As promised, I have finally gotten around to sorting and editing the hundreds of snaps of our travels to Thailand. I have decided to split this up into three parts as I have A LOT of photos and many things to tell you about! Trying to cram everything into just one post would just be all too overwhelming.
We arrived in Phuket on the 28th of January excited, exhausted and eager to explore. We stayed at Phuket Graceland's Resort and Spa in Patong Beach (around a one hour drive from the airport) a very gorgeous resort with a great location in my opinion. The main pool looks out upon the beach (as you can see in the first photo) which is literally a road crossing away. The hotel is on the far north side of Patong beach away from the hustle and bustle of Bangla Rd but still within walking distance. If I was to go back to Phuket, I would stay at Karon or Kata Beach (south of Patong) it was much more laid back, less people with better beaches more on that though in part two.
Both Corey and I couldn't sleep the first morning, maybe jetlag, maybe excitement whatever it was we decided to get up and go for a walk along the beach front and have a look around the streets. To our surprise the beach was deserted with only the odd early morning walker, we both looked at each other and said maybe we are in a quiet area so we continued walking but nothing changed and the streets were just as quiet. Come 12 noon though the place transforms, the beach is lined with rainbow coloured umbrella's occupied by bronzed sleepy tourists, the water turns into a water park for activities from jet skiing to parasailing and all in between, the streets become an outdoor shopping centre with pop up market stalls, locals pleading for you to eat at their restaurants or shouting 'massage, massage'. We soon realised that Patong was a place were the action took place at night, party all night and sleep all day or sunbake.
We quickly adapted to the Thai lifestyle with very slow mornings, spending our days sunbaking by the sky pool (which was the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the ocean) drinking at the swim up bar that made the best cocktail invented a 'mocha cappuccino frappe', (I'm drooling just thinking about it) getting pampered with either a manicure, pedicure or massage, walking the streets bartering (which is more fun than you think) and of course eating our way through the Thai cuisine, it was a tough 3 weeks I tell you, not! Might I add that the food is to die for, they just get the perfect balance of flavours and if you like your food hot Thailand is the place for you.
Bangla Rd is the place to go for a night out it really comes alive at night, the street is lined with bars from start to end. Street performers entertaining with all sorts of dress ups, magic tricks and dance moves. You will find yourself repeating the word no thankyou to many Taiwanese that shout 'Ping-Pong' show with menus in hand. It really is a cultural experience that has many intrigued. I recommend checking out the Aussie Bar on Bangla if your an Australian sports fan. We watched the Grand final of the Asian Cup here, even though I am not a massive fan of soccer I had such a great time. The bar was packed with a great atmosphere, many 'oo's' and 'ahh's' roared from the crowd, the food was delicious (I recommend the dumplings) and there was defiantly a few drinks shared among laughs.
I had seen so many beautiful photos of Phi Phi island and had been dreaming of it ever since we booked our trip. So we booked a speed boat tour which we bartered down to 1250 thai baht which is around $50 Australian. It included swimming at Maya Bay, viewing Monkey Island, Snorkelling off Phi Phi, Lunch on Phi Phi and finishing the day relaxing on Khai Island. Although I had an enjoyable day with my best friends, I would not do this tour again, instead catching a ferry to Phi Phi island to explore for myself. Don't get me wrong the islands were incredibly beautiful, crystal clear water and incredible views, it was just all very rushed and packed to the rafters with tourists. The snorkelling was a bit of a disaster with not much to see and very shallow waters, most people enduring cuts and the instructor standing on a sea urchin. The food we were served on the island was cold and very disappointing however the day was saved by a very entertaining lady boy tour guide.
Where is you next holiday destination?
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