Feb 28, 2006 03:53 AM
5905 Views
(Updated Feb 28, 2006 04:47 PM)
pure white sand, deep blue waters and a golden sun setting in the backdrop
Can anything be more beautiful?
My experience:
I had the good fortune of visiting Phuket in early February this year. I had read that it was one of the places worst hit by the tsunami but the official website said that everything was fine now. Taking that advice with a pinch of salt, I set out with hope!
I was awestruck even before we landed in Phuket. The landing strip was just off the water! It was an amazing sight to see the runway rise out of the water and suddenly engulf the plane in it's safety. The cab ride to the hotel was nice and peaceful and I was busy trying to take in as many sights and sounds as possible!
We were staying at the Holiday Inn which was right on Patong beach. Patong beach is the most famous beach of Phuket but just as in other beach resorts, the most famous places are often the most crowded ones! Anyways, the first evening, we just walked along the market street taking in the ambience.
The next day, we had a half day sightseeing tour planned. They showed us Karon beach, Kata beach and Kamala beach with a 30 min halt in each beach. Each was more beautiful than the previous and believe me, the water is as blue and the sand is as white as they show in the postcards! I ended up taking pictures left right and centre. Infact I took so many pictures that now I dont know which beach is which!! Then there was an elephant trek in which a poor elephant was made to walk up some hilly slopes with us on top of him! After that, there was a visit to a museum and then to a gems jewellery shop.
The next day we went on a full day trip to a place called Phang Nga bay. It is a set of islands - the most famous one being called James Bond island because apparently one scene of some James bond movie had been shot there!! Trust them to make money out of anything!! We went canoeing to the other islands and on the last island we swam around for an hour and lazed around on hammocks!! pure Heaven!!
The next day, we had to catch a flight to Bangkok and end our dream visit to Phuket. sobsob
Expense, and other observations:
The total expenditure for my trip (3 days) came out to be around $800. So it was pretty reasonable. This included the booking at the Holiday inn (5 star) and the flight tickets.
Thailand issues visa on arrival which costs 1500 baht per head (1 baht is approx Rs.1) and while leaving you have to pay 500 baht per head as departure tax! Also you need a passport size snap. They charge 400 bahts for a single snap at the airport!! So always carry a couple of spare snaps with you.
An interesting thing in Thailand is the way bargaining takes place. Since the natives do not know english, there is really no common language. So the solution is that each shopkeeper has a calculator. When you point at a certain item, he types the cost in the calc. If you are unhappy with the price, you are then supposed to type in your price in the calc! Then the shopkeeper again types and lo - you have a bargain!! However, having said that, shopping is pretty costly in phuket. All the prices are way beyond what the actual cost is. If you are really interested in shopping, then Bangkok is the place for you where you get anything and everything for 200 bahts!!
Suggestions:
An ideal trip to Phuket would be 1 week. Things not to miss are:
Phuket fantasea - this is supposed to be one of the best shows in Asia. It is a 2 hour show with dinner (6pm to 11 pm)
There are many other islands to visit. So a 1 week trip would be ideal.
For snorkeling and other adventure stuff, there are minimum 3 day courses for amateurs. So it would help if you have time.
Importantly carry a digital camera with lots of memory cos there is no end to taking pictures here!
Conclusion:
Hats off to the Thai people for rebuilding the entire landscape after the tsunami. The only signs that there had been a tsunami there are the signs themselves that tell us the escape route for a future tsunami. This place is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen - sort of like the lost world where you can retreat to when you are fed up of the hustle and bustle of our daily life. Try to visit it atleast once - and remember, plan a leisurely trip!!
