Sawadee.....................
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Singapore - Phuket
Day 2: Phuket island riding
Day 3: Phuket island riding
Day 4: Rest and relax
Day 5: Phuket - Singapore
DAY 1 (09 April 2011, Saturday)
After much talk about visiting Chiangmai for Songkran, we ended up in Phuket once again due to great airfare deals at just SGD58/nett for two-ways inclusive of taxes. Most of the regular kakis gathered again for another year in Phuket, at our regular hotel, for this annual event. Songkran Festival in Phuket is an annual event where there is no need to plan, nor organise.... the regular kakis will all book their own flight and accommodation, and we will gather together for motorbike riding and water splashing fun!
Flight 3K533 arrived in Phuket at 0915hrs Thai local time, and the 11 of us shared a mini bus to Patong Beach Lodge for 1200Baht. As the hotel does not have room availability at the moment, we dropped our luggages and went over to Jungceylon for shopping to top up our room with drinks and snacks.
Lunch at Dang Restaurant
Our rooms at Patong Beach Lodge was finally available at 1400hrs.
In the evening, we rented a Yamaha Mio motorbike to ride to Phuket Central for BBQ Steamboat for 129Baht. The food variety and spread is huge!!! It has cooked food like pork knuckles, fish cakes, sushi, etc on top of the BBQ steamboat items. The traditional Thai pot/pan is fueled with charcoal instead of gas.
DAY 2 (10 April 2011, Sunday)
It is riding day! We got ourselves ready with lots of sunblock for the ride around Phuket island, taking on the curvy twisties along the coastal road leading to Kamala Beach. Fantastic and scenic ride!
All set to go!
Lao da topless and proud of his figure!
The group photo at Kalim Beach
Overlooking the clear waters of the Andaman Sea
Phuket Fantasea - A legend once said 'if you haven't been to Phuket Fantasea, you have not been to Phuket!!! Oooops...... guess who said that?
Temple along Thepkasattri Road
After a long ride under the hot sunny weather, its chill out time at Central Festival
Lunch in Central Festival
And then into Phuket Town for water gun purchase, to prepare ourselves for Songkran Festival tomorrow
Some serious negotiations on mass purchase!!!
Phuket's Big Buddha sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata, and at 45 metres high it is easily seen from far away. It offers the best 360-degree views of the island, overlooking Phuket Town, Kata, Karon beaches, Chalong Bay, Cape Phromthep, Ao Makham and more.
Heading southwards leads to Rawai Beach
At the southern end of Phuket, Phrom Thep is famous as a place to enjoy spectacular sunsets. Just two kms from Rawai Beach, the cape has tall cliffs from which one can see Ko Gaew in the distance and the fascinating coastline of Nai Han Beach on the right.
Dinner at Laem Hin Seafood Restaurnt on the Kelong
If you like bargain-hunting and don’t mind a bit of hustle and bustle, why not try a real-life market by stepping off the tourist track and rubbing shoulders with hundreds of like-minded Thais and expat residents? At the Chao Fa weekend market, there is something for everyone!
DAY 3 (11 April 2011, Monday)
Waking up late, we made our way to Ab-Zab Restaurant for lunch, overlooking the Kalim Bay. It sits at the cliff, with a stunning view of the Andaman Sea.
Phuket Bike Week 2011
Cape Sienna, with a stunning view of the Kamala Bay
Panaroma stitch of Nakalay Bay, Patong Beach and Kalim Beach.
Stunning view of the Laem Sing Beach, walking down 7-storeys from the cliff off Route 4233
A very interesting Portable Bar in Patong
Sunset on Paradise Beach
And here we are, back to my all-time favourite local restaurant in Phuket Town
Back in Patong after dinner, we went to chill out at Thong Sa-Nga Garden for a round of drinks and pool games. It lies on a very quiet street behind Patong Beach, with a stretch of local bars and pubs that opens till the wee hours of the early morning.
DAY 4 (12 April 2011, Tuesday)
It's the beginning of the water festival in Patong, where everyone begins splashing water at passerbys on foot or on bikes/cars. While we prefer not to get wet so early, we decided to stay in the hotel, chilling out at the poolside, enjoying ourselves with beer/wine and some finger food.
In the evening, we had dinner nearby, and then proceed over to Coyote Mexican Restaurant for some mmrgarita cocktails.
DAY 5 (13 April 2011, Wednesday)
Waking up to Songkran Day, everyone was super excited, all fully-loaded with water weapons, ready for the water war! We had a group photo at the hotel lobby prior to move out.
Water splashing along the streets on the way to Soi-Bangla
Fire hose splashing at the party stage in front of Jungceylon
Fire engine supplying free-flow of water to the party-goers right in the middle of Soi-Bangla
Husband day care centre.... anyone???? :p
The most happening street in Patong - Soi Bangla
Lunch at Dang Restaurant
In the evening, Michael rented a car to send me to the airport... so touched!!!
We had a slow drive along the coastal road to the airport, and stopped at a nearby stall near the airport for dinner. The steamed chicken and beef noodle soup is simply fantastic!
With this last meal in Phuket, I end my trip on Jetstar 3K538 back to Singapore, while the rest of the group had various departure date/timing in the couple of days.
MORE PHOTOS
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FAST FACTS
Travel Insurance: $25
Flight (SIN-HKT-SIN): $58
Accomodation (4 nights): $145
Transport: $5
Bike Rental: $17
Petrol: $13
Food & beverage: $170
Shopping & miscellaneous: $80
TOTAL EXPENDITURE: S$513
EXCHANGE RATE
S$1.00 = 23.48Baht
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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