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Published: February 25th 2006
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Phuket Town
View from my room at the Thavorn