Monday, 16 April 2007

Phuket Bike Week & Songkran Fest '07

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Singapore - Patong
Day 2: Patong - Karon - Kata - Rawai - Chalong - Khao Rang
Day 3: Patong - Phuket Town - Sirey - Panwa - Promthep
Day 4: Patong - Karon
Day 5: Karon - Singapore


Route Map


THE JOURNEY

I managed to get a good deal for my Jetstar air ticket in January with a $9 one-way ticket, costing a total of S$141 for a return ticket with taxes. This is my 4th consecutive year in Thailand celebrating the Songkran Festival (water festival), with the previous years at Phuket & Hatyai (2004), Hatyai (2005) & Phuket (2006). Furthermore, this is also my 6th visit to Phuket, hence I'll write less but show more pictures instead!



DAY 1 (12 April 2007, Thursday)

On arrival at Phuket International airport, we hired a cab for 420bahts to Patong Beach Lodge at Patong area. Its a simple hotel with basic ammenities at quite a good rate of 581Baht per room per night.
Swimming Pool

From our hotel, it's a short walk to Jungceylon - Phuket's latest mall.
Jungceylon
Jungceylon
Jungceylon
Jungceylon
Jungceylon

Jen, alwasy so busy
Jen

Fern, Jen & Novi
Jungceylon

Patong... still the same after 10yrs!
Patong
Patong Beach

Pre-songkran already begun at Soi Bangla!
Soi Bangla
Water war

On bike also can shoot
On bike also can shoot

Lining up for action
Lining up for action

Kena attacked!
Kena attacked

Thanks for getting me wet!
Cheerful lady

I decided to get a water gun to start Songkran Festival with.
Buying a water gun

Here's my new weapon!
My new weapon

Made some new friends
Friends
Friends

The rest of the guys who rode their bike up from Singapore has arrived, and we linked up for dinner on Day 1 at Patong.
Dinner with bikers



DAY 2 (13 April 2007, Friday)

Today is Songkran Day!!! Novi and me got up early to go outside to find a car rental to explore the island. It's a good way to remain dry and yet experience Songkran around Phuket. We got a Suzuki 4WD for 800Baht, delivered to our hotel, sounds cool eh, so out we go!
Our rented 4WD

Kata Viewpoint
Kata Viewpoint

The route to the Weather Station
Road to Weather Station

View from Weather Station
View from Weather Station

Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong

Fern & Jen
Fern & Jen

Chalong Bay
Chalong Bay
Chalong Bay

Songkran celebration around Phuket
Songkran
Songkran
Songkran
Songkran
Songkran
Songkran

Kalim Beach
Kalim Beach
Kalim Beach

Phuket Fantasy
Phuket Fantasy

Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach

Surin Beach
Surin Beach

Khao Rang Viewpoint at night
Khao Rang Viewpoint



DAY 3 (14 April 2007, Saturday)

Morning activity after breakfast include a short visit to the Jungle Bungy Jump.
Bungy Jump
Novi getting ready

Due to the hotel running on FULL OCCUPANCY, we had to move to another hotel, which was pre-booked prior to arrival in Phuket. We got a room at the Grand Tropicana Hotel, a pretty nice hotel, for 1400Baht per room per night.
Grand Tropicana Hotel
Nice pool

Soon we return the car and rented a Yamaha Nouvo for 150Baht to continue our island exploration.
Yamaha Nouvo

Linked up for a short ride with other bikers




Julian & Jen
Julian & Jen

Kenny
Kenny

What is Julian doing????
Julian is crazy!

Our group picture at Phuket Abalone Farm
Group picture

Tukkae Bay
Tukkae Bay

Phuket Aquarium
Phuket Aquarium

Panwa Cape
Panwa Cape
Panwa Cape

At a local market
Mangos
Rice
Asparagus

Rawai Beach
Rawai Beach

Phromthep Cape
Lighthouse at Phromthep Cape
Phromthep Cape

At the windmill
Windmill

Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach

From Sunset Viewpoint
sunset
sunset
sunset

Phuket Bike Week 2007
PBW 2007
You'll never ride alone
Cutie car or cutie bike??
JD girls
JD girl



DAY 4 (15 April 2007, Sunday)

The next day we decided to move to a quiter and nicer location in Karon Beach, the Hilton Phuket Arcadia. Karon Beach is in contrast to the busy location in Patong Beach area. One word sums up everything about the property - marvellous!
Hilton Phuket
Hilton Phuket

Lobby Area
Lobby Area

Sails Coffee House
Sails Coffee House

Swimming Pool
Pool
Floating on the pool

Inside the hotel room
Bedroom
Toilet
Toiletries
Swan Towel

Seaview Room
Sea View
Sea View

Karon Beach
Karon Beach
Karon Beach
Sunset
Sunset

At night in Karon
Pubs in Karon
Killing boredom with games



DAY 5 (16 April 2007, Monday)

We spent the day lazing around the hotel and hired a cab to the airport for 600Baht before catching the flight back to Singapore from Phuket International Airport.



MORE PHOTOS
Click here



FAST FACTS

Air ticket: $141
Accomodation: S$49
Car & bike rental + petrol: S$37
Taxi & tut tut: S$29
Shopping, food & miscellaneous: S$267
TOTAL EXPENDITURE: S$523



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

Phuket Bike Week
http://www.phuketbikeweek.com/



MAPS

http://www.phuket-maps.com/

http://www.phuket-info.com/maps.htm