Greetings from Phuket, an island on the southwestern coast of Thailand that was hard-hit by the December 26, 2004 tsunami and where many people perished. Today, it has mostly been rebuilt and the tourist industry is flourishing. Real estate development also seems to still be going strong, despite the global economic crisis. Although I'd been to Thailand before, it was to Bangkok and the north, including to Chiang Mai, but never to this "island paradise", as some call it. Inga, my young German friend from Shanghai and I came down here for a week's holiday and booked a hotel in Kata Beach through a Chinese tour operator. Kata Beach, where we stayed, is south of Patong and quite touristy. The "main drag" has loads of souvenir and clothing shops, restaurants and massage parlors. Prices are much
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