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Published: August 7th 2007
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The back streets of Phuket Town
Many of the buildings that look like houses have shops and cafes downstairs Got collected by minivan in Penang (still Malaysia) and then travelled north for a while to the Malaysia/Thailand border where we all had to get stamped out of the Malaysia, cross no-mans land and then get stamped into Thailand. First time I have ever crossed a border over land, without there being anything obvious in the way, like an airplane flight or a river, there was just some grass. Then bounced along the insanely poorly maintained bumpy roads of Thailand (not a great first impression) for quite some time. We were originally told it would take around 9 hours to get there, and at 9 hours it was quite clear we would be a bit later than that, so booked some (probably overpriced) accomodation for Phuket Town and told that the minivan woiuld take us right there. Anyway, when we finally pulled into Phuket Town, after 22:00, we were dropped off outside the bus station and told that we would have to pay more to get dropped off at our hostel we had booked through their company. Now, as you can imagine, this was the 14th hour of sitting in the back of minivan and so was not the most pleased
"The Beach" beach
Looks alright, shame we couldnt go see it from the sand bunny to be informed this. After I snapped (I think I scared him actually) and told him that we would not be paying to be dropped off at our hostel I sat myself back on the bus and refused to not move. Eventually he took us and we didnt have to pay. Had heard about Thais trying to con you and its a shame you have to shout and make so much fuss for them to do something that they are meant to for you. Anyway, the hostel was very nice and slept extremely well.
Next morning, had a wander around Phuket Town, which has some really nice Sino-Portuguese architecture and the city is set out in a way that reminded me of Melaka in Malaysia. Explored all the backstreets full of house-shops and had a look at some of the temples. Thailand is a Bhuddist country and some of the colours and styles of the temples are amazing. Phuket Town really not all that exciting, and spent a large chunk at the end of the day updating blog from Malaysia! After some initial reservations about Thai people, found that most are actually quite nice, helpful, chatty and not
trying to con you, just a shame the first I met was! Had a bit of a splurge dinner in a swanky Thai restaurant that went quiet when we turned up in shorts, tshirt and flip-flops, but was insanely tasty.
Had an early start and was collected and taken to the harbour outside Phuket Town and jumped on a boat for 1.5 hours to visit Koh Phi Phi. If you didnt know, Koh Phi Phi is the setting for "The Beach" film and is apparently meant to be the most beautiful beach cove on the planet. Did some snorkelling on the neighbouring big island in Ton Sai Bay and saw one variety of fish (which was only there as the crew were throwing bread in the water. The coral was non-existant. This was probably due to the fact the 2004 tsunami kinda flattened Koh Phi Phi, destroying lots of the hotels and much of the coral in the surrounding area. This fact didnt really stop the masses of pleasure boats, ferries, long boats and dive boats covering the area and chucking their passengers in to have a look. After that, went on a boat tour around the small island
of Koh Phi Phi which was 'landscaped' ie bulldozed, to be made more attractive for the Hollywood film "The Beach". Maya Bay was 'that' beach. Our boat chugged round the corner and there we were, surrounded by more boats and ferries than you could imagine, rather spoiling apparently the most beautiful place on the planet. Hmm, really couldnt agree with that one. Anyway, at least the bay hasnt been covered in high rise hotels as it is a nature reserve and cannot be built on. The bigger island is just covered in brand new hotels and shops which is a real shame, and I really hope the Perhentian Islands dont turn into this and be ruined forever. Also a very scary reminder of natures' power, with tsunami evacuation routes displayed all over the place. Caught the boat back to Phuket somewhat disappointed with 'paradise' - way too many people and over commercialised beyond belief.
Next day left Phuket Town on an awesome local bus (with no windows doors or sides - just a wooden frame on top of a truck) for Hat Karon on the west coast of Phuket Island. Hat Karon beach was covered in rubble and rubbish following the tsunami in 2004 and the place looked absolutely deserted. Just a little example - when we turned up at the hostel we liked the look of, we were the first people to check for 3 days, and we had the whole place to ourselves! The town itself is totally geared for tourism, just the tourists appear to have forgotten to go there. Admittedly it is the 'low' season, but you would imagine there would still be some people there. There are innumerable tattoo parlours, hair salons restuarants, tailors and massage parlours with women outside screaming (in the most insanely high-pitched voice you can imagine) "Sir want massage?". Literally every other shop you get asked if you want a suit or massage. Alternatively, you get asked "where you going?" by the tuktuk/taxi drivers which may have infact never learnt to drive and are everywhere. Made one laugh who was standing outside our hostel when I replied to his question "this shop here" and walked next door into the supermarket. Once you have tackled past all these people the beach is the place to be. 5km of white sand, but sadly some insanely powerful high waves with rip currents making the sea almost impossible to swim in beyond ankle depth. Nice place to top up the tan for a few days however, with instant service in all the restuarants, very happy that you picked them! Another thing that I noticed was the extremely high proportion of (this sounds like a generalisation, but i think i may be right) 50+ year old blokes, mainly from the UK, Sweden and Germany with Thai girls attached to them who must be no more than 25 years old. So obviously divorcees who came to Thailand to find a new wife. Quite funny really as most of them dont talk as they dont understand each other. Thats my little observation of Phuket anyways. Oh, and one day got ushered off the street to allow the King of Thailand to come past in his massive motorcade - apparently visiting Hat Karon. Everyone loves the King, with his picture up everywhere on lamp posts, outside shops and pictures hanging in peoples houses, so the people on the street were very excited to see him pass through.
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simone
non-member comment
Hey! go alex stand your ground get the bus to the right place! It seems so weird having a gorgous country but then having old men looking for women! It still sounds great tho! not much happening - work, bbq and went to putney to watch the england vs south africa rugby we lost but it was a really good afternnoon/evening! take care spk 2 u soon