Phuket Revisited
If you’re reading this on Facebook, click View Post to see more… Phuket’s seedy nightlife is alive and well, but it wasn’t bad! We befriended a group of go-go girls and played bar games like Jenga, Connect 4, and this super fun one where you race to hammer a nail into a wooden block using a pointed chisel!
Back in 2008, I left Phuket feeling worn out- too many suit and warez hawkers, seedier nightlife than I had expected. I wouldn’t have come back but it was worth it to see Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands. I’m really glad I gave Phuket another chance because now I have a new (better) perspective.
All in all, there were plenty of good things to say about Phuket- here are a couple high points!
High point: Thai Massage! On our second to last night, a few of us headed out in search of a Thai Massage (at $7/hr it’s a great deal). Within minutes it was pouring rain harder than any of us had ever seen! There was a consistent 1.5” of water on the ground before we knew it. After wading through a sea of massage parlors we were sopping wet from head to toe. When we finally found the place we wanted to go, the ladies made us strip down outside to dry off before walking into the storefront! After all was said and done an hour later, our crew enjoyed the massages but left a bit bruised (I have a mango-sized bruise on my thigh)!
High point: Phang Nga Bay! Ben and I headed out for a speed boat daytrip to Phang Nga Bay. Our guide, Pom, was a character- well spoken in English and capable of razzing the tour group hehe… The boat ride itself was awesome. The boat had twin Honda 225 outboard motors and an open bow- we chose to sit/stand up front. It took us around all day and we stopped to swim, hike around and take pictures of James Bond Island, eat lunch at Panyi fishing village, and explore the inside of Ice Cream Cave (named after large formations inside that look like ice cream). We even got close up with a cave painting.
Quick tip: when in Thailand, head to Burger King. Yes, BK! ;) The taro & corn pie is VERY good. My buddies also had a pineapple pie at McDonald’s and said it was tasty- I didn’t try it.
OK! It’s time for bed… I’ve been a bit behind on posts so we’ve actually spent the last few days in Hong Kong! Fun times. Landed in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) tonight and things are starting off well! More to come in an upcoming post. :)
