Phuket - A Famous tourist place with Serene beaches

Our Phuket Trip

What comes to your mind when you hear about Phuket? Beaches and beaches and beautiful beaches... Yes, you are correct! It has some of the best beaches and island across the world.

This visit was my first visit to Thailand and all thanks to my hubby that in between his really busy work schedule, he somehow managed to take leave from office, and as he really wanted to visit Phuket, so here we made plans during his birthday in November.

We booked our flight tickets a month before from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket. We boarded the evening flight from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket which was a 2 hour flight, so we reached Phuket at night, and (for visa at arrival) at immigration, we filled the form and paid visa fee of 2100 THB per person,  and the airport officers made us pass via the express line. Then while in search for cabs to the town,  found that can get only a mini bus going from airport to Patong area at that time. There were two mini bus desk set up and they charged 180 THB/person. Many tourists were waiting there, after 10 mins, a person came and asked us to follow him to the bus. Our luggage were kept at the back of the mini bus and we drove towards the town, but midway -that was around a half an hour drive, the bus driver stopped the bus at a Travel agency shop and asked us to get down. As I already read about it beforehand- that these drivers have tie up with agency and they want passengers to buy tickets from them, and the price is bit higher; So we didn't buy from them. After 15 mins of halt, he drove us to the town finally. Best part was, drivers ask about your hotel beforehand and dropped us right in front of the hotel.

And here comes the 'Lucky Patong Hotel' reception, where to our surprise a foreigner man 'Peter' greeted us, asked the booking details and offered a welcome drink. Peter was really generous. He provided us the key and took us to our room, it was already late, but then also we went out to find out about the tour packages, as for any island tour we need to reserve by making the payment, a day before itself. But somehow we were stuck because of all money exchanges shop being closed and ATM were not supporting our cards, and travel agents not accepting credit cards.

Ohh ghoosshhhh.... (It was a lesson for us to always carry sufficient cash, and not actually cash, the local currency of the country  ;)

We explored the nearby area, wherein found a Temple, then returned back to the hotel, badly tired, went to our room and relaxed. As was about to be 12 o'clock,  I arranged for knife plate and lighter for my loves' birthday. Good that I got cake, few decorative, Gift and Chocolates from KL itself. At sharp 12 am midnight in the hotel room, celebrated his birthday.

In Patong area

Next day morning, had buffet breakfast provided by the hotel and just near by to our hotel, we went to the tour agent shop and booked the half day city tour. We explored the nearby area, had a nice English lunch.

At 1 pm the mini bus came, there were already 6 people in it, the tour guide was a very friendly local Thai lady, they took us to:

Karon Beach View Point- It's on the small hill top, from where you can get the awesome view of the Karon beach.

Phuket Zoo, wherein there were many a animals kept and at the backyard, there were few big elephants wherein we did Safari ride on elephant over a big up and down trail. 

Big Buddha - Big Buddha is on nearby a small hill top. You will have to climb up few stairs to reach to the main Buddha temple area. There are few Buddhist monks inside who keeps reciting their prayers. It was really nice. 

Wat Chalong temple - It's a big area wherein there are 3-4 wats/temples. Luckily when we went it was evening and nice weather to explore the whole area. These temples mainly have beautiful golden work on it.

• Cashew nut Farm - I enjoyed it, wow, especially I saw the cashew fruit for the first time, and how it's roasted and broken to take out the cashew; there were so many varieties of cashews, you can try it and whichever you like, can pay and purchase.

• Honey Farm - They show different variety of honey, just make sure you visit before 6:30pm, otherwise it gets closed.

• Food street - there were so many stalls put across, we can try few dishes before ordering and it was reasonably priced as well. They have put across chairs and tables in open to grab your food and sit and eat. Also, at night there's a traditional musical drama that happens and it's very interesting to watch a musical war dance between a men and a women. I ordered the local fried Thai noodles and it was quite good.

Then we walked at the Bangla Street having a glaze of this stunning local market ;) and there in between the street, a group of young boys and a girl started playing rock music and within 5 mins they started with non stop half an hour of dance performance, everyone was stunned with their really fantastic fast dance. Then we walked down to our hotel. You will find many a restaurants, pubs and shows  happening the whole night at Bangla Street. 

Next day, that's 2nd day morning:

We got ready by 7am, quickly grabbed bread butter and boarded the mini bus for "Phi Phi Island Tour" (charged 1400THB/person), I was so excited as we booked whole day trip, it was my first ride on the speed boat. The mini bus took us to the jetty point, wherein many other tourists were waiting, chit chatting, applying sun screen, kinda getting ready, I thought "what's happening around, all getting geared up and just waiting to board", and then a big fat guy came in front of all of us and started speaking  "I and this another man will be with you guys for the whole tour period, you will get water, fruits, Cold drinks on boat, and you will be provided lunch on an island. Pick sea sickness tablets if anyone have any."  And while pointing towards the mouth object and fins, said "the ground below the sea has pointed rocks and insects, so one must take it, just at a cost of 100THB". Me and my husband discussed and finally decided not to take it. We all followed them then to the speed boat. We both took the side seat almost nearby to the driver.

And there started our ride! Initially the driver drove carefully as was taking the boat out of the area, and with normal speed took us to : 

Maya Bay - I couldn't believe my eyes, it was just damn crowded, but when I got down in the water and looked around, it was a mesmerizing view, the crystal clear light blue water just took away both of our hearts. Basically, its beach is small and few areas on this Island were also closed.

