute dawn broke, it was a water festival indeed! Nobody needed permission, water was poured on any and everybody, some had face paint smeared over themselves and others. Some people had barrels of water and stood by the road waiting, there were hoses in the barrels that refilled as the water went down. Everybody was involved - old, young, tourist, local. It was fun!
I started the day by going to church - it was a Sunday. I was keen to see what a Thai service would be like so I checked for a church close by and I was careful to check for one that had non Thai speakers in mind. My travel buddy slept in.
It was different but nice. As I so obviously stood out, someone came to sit beside me and did the translation. There were two of us who were foreigners. At the end, the older ones sat in a row outside and had water beside them. We filed out to greet them and they blessed people by dipping their hands in water and sprinkling on them or some poured a little. I asked what the significance was and I was told that it was the culture and as the day started a New Year, water was used to call blessings for the year - something like that.
They served lunch, as we ate I had a good conversation with a few people then off I went.
As I walked on the streets, water was thrown at me, poured over me. I had no water gun so I just walked through and enjoyed the whole thing.
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Bangla road was a mad house |
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Old, young, tourist, local - everyone took part! |
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Bangla road |
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She went for the water batlle! I had given up so I remained indoors |
Old, young, local, tourist, everyone was involved. There were hoses
everywhere for refills, the price of water guns was crazy that day!
There was a mall off Bangla road that had an organised water battle,
guys took turns to hold the water hoses, the kind of hoses that are used by fire
service men.
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Water guns came in handy |
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Yep, barrels...waiting! |
The day after, we walked out half expecting water to be thrown at us, but sanity had returned. It was like nothing happened the previous day!
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Last lunch in Phuket |
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Last evening at Patong beach |
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Tiger bar, interesting seats ;) |
We went for a ping pong show...please check for yourself what that is. It is better seen than written about! Photos were not allowed so...
There was no slowing down through our stay in Phuket, the shows, the Islands, Bangla road, everything! It was such good fun and I would recommend it happily!
On the next trip to Thailand, we hope to go to Chiang Mai...
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BellaNaija
Thailand is definitely a destination I look forward to. Two places I'd love to see, the Phiphi Island, and unlike DiCaprio, I won't leave the Island (😂😂😂), and the other would be Bangla street. I have a reputation for being nocturnal.
ReplyDeleteMight I add, you've got a lovely way of telling a story, with powerful imagery, and the deliberate use of detailed narratives. Thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Ray. When you do visit Thailand, I would love to hear all about it.
DeleteYou're welcome. Will do.
ReplyDeleteWould love to visit Thailand someday soon.
ReplyDelete