The island of Phuket in southern Thailand is one of the most exotic holiday destinations in the world. You get tourists from all over the world and with good reason too, considering the beauty of this island. What amazed me first, and still does after many years, is the friendliness and the relaxed approach of the locals, which really rubs off on most visitors.
Being close to the Equator, be prepared for a (fair) bit of rain, particularly if you go in the low season, which is from May/June until November. However it is warm all year round, hence its luscious vegetation.
Phuket managed to survive the tsunami in December 2004, which caused lots of casualties and untold damage to property and local businesses. The island is shaking off its dodgy nightlife reputation, appealing more and more to couples and families.
Things to see, people to do
Beach hopping:
There are so many beautiful, pristine beaches on Phuket that it’d be a shame not to visit at least a few of them. Nai Harn, Rawai, Nai Yang, Kata, Karon, Laem Singh… the list is endless. The sand is almost white, the water is so clear that you can see small fish swimming everywhere. Most of these beaches have a few little basic restaurants, where you can get freshly cooked seafood. Hire a deckchair and lie down sipping a nice cold drink…. trust me, life doesn’t get much better than that.
Going down…. Diving & Snorkelling:
You definitely need to dive when you're in Phuket. Its coral reef is just amazing and there are many dive sites. Decide where you want to go first, because the dive operators, I think, are booking on the same pool of boats, meaning it works like an alliance, even though they are actually competing. There are many options available so you have to decide where you want to go first and for how long. Then it's best to talk to the people at the dive centers for a best schedule for yourself. Most of the time, the packages on the site are what they tell you about but you can negotiate and discuss with them when you get to Phuket itself.
Phuket Fantasea:
it is a 140 acre theme park, with loads of activities and entertainment, a festival village with carnivals, games, handicrafts and shopping, plenty of things to blow your money on. As a spectacle it is certainly amazing with 30 or so elephants, mock battles, pyrotechnics and aerial ballet in an auditorium that seats 2,000 just part of the entertainment. It is certainly not for serious students of Thai culture, but is a beautifully choreographed and delightful piece of theatre. The one and a half hour show is fantastic, great sound and light effects, (even if the story is hard to follow at times) and suitable for all ages.
Filling your gullet
Being close to the Equator, be prepared for a (fair) bit of rain, particularly if you go in the low season, which is from May/June until November. However it is warm all year round, hence its luscious vegetation.
Phuket managed to survive the tsunami in December 2004, which caused lots of casualties and untold damage to property and local businesses. The island is shaking off its dodgy nightlife reputation, appealing more and more to couples and families.
Things to see, people to do
Beach hopping:
There are so many beautiful, pristine beaches on Phuket that it’d be a shame not to visit at least a few of them. Nai Harn, Rawai, Nai Yang, Kata, Karon, Laem Singh… the list is endless. The sand is almost white, the water is so clear that you can see small fish swimming everywhere. Most of these beaches have a few little basic restaurants, where you can get freshly cooked seafood. Hire a deckchair and lie down sipping a nice cold drink…. trust me, life doesn’t get much better than that.
Going down…. Diving & Snorkelling:
You definitely need to dive when you're in Phuket. Its coral reef is just amazing and there are many dive sites. Decide where you want to go first, because the dive operators, I think, are booking on the same pool of boats, meaning it works like an alliance, even though they are actually competing. There are many options available so you have to decide where you want to go first and for how long. Then it's best to talk to the people at the dive centers for a best schedule for yourself. Most of the time, the packages on the site are what they tell you about but you can negotiate and discuss with them when you get to Phuket itself.
Phuket Fantasea:
it is a 140 acre theme park, with loads of activities and entertainment, a festival village with carnivals, games, handicrafts and shopping, plenty of things to blow your money on. As a spectacle it is certainly amazing with 30 or so elephants, mock battles, pyrotechnics and aerial ballet in an auditorium that seats 2,000 just part of the entertainment. It is certainly not for serious students of Thai culture, but is a beautifully choreographed and delightful piece of theatre. The one and a half hour show is fantastic, great sound and light effects, (even if the story is hard to follow at times) and suitable for all ages.
Filling your gullet
Trying to cater for everyone’s taste, Phuket offers every sort of eaterie, Thai and international. Although I try hard, I still fail to understand why anyone would travel halfway across the globe to have some spag bol or a cheeseburger, particularly when the local cuisine is so good. Therefore I will only recommend a couple of Thai food places below.
Savoey Seafood:
Located on Beach Road in Patong (the most touristy resort in Phuket), Savoey offers a wide selection of seafood... fish, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, clams etc.. you name it (and they all have it). The place is usually full during dinner time in high season. Price differs on the size and weight, and service is (almost) impeccable however it’s fair to say that this is not the cheapest place in town. Suffice to say that members of the Thai royal family are rumoured to eat here when in town.
Chiang Rai Seafood:
pretty much like Savoey…. only 3 or 4 times cheaper. Located at the back of the Tiger complex, just off the (in)famous Bangla Road, CR gives you the opportunity to pick your choice from a wide display of fresh seafood at the entrance of this restaurant. You then pick your preferred sauce / cooking method from the menu and 15 minutes later it’s ready in front of you. Yum yum :-) Your (short) wait will be much more amenable if you get a fresh coconut to sip before food arrives on your table.
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