Shanewilson's travel blogs:
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Patong Beach, Phuket
Entry 31 of 270 | show all | print this entry |
I slept ok at my $10 a night room at the Thavorn Hotel last night. This hotel was ok after all... nights like this will assist in keeping my pathetic $60 a day SE Asian budget intact... we can only hope!
I have developed an instant love of everything Thai. As I write this, I've had 4 nights in Phuket and absolutely love the place. The Thai people are absolutely sensational... the service is first class and the people are the friendliest, most outgoing, affectionate and helpful people I've come across in my travels. Getting a hair cut is a prime example... I had 4 people fussing over me: 1 person fanning me all over to ensure I was cool, one really bright, energetic girl serving me drinks, the manageress translating my English to Thai, and the actual hairdressar (a lady boy I'm sure). And all this for a pathetic $6. The head massage was a real treat.
I was impressed by the Turks and Syrians, but the Thai people are something else! We have so much to learn. I know I've only been here 4 nights but I have been truly impressed by all facets of my stay so far.
After two nights at the Thavorn Hotel, I gave myself my first 32nd birthday present by upgrading to a 3 star hotel for 3 nights. It is an amazing place, good value at 150 metres from Patong Beach, a swimming pool in the complex and a great room with a most unique waterfall shower with rocks decorating the recess area. It totally breaks the budget but I wanted to be comfortable for my b'day on the 28th.
The first thing I did after checking in was walk to Patong Beach... an unbelievable place with heaps and heaps of umbrellas, chairs, speedos, topless women, beggers, sellers, and drinks/items for sale. I spent about 3 hours soaking up the sun and was entertained throughout by the Thais offering me a wide assortment of things - I brought an Asian dressing gown. I really enjoyed doing my souvenir shopping from the beach, and enjoyed a few beers whilst checking out the very attractive (and not so attractive!!!) people.
The beach is definitely not as good as Langkawis. Cenang Beach at Langkawi was perfect... little people, heated water and silk white sand. I don't know what all the fuss is about Phuket's beach because it doesn't really compare. But the entertainment in Phuket, however, is world class and definitely one of my favourites. On my arrival at the beach, I was suddently thrown back home. The Australian theme and accent is everywhere including restaurants, pubs, TV (the Australian Open was in a lot of the pubs) and people.
It was quite an eery experience swimming at Patong Beach because this is one of the destinations in which the 26th December 2004, tsunami struck. There is still quite a lot of reconstruction going on along the beach, and reminders of the incident include chats with taxi drivers who have lost friends/family and photos of the devastation in several shops I've come across. It is tragic to think that this catastrophe happened to such beautiful people.
Tonight I checked out one of the major entertainment areas here at Patong Beach... Balong Road. I have never seen anything like it... but a lot of fun.
Over the next two days I have tours... one to Phi Phi Island (sight of Maya Bay... sight for the Hollywood move, The Beach) and the other to Phang Nga Islands to go canoeing. Should be a lot of fun.
I know this entry is short, but I'm really keen to hit the entertainment strip. It's 8.30pm Saturday night, it's my 32nd b'day and I'm keen to get the celebration rolling.
For all my work colleagues reading this, I do hope that the start of the year has started off on a real high. Sorry that I can't join you, but I've got so many places to see and experience:)
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