We rushed on this trip to Phuket, simply because of the lower air fare which came as an result of the worsening situation in Bangkok.
Day 1
Have to admit that I did worry a bit at first, but the cloud above my head completely vanished at the moment we walked out the airport. Outside in the waiting hall, our driver greets us with a big smile and the typical Thai-style “Sawadeekha~ ”. Looking around, I found that we were not the only one who dare to come during this harsh time…
Actually, there are plenty of taxis outside the airport, so shouldn’t be a problem if you didn’t pre-book a transfer.
It takes around 300 baht to Phuket. The rate is what displayed on the meter and plus 100 baht airport tax. The meter will start with a 50 baht display. You may stumble upon a freelance taxi driver who will take you from the Airport to Patong for the flat fee of 400 baht. If the driver is pleasant, you may want to ask for his mobile number for the return trip later. The same driver may take you from Patong to Phuket Town for 350 to 400 baht.
After about 1 hour’s driving, we reached our hotel –Royal Paradise, a 4 star hotel near Patong Beach. The hotel looks nice compared with other hotels in this area. They have royal wing rooms that face swimming pool and paradise wing that faces hill.
We quite enjoy our stay there, except that no bellboy help us with luggage; receptionists ineffective and never smile; little choice for breakfast and; my friend lost her watch in their lady’s room and no one seems to care!!!
After everything settled down, we went to the nearest shopping center for some daily necessities…My poor friend got her brand-new sunblock lotion confiscated when passing through the custom. This story tells us no need to pack too many things as you can easily buy here.
Around 15:00, we finally managed to Patong beach. As they all say beaches in Thailand are more beautiful than beaches elsewhere, and I think they are right about it.
Chair rental normally costs 100 Baht per chair per day, but we got a discount because we came in late afternoon. If you bring your own mat or sit on the sand it’s totally FREE:)
If you fond of water sports, activities like Parachuting, Banana Boat and Jet Ski are all reasonably charged.
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Day2
Early morning, we waited at hotel lobby for transfer to catch our ferry for one day Phi Phi Cruise Trip. The trip charges about 1000 Baht / person including land transfer, meal and cruise.
Phi Phi I am coming!!
On the cruise, we met Paul, a photographer from Boston and, Sato san who comes from Tokyo… And some of these nice pictures are contributed byPaul. Thanks for them, we had a nice talk to get by the long sailing. (I don’t know if we get on the slowest boat in Phuket, but surely we were passed by many boats that left harbor later than ours.)
Before lunch time, we stopped for snorkeling. The sea is crystal and beautiful. Unfortunately, I forgot my damn swimming suit in hotel!
P.S: There is a charge of 20Baht for entering Phi Phi.
After a set lunch in Phi Phi Hotel, we directly headed to the beach. It won’t take long to walk through this small island, but … Oh – My – Lady Gaga!!!! The beach in Phi Phi is just BEAUTIFUL!
From the beach, I felt like I could view the outline of Maya Bay. If you have ever seen the Hollywood blockbuster The Beach, starring by Leo Decaprio, there is where it was shot. Oh… I do hope he’s still there!
After a full body massage at the “happy life”, we had dinner in the celebrated “Number 6” (This is one of the highly recommended restaurants in phuket, you can find more from Phuket Travel Guide 
This restaurant really lives up to its high reputation. We had 6 BBQ oysters, 1 sour spicy fish, a full plate of prawns, fresh vegetables and other side dishes, and it only cost about 1000 Bhat+…oh, I almost forgot the coconuts…
Around 19.00 pm., we walked along Patong beach road to the night market and bars. While I was walking, I saw souvenir shops, clothes shops, restaurants. Now I understand why many tourists come to Phuket and especially Patong. You can see from the picture on the left.
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Day3
The last day, we rented a motorcycle and drove to Central festival in Phuket Town. 40 minutes driving from Patong area. For motorcycle is 200 Baht per 24hrs. However, the road is steep and winding, green-handeds are not encourage to risk their life…
Before leaving we went to “Happy Life” again. Highly recommend this massage house outside hotel Royal Paradise.
Bye bye, Phuket….I will be back soon:)
