Despite the not so perfect time to go on a beach trip, I booked a flight to Phuket one dull August afternoon, a decision I made rather impulsively. Because I think I believe in careful planning, I rationalize by thinking there’s no better time to go than now! I mean when fares are cheap… Hooray to off-season travels! In less than a week, I found myself in the midst of the crazy Bangla road.

Duration of the trip: 3 days, August 2015

Flight: I flew with Jetstar, flight duration from SG is 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Cost: S$107 for a return ticket.

Accommodation: I booked my stay at Ocean and Ole Hotel. I was not expecting anything fancy since the price is really cheap but it turned out to be a nice surprise. The room is pretty decent, plus the staff are really thoughtful and accommodating. The balcony on my room directly faces the balcony of the room on the opposite hotel which for me is a relief because I won’t feel so alone. The best thing about the hotel is its location. Just beside the Banzaan fresh market, I found it really convenient to get my seafood fix after a day of strolling. It’s also very near the Jungceylon Shopping Centre and Boxing Stadium.  It takes about 10 minutes to get to Patong Beach and the vibrant Bangla Road!

Cost: S$82 for 3 nights stay

Going around: I availed of a private city tour before arriving to save some time and effort since the places I wanted to visit are not connected to one another. The car can accommodate 1-3 people and you can even customize your itinerary so this is a good option for small groups. Because I was traveling solo, I tried to bargain for a lower price and Ms Thanya was so kind to give me a discount! For a more local experience, you may opt to hire a tuktuk, Phuket’s local version of the taxi, although this can be more expensive. Make sure you know what you’re paying before setting off. There are also buses running between Patong and Phuket town, you may check the timing from your hotel.

Cost: 1000 Baht (~S$40) for 6 hour Private city tour c/o Phuket SRC Travel

Island Hopping: And of course, no tour in Phuket will be complete without hopping on a boat to experience its beautiful and pristine islands. I wanted to see Maya Island most of all so I signed up for the Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands Tour. I decided to splurge a little bit on this one and joined the VIP tour, but there are more affordable choices available. ^^

Cost: 1800 Baht (~S$70) for Phi Phi/Bamboo Island Deluxe VIP Tour c/o Phuket Travel Company.

Day 1 – Island Hopping

I have no words for this beauty. I don’t think I even need one… ❤

I am not any good at swimming, even with a life jacket. So when we were at the snorkelling site, I was just standing there watching the people in the boat get off and get back. The tour guide kind of noticed and suddenly I’m in the water with their cameraman. He was taking video of the corals and fishes so I was able to see the most beautiful of them. Oh the perks of traveling solo. 🙂

I have a high standard for beaches, because we have a lot of good ones in the Philippines (and I’m not talking about Boracay), but the islands around Phuket exceeded my expectations! Sure it could be very touristy, but with good timing, you could have a very enjoyable and serene experience in here.

Day 2 – City Tour

Okay before you get so amazed, there are no magics or bone-breaking stunts going on around here. The floor I’m walking at is actually the ceiling. Now that’s confusing. You will enter through the roof which takes you directly to the attic then inside the house. Here you will realize that everything is attached to the ceiling so you just have to be creative to think of a pose that will make you look like you’re so good at it like Angelina J. and then rotate the photo. Fun right!

Next stop is the largest Buddhist temple in Phuket, Wat Chalong. There are several temples inside the complex. Tourists may go inside, but as in any place of worship, a certain level of respect is expected. Dress appropriately and remember to take off your shoes before entering. The best time to come is in the morning when the herd of tourists do not crowd the area yet. Just be prepared to the occasional loud banging from the firecrackers going off. It certainly scared me the first time. :3

From Wat Chalong you could have a bird’s eye view of the Buddha, it is that huge. But I hardly saw it during my visit because the hills were covered with fog.

The Big Buddha is one of the most iconic landmarks in Phuket. From here you will also get a breathtaking view of the beaches along the coast. I spent some time there just sitting, watching locals come and offer their prayers, and admiring the view.

The rain suddenly poured down in torrents while I was still in the viewing deck. It’s a long walk going back to the car and I didn’t have an umbrella. Fortunately, the driver realized I might need rescue and he was there in no time. I was really touched by this gesture. 🙂

We made a stop at the Karon viewpoint. You can see Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon beaches from here, except during this weather… It would have been a nice place to catch the sunset. 😦

We passed by Kata and Karon beaches on our way back to the hotel. We stopped for a while but I didn’t go out of the car anymore because it was still raining.

Day 3 – Lazy Day

I planned to just slow down and maybe take a short stroll along Patong Beach on the third day. However, the weather had not been so nice so I just stayed in the hotel room until check-out. Goodbye for now, Phuket! I’d be back, hopefully with someone tagged along. 🙂

xoxo