As holiday makers celebrated the Songkran at hometowns upcountry, Bangkok's khao san Road continued to buzzing yesterday especially when the red-shirted protesters move to Rajaprasong Intersection. The rate of tourists' room booking there was 90 per cent. However, Phuket remains unaffected with huge influx of tourist and bikers coming from nearby countries to celebrate Phuket Bike Week and Songkran Festival.
Sawadee.....................
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Singapore - Phuket
Day 2: Phuket island tour
Day 3: Free and easy around Patong
Day 4: Songkran Festival in Patong
Day 5: Phuket - Singapore
The Preparation
While I was backpacking in Chengdu last August, I happened to stay in a Youth Hostel with wifi connection. On checking my email that morning, I chance across Jetstar's promotional rates for advance bookings to Phuket. I jumped on the opportunity and made my bookings on the spot for a S$48 airfare for a return ticket to Phuket inclusive of all taxes and administrative charges.
As this was my 15th visit to Phuket and my 7th Songkran in Thailand, there is nothing much to plan for, except for the usual routine of enjoying the company of my regular Songkran mates.
DAY 1 (10 April 2010, Saturday)
Arriving in Phuket on flight 3K537 at 2230hrs Thai local time, we took a taxi to Patong Beach Lodge for 450Baht. As usual, all of us (about 40pax, 20 rooms) were staying at the Patong Beach Lodge, occupying about a third of the entire hotel availability!
After checking in, we took a walk out for late night supper. How could a visit to Thailand be without having Tom Yum Soup, Phad Thai, and seafood fried rice coupled with Singha Beer?
DAY 2 (11 April 2010, Sunday)
We gathered during breakfast at the lobby cafe. Some of them had plans to go for island hopping, Thai massage and shopping, while the remaining 15 of us decided to head out to island touring on a rented motorbike. I rented a decent Honda Airblade 125cc automatic scooter for 220Baht, and off we setoff at 1100hrs.
Stopping for a group photo at Karon Beach
Ascend to the top of Kata Viewpoint
View of Nai Harn Noi Beach and Promthep Cape
The riding kakis
On the way upslope towards Promthep Cape, I encountered a flat tyre and have to push on to the nearest tyre repair shop in Rawai Beach, which is about 4km away. Paid 160Baht for the tube replacement and I am on my way again!
We stopped at this seafood restaurant in Rawai Beach because this lady was waving at Kenny!
Lunch was pretty good, with a good mix of variety.
After lunch under the scorching hot sun, we made our way uphill to the Big Buddha which is still not fully completed.
Few kilometres down the hill from the Big Buddha is Wat Chalong, the most visited temple on Phuket.
After a hot day of riding under the hot sun, it's time to chill out at the Central Festival Mall in the cool air-conditioned mall!
View of Phuket Town from Rang viewpoint
Dinner at this local Thai coffeeshop which is very popular with the Thai locals. The variety is great, food is good (which I have eaten here in 2007), however the experience could be better if the staffs can speak some English for the ease of ordering.
Chilli fried clams with basil
Stir fried vegetable
Stir fried prawn with mushroom
Deep fried silver fish
Tom Yum goong
Deep fried intestines - the best dish of the night!
After dinner, we had a relaxing ride back to Patong where we visited the Phuket Bike Week exhibition and live band at the beach.
Food stalls at the night market
Back at the hotel, its time to savour some choya after a clean shower!
DAY 3 (12 April 2010, Monday)
As we didn't plan for any program today, we simply just laze around and had some fun at the swimming pool after breakfast.
Stopped by Jungceylon for late lunch, as well as some shopping.
Water splashing for Songkran has already begun, however we still rented a Yamaha Mio for 200Baht to get to Nanai Buffet BBQ for BBQ steamboat dinner at 129Baht. We were almost completely drenched by the water pouring by the time we arrived at the restaurant.
DAY 4 (13 April 2010, Tuesday)
This is the day we were all waiting for. We met at 1230hrs at the hotel lobby for a group photo before moving out together for water war.
Along the way from the hotel to Soi Bangla, there were lots of cross fire with the water guns and pails of water!
Morals were high, and as per previous years, we stationed ourselves at the same bar at Soi Bangla, so that we have constant water source.
This guy is seen annually in the same outfit!!!
Ladyboys in action!
Later in the afternoon, we moved to Junceylon, and then to Lamai Inn for more water-splashing fun.
Wait!!! Here's some super hero characters!!! Superman, Ryu, Ken, Sagat, Vega, etc!!!
DAY 5 (14 April 2010, Wednesday)
It was the last day of the trip and we had to check out at 1200hrs. As Michael is leaving the next day, we left our baggages at his room and headed out for Thai massage, manicure and pedicure. Massage was 250Baht an hour, while mani + pedi was 300Baht.
We had KFC at Jungceylon and some last minute shopping before heading back to Michael's room for a quick shower. At about 1730hrs, we headed to Oishi Seafood (at Index Living Mall) for Japanese buffet dinner, which caters to busloads of tourists. They offer all-you-can-eat Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisine at just 399Baht.
After dinner, it was another 30 minutes on the road before arriving at the airport to catch our flight back to Singapore on 3K538.
See you at Songkran 2011!
MORE PHOTOS
Click Here
VIDEO
Songkran Festival in Phuket
FAST FACTS
Air tickets: $48
Accomodation: $61
Transport: $31
Food & drinks: $90
Massage, manicure & pedicure: $24
Shopping & miscellaneous: $54
TOTAL EXPENDITURE: S$308
EXCHANGE RATE
S$1.00 = 23.00Baht
TRAVEL GUIDES / NEWS / MAGAZINES
Phuket Bike Week
http://www.phuketbikeweek.com/
Phuket Beaches Guide
http://www.phuket.com/island/beaches.htm
Things to do in Phuket
http://www.phuket.com/activities/index.htm
Phuket Fantasea
http://www.phuket-fantasea.com/
Weather Forecast in Phuket
http://thai.wunderground.com/global/stations/48565.html
Phuket Gazette
http://www.phuketgazette.net/currency/currency.asp
Phuket Today
http://www.phuket-photos.com/frameme.php?page=phuket-tidal-wave.htm
Safety Tips
http://www.phuket.net/visit-phuket/tips/safety.htm
Medical Facilities in Phuket
http://www.phuket.net/visit-phuket/tips/hospitals.htm
MAPS
http://www.phuket-maps.com/
http://www.phuket-info.com/maps.htm
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