Day 5B - Phuket

Trip Start Dec 17, 2007
1
16
30
Trip End Feb 14, 2008


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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

I hate riding on a night bus (or train or plane) because I can never sleep. But it is the best value for the money for travel cost and you don't have to pay for a hotel. I slept a bit but the bus was always pulling over for who knows what (my theory that they were running ahead of schedule).

We arrived at 6 am and I got off the bus to a swarm of taxi drivers asking where "where you want to go?" Got a driver and threw my bags in the back of the small pick-up truck which a roof and open sides, a bigger version of the tuk-tuk and away we went to the Shanti Lodge. After a bit of white knuckles time, we arrived at the lodge  which was pretty deserted. A staff member finally appeared and I checked and went to my room where I went to bed for a short nap. I had gotten an email from my friend Tak to meet him at 11 am at his hotel but I was a little confused because I thought the plan was to meet him on the 15th The Phuket Shanti Lodge's Cafe
The Phuket Shanti Lodge's Cafe
 . Anyway, I had breakfast (the place has the same menu as the lodge in Bangkok) so I had pancakes with bananas and palm syrup (good). I also had a shower and had a taxi called to take me to Patong where he is staying. Patong is the big tourist area with tons hotels, guest houses, restaurants, shops, bars and the largest collection of foreigners in Asia from so many countries. The taxi driver and I couldn't find the hotel because I wrote it as a hotel instead of inn. My bad. The driver was a nice guy and other calls so I finally said that I would for it myself. I went to an Internet cafe and checked the mail and Tak said he was still in Bangkok and that was coming tonight. Ugh! I did find his hotel and then I walked around a little and looked at the beach which was full of people. Grabbed a bite of lunch and took a taxi back to my lodge.

The Shanti lodge is more of a resort with a pool with a waterfall, a cafe open on three sides, gold fish ponds and lots of plants and flowers. A very relaxing and chill out place. So when I got back, I went for a swim and soaked in the sun while reading a book. This is the vacation I like, low stress and relaxing.
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Comments

marymorris
marymorris on Jan 18, 2008 at 03:03AM

Interesting!!!
What an adventure, you sure are braver than I would be. I am impressed by your travels and writing. Very interesting to keep up with your trip.
Thanks Mary

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