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| Phuket, Thailand |
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A Relaxing Vacation in Phuket, Thailand
You may recognize Thailand from the activities of Bangkok but Phuket presents an entirely different image. Phuket is the country's largest island and a popular travel destination for its beaches on the west coast, Phuket Town on the southeast and the Phuket International Airport in the north. The island can differ in temperature according to season (anywhere from hot and humid to cool and breezy) If you are planning for a vacation and want some quality beach time then visit Phuket!
What is the hotel and resort situation in Phuket? There are many hotels available, of various prices, sizes and classifications. There are also apartment complexes and home stays that cater to tourists. You can find hotels along the individual beaches of Phuket or in the Phuket Town area. The Ayara Hilltops is one of the best-reviewed hotels and offers plenty of scenic viewing in its luxury villas, providing a relaxing yet luxurious experience. The Aspasia Phuket on Kata Beach is another popular location and included amenities such as breakfast and dinner and a traditional Thai massage. If you want to stay closer to the city side in Phuket Town, then you can catch a budget hotel at the Ban Nai Inn or the On-On Hotel. The cheapest hotels are not cheap in quality though they tend to be basic. Also, the cheaper the hotel the less likely the staff will speak English. For an intermediate class of hotel, not too pricey or cheap, try the Metropole Phuket, which is conveniently located near the bus station and marketplace and features a gym and Wi-Fi connection.
Eating, Drinking and Merriment in Phuket
The food in Phuket is not all Thai food. Some international travelers have started their own shops to attract international attention. Therefore, expect to find a tasty combination of western and eastern food, along with your favorite Thai courses. For the Phuket beach area, there is more of a concentration on seafood. In the Phuket Town area, some of the more popular shops include the Siam Bakery for sweet pastries, an All You Can Eat at Super Cheap deal with the catch that diners have to empty their plate or pay double, or the Ruam Jai Restaurant which serves an all vegetarian menu.
Phuket Town also has several drinking establishments, which serve everything from Chinese tea to mixed drinks. Some of the best locations are the China House, Coffee Max, Michael's Bar and the Smile Cafe. If you want more nightlife and less Chinese tea then journey over to Patong Beach. The area is as raunchy as they come and offers a variety of adult entertainment including restaurant lounges, beer bars, Go-Go clubs, discos, live music clubs and even transvestite cabarets. Thailand is notorious for its partying and the two repeat offenders seem to be and Patpong in Bangkok and Patong Beach in Phuket. Some of the hottest clubs are Seduction Discotheque, while some more family-appropriate bar restaurants include The Boathouse Wine and Grill at Kata Beach and the Phuket FantaSea, with a mix of theatrics and dining. Last but not least, you can find minivan bars throughout the island, which are mobile bars found all along the beaches and major roads. Have another one for the road, right by the road!
Major Attractions in Phuket
While Phuket doesn't have the awe-inspiring collection of historical monuments like Bangkok does, it does still have a few items of interest-and a lot more contemporary vacation fun. The Wat Chalong is a Buddhist temple found on the southern end of the island, while there are also some historical areas set up in Phuket Town explaining the history of the city as well as a Vegetarian Festival.
While most tourists spend time gazing at the beaches and sampling the nightlife, there is still plenty to do in Phuket throughout the day. Some popular activities include elephant riding. Tipping the mahout (the person who "drives" an elephant) serves two purposes: to continue to domesticate elephants in Thailand (which is cheap) and to offer an entertaining show-tourists give their tips to the elephant that then passes the currency to the mahout with its trunk! Other attractions include an animal sanctuary called the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, which offers the sponsoring of gibbon or a photograph taken with an endangered ape.
Some popular golf courses in the area include the Blue Canyon Country Club, the Laguna Phuket Golf Club and the Thai Muang Beach Golf and Marina. There are also other sporting activities to check out such as Muay Thai training (which is kick-boxing Thai style), water sports like scuba diving, jet-skiing and yachting.
The best way to travel in Phuket is by bus or taxi. Car rentals and bicycling are two other options, but are more at risk for an accident due to the careless driving of others, traffic congestion, as well as the hilly terrain of the area. If you love beach, fun and fine dining then consider a Phuket vacation! |
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