Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Phuket 5D5N travel tips

First of all, if you don't enjoy beaches, sunshine or boating; try not to put Phuket in your travel list. If you have seasick, or hate sun tan; then you better choose to go other places.

I spent my unforgettable 5D5N in Phuket this Raya holiday. I'd enjoy myself to the fullest throughout the trip, and attempt to record anything that I can to be your complete travel guide to Phuket.

Before travelling :
1. check weather forecast few days before your travel dates. If it is expected to rain, remember to bring along umbrella or even disposable raincoat.
2. as expected, your hat, sunscreen & sunglasses.
3. a scarf or cardigan as well as long dress. For temple dress code, cold winds in the boat or even as a protection from harsh sunlight.
4. Leave your jeans or wedges behind. Wear slippers as well as tee shirts and shorts.

DAY 1 : (raining heavily)


Departed Sg airport and reached Phuket at 11am, in 1hr 40m time. Due to different time zone, we save 1hr. We put up in Loveli Boutique Guest House in Patong thru out our stay in Phuket. Since we are staying 5N there, we get a complimentary upgrade from superior to deluxe. They provides free pick-up from airport. It took us about an hour to reach Patong.

The owner of this guest house is also running a travel company. It's just at the ground floor of the building. To us, Andrew is the most attentive travel agent that we've ever met. He replied email real fast. If you look this up in Trip Advisor, you will see this guest house is highly recommended by many.



http://www.loveliguesthousephuket.com/room.html (make yr booking online and pay only 10% as deposit)
http://www.phukettravelcompany.com/ (arrange your trip after you check-in, as certain trip is very much depending on weather)


@It was raining heavily the day we arrived. Soi Banzaan turned into a river. Luckily the water subsided in 1-2 hours time.









After check-in, we planned our trips with Andrew. Get the itinerary set, payment done; there we go. We spent 4mins walked down the street to banzaan (market) to fill our stomach.

Dish 1: kuey teow ladna. Quite nice. Especially the kuey teow. When I chewed, my mouth was full with the rice fragrance.

Dish 2 : fried prawns. Nice too. Both dish 1 & dish 2 cost 170.-
 
Dish 3: Green curry chicken. 120.-


Here is the place we had our meal.











Afternoon Activity: Walking around to familiarize with the surrounding. Buy bottled mineral water from Jungceylon. (I usually buy bottled water during my trip as it is more convenient and cleaner)

Stalls outside Jungceylon selling nice (but expensive) souvenirs.
Nice floral hairclips.


Nite activity: Simon Carbaret (90mins) 600 baht per pax.
 
Pretty sexy lady boy posing after the show.

**If you do not prepare to spend more for tipping, never ever take photo with them after the show. I saw they asked for 200 baht per person. In case there are 3 of them taking photo together with you, you need to fork out 200.- x 3. 








DAY 2 (cloudy and light shower)
Itinerary :
* half day tour in the 1st half (1100 baht)
* walk around the beach in the 2nd half
* Phuket FantaSea with dinner at night (1800 baht)

 Elephant trekking
* If possible, please avoid this as I really feel pity to them. I have an impression that they are ill-treated by their 'driver'. Some use a sharp tool to knock on the elephant skull to control them.








Monkey show. Smart creature.











Snake show. Deadly kiss.












Visit the Big Buddha Temple.














 
 Visit Wat Chalong (a temple with two sacred monk whose has saved Phuket Island from the intruders long time ago)














 

Walked slowly to Patong Beach after we returned from our half day city tour.
 




No plan to go anywhere but thinking of chilling out and watching football match? There are many pubs along the streets in Patong. You won't be lonely as some of the bars are always full, e.g: Aussie Bars.



Patong beach.
 

Many stalls selling local delicacies.


 Phuket FantaSea (with buffet dinner) starts about 6pm plus.
 Entrance.
Wowed with the golden lighting. Feeling like inside a palace.



Theater where the play was held.

DAY 3: (perfect weather) 
Itinerary :
* James Bond Island / Phang Nga Bay Tour by Luxury Boat (1700 baht)

Depart to Phang Nga Bay

 Naka Island











If not mistaken, an umbrella with 2 lazy chair cost 150.-
 
Lunch on board.












Magnificient scenery of The Phang Nga National Park
 
Canoeing at Hong Island.














 Back to our boat after canoeing. Canoe by local. * Please get ready small change as your tour guide may asked for your generousity to give the canoe man some tips










Finally we are here. James Bond Island.
Amazing earth power. I believe something happened some time ago. The hill was cleanly 'cut' into half.
 


Sunset on our way back to the pier. 


 
Sunset take 2.














Dinner around 8:30pm. Very hungry.
Dish 1 - Kam Heong Lala.
 


Dish 2: Garlic Prawn





Dish 3: Chicken Fried Rice

 

DAY 4: (Perfect weather: Sunny) 
Day * Phi Phi Maya Bay and Bamboo Island by Speedboat (1700.-)
Night * Bangla Road Pubs & Bars
 

Perfect weather to kick start the day.  No snorkelling if the weatheris bad.
 

 View from the pier.
 Arrived Phi Phi Ley.
 Many of our tour-mate can't wait to swim here.

Crystal clear water and sandy beach. Famous Maya Bay, where movie The Beach was filmed here.

Snorkelling at Pileh Lagoon

My room mate feeding fish with Oreo.











Monkey Beach

Having lunch @ Phi Phi Don.











 Another round of snorkelling in clear water. There is no coral reefs but many sea urchins.







Instead of snorkelling, we just enjoyed the nice scenery and taking photos.










Lastly, Khai Island.

 Rocks formation. #1

Rocks formation on the beach line. #2














 

Again, back to banzaan for dinner.






DAY 5: (raining heavily from day to night)
* Free & Easy


Since it was raining heavily, the only place we can hang out is -- Jungceylon Mall. If you still needs physical workout other than walking, you can play bowling or have a few games of snooker.

 Cute figurine.
Metal Art. Take 1.
 Metal Art. Take 2.
 Metal Art. Take 3.
 Metal Art. Take 4.
At ground floor of Jungceylon, it's like our central market; selling wide varieties of local products.

 

Blink-blink.....make a great souvenir.


Steam grouper and white tomyam soup for dinner. Ah?! my tomyam soup photo is missing.
 
DAY 6 : flight return to MYS in the early morning.
 
Andrew helped us on arranging transport to airport. Taxi fee is 600.-  We heard from our driver that many tourist missed their flight the day before due to the heavy rain. Many roads were flooded and cars could not enter that area for pick up.
 
* For those who wants to buy Bangkok Bag, you may buy it at airport Duty Free shop as the cost is much lower than those sell in the mall (some even cheaper by half). However, the variety maybe lesser compare to outside.