After half an hour, we rode nearby to a 10 mins distance in between the ocean - Pi Leh Cove, surrounded far off by mountain, and the guide announced that we are gonna do snorkelling and swimming here, and distributed the water eye wear. We wore it and along with max passengers, got into the water. I swam first, then my hubby came. It was once difficult for me to be stable in water and swim due to the life Jacket. So, we just swam near by the boat roap, in-between was holding it whenever we were getting imbalance. It was a nice experience to see below the clear water of the ocean till the Rock bottom with few colourful fishes, along with huge fishes, and 2-3 people actually went deep down till the bottom.

After 20mins,we got back to the boat. This time someone sat in our place, and the only seat available was the first middle seat, I was like it's ok, as they were mid above age and was not feeling comfortable, so we sat right in the front seat and the boat started. Then it was a real wavy ride and water pouring over us, because it was a speed boat meant to drive with full speed. OMG... that ride was just hilarious. We all passengers couldn't stop laughing, bit worried but enjoying this ride full-on. Then the boat drove us to the other famous 'Phi Phi Lae Island' ,where are the world famous Paradise emerald clear sea.

Boat was then sea parked near Viking Cave, found it to be so so.

They stopped at Phi Phi Island for lunch and took us to a restaurant, wherein we had spread across buffet lunch. Food was really good.

We departed to 'Monkey Island' and the boat was Sea parked as it was high tide. That high tide ride was really adventurous. The boat was shaking and we were literally jumping when the boat was riding opposite to this high tide. Everyone held the sides of the seat tightly, covering themselves with there Towel/ cloth to cover themselves from the water splashing on all of us.

By the time we reached 'Khai Island', the waves were low. Explored Khai Island end to end, It's a beautiful Island with blending white sand and clear water. People were swimming and enjoying in the water along with plentiful coral and plenty of colourful fishes.

Finally, we departed from Khai Island to the Pier, and transferred back to our hotels.

Here, The worst part was my new One plus 3T cell phone was dead. We guessed, was because of the sea water drops went inside it during speed boat travel, as the water was splitting all over. My hubby was really worried and as soon as we reached hotel, we tried charging the phone for few minutes, but it didn't get charge, instead after sometime heated up, so we took out and researched over net about it. Meanwhile I got hair dryer and from a bit far off, blow warm air near the phone's charging point, but all in vain at that moment. (Note: Always put your phone in water proof bag and make sure sea water doesn't get in it).

As we had another unknown day ahead of us, so we went out for dinner, came and slept finally.

Here comes the third day, and we ready for our another adventurous 'James Bond Island Tour' on Big Boat. Grabbed breakfast quickly, by the time mini bus came to pick us up. Today it was a different port (know as 'Pier' in Thai), with many a shops nearby and few real smart people along with us ;P . The guide said he's waiting for 2 more people to join us, so without wasting time we both walked to nearby shops and found varieties of hats, water bags, mobile water proof bag, goggles, cloths, and many other stuffs.

As soon as they came, Guide guided us over a well built kinda small port called 'Ao Por Pier', and down to it's stairs which lead us to our Big Boat. This one was double Decker boat and really very different, we all were made to sit up, I took over a middle seat. This was a easy going boat, and this lot of bunch was very varied, having people from Africa, Arab, Britain, Singapore, China, America, Europe. I just enjoyed interacting with many of these graceful and smart personalities.

With a swift ride, we reached 'Panak Island' and by canoeing with a expert we were transferred to Canoe and was taken inside the 'Diamong Cave'.

It was so much fun, but as soon as we entered this deep dark cave, It was all silent, just the sound of water, and and and when he canoed us to the end, and the canoe touched the walls of this mountainous cave, truly speaking I was bit scared as it was all dark and no one inside at that particular moment. At that moment, the guide switched on his head light and showed us few bats hanging on top. While sailing back, when I saw the light, then finally I was relaxed and started enjoying :P

Then he canoed us towards 'Hong Phang Nga'. This view was so Serene which beautified my soul. I felt in love with this canoe ride in the lap of nature. This is a must do when you are in Phuket. 😍

We boarded back to our double decker big boat.  Buffet lunch was spread across within 10mins on board, and we ate while cruising across the sea:) The food was freshly cooked in the boat on 1st level, and believe me, all the dishes (almost 15 varieties) were just delicious. Mouth watering.... Mammaa miaaaa.... 

While everyone finished their lunch i.e., in 45 mins we reached 'James Bond Island'. The weather became cloudy and we were asked to come back within half an hour, we got down and walked around, clicked pics, it was nice.

Next they took us nearby a isolated Island and left us to enjoy our "me time" and enjoy swimming and canoeing. Here my hubby was super active and took out a canoe and we both sat with two padels and started canoeing. We by ourselves canoed around the sea then went to that Island, sat for a while, and I tried swimming in the sea, it was tough, couldn't do much as the water was very salty, it was a real fun. Canoeing is bit difficult and taught me that "one needs a very good arm strength and sense of which direction you want to go so that you push the canoe paddle correctly in the right direction". 

Finally the boat sailed back and on our way back we got 2 guys from Singapore who were also returning back to KL with the same flight as ours, and we had a nice long chat with them. From the pier, the mini bus dropped us to our hotels.

We got fresh and walked by the patong beach and did some shopping. Got freeze magnets and dresses.

The next day early morning at 5am, along with those 2 Singaporeans we headed towards the airport for our return flight. Here I say- bye bye to Phuket.