Phuket, Thailand

Dip into the mystical beaches of Phuket

Your trip to Thailand shall never be complete if you have not laid foot on Phuket, the city that has it all. You can practically do anything in Phuket, whether indoors or outdoors, whether rain or shine. This city is truly a gem, abounding with amazing natural to pre-natural attractions. If you want to reconnect with nature, or be one with nature, Phuket is the place to be. Be amazed with the intricately made natural attractions, revel in the deep beauty of the sceneries.

To really start your trip in Phuket, try to visit first the Phang Nga Bay. This is just a head start to your once in a lifetime experience in Phuket but nevertheless, be breathless as you canoe in this unique bay. The clear limestone cliff that cut across the emerald green waters is truly remarkable. Your silent and peaceful trip on a boat whilst wading through the clear waters shall be wonderful; your being one with nature is truly attained in this place.

Travelers even get a chance to see the precious fauna of the place. The James Bond Island and Koh Panyee in Phang Nga are just few of the many notable islands in the area. The former garnered a spot in the international scene as it was the venue for a James Bond installment, ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’. The latter is more serene, with little handicraft stores and restaurants which close later in the afternoon to pave way for the native fishermen.

After your tranquil excursion to the wonderful island in Phang Nga Bay, go to Old Phuket town, a mesh of the Portuguese influence with the Oriental touch. This little town is home to many grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, all of which have housed many rich tin merchants in the old days. This area is historically a town for Buddhists and the Chinese, where you can find shrines, temples, ‘shophouses’, restaurants and a mini red light district. Speaking of red light districts, while in Phuket, visit the Banglo Road for some awesome dose of nightlife. This is truly the place that goes into slumber during the day and transforms to wild beast as the sun sets. The colorful play of lights that fill the road is jampacked with thousands of customers, all looking for some good time. The girls are real good entertainers, engaging in small banter with enchanted Western male customers. Your visit on Banglo Road shall be one hell of night with only the best beer in the metro.

As we engage once more with the eccentric yet amazing culture of Thailand, while in Phuket, do not forget to watch the Simon Cabaret Show, the largest transvestite cabaret show to be found locally. The display of magical lights and good entertainers are the key ingredients to a Simn Cabaret show. You would not even know the difference between the performers with legit ladies! The performers are very professional, having to undergo arduous training for the musical. Live beats and entertainment like that of Las Vegas, these ‘showgirls’ are surely set to further amaze enthused audiences. So do not forget while in Phuket to grab some tickets to this fantastic show as this is a well-acclaimed entertainment show in the whole of Asia.

After all the heavy music and beer-filled nights, revel in the beauty of temples in Phuket and visit the Wat Chalong temple. This temple intricately made with a thousand of tiny glass pieces and pagodas are sure to encapsulate the beauty of the Thai culture. This is Phuket’s spiritual centre, the core of Buddhist practices in the city. It has been said that you have never really visited Phuket if you have not chanced upon this life size treasure. Westerners get a glimpse of the simple way of life of the Buddhists, often interacting with the wise and sound monks in the temples. To top of your Buddhist enlightenment, the Big Buddha in the hills of Nakkered looks proudly down over Chalong. The Big Buddha is said to have cost a staggering amount of 30 million baht. Surely this statue is just one of the signatures of Phuket. The view from the top is breathtaking; many sites are plainly viewed whilst at top of the majestic place of the Big Buddha.

Get hold of Phuket viewpoints and release the painter in you! The panoramic view of Phuket can be accessed through many points. One of the best known spots includes the Promthep Cape, the island’s most photographed viewpoint. Swathes of luscious islands await your gaze in this viewpoint. It has a historical lighthouse that is home to many marine artifacts. This picturesque view is just a precursor to the vast stretch of clear, emerald green water that stretches further to the Sri Lankan and Indian Subcontinent.

The Radar viewpoint is the highest in the vicinity. Its roads wind up to beautiful rubber producing villages. The Kata viewpoint is the most frequented place in the area where tourists are confronted with a plethora of beaches to choose from. The scenic view is highly addictive; the calm waters are set to capture your heart and soul, only to return it feeling nostalgic once you leave the place. Many local bar and restaurants are available in within the vicinity so be explorative and discover the best restaurants in town.

There are tons of places to visit in the wonderful city of Phuket. As you start making your itinerary list, and while you are slowly ticking the boxes of that list, do not forget to engage with the lovely and warm denizens. The Thai culture is greatly exhibited in Phuket, as many temples are proudly erected on the fantastic lands of Phuket. Take it slow on beer as you will be having many nights of wild entertainment while in Phuket. You don’t want to end up like that dead drunk kid in the movie Hangover which happened to be taped in the many beautiful sites in Thailand! After your memory laden rambles in Phuket, you are sure to leave with only the best of experiences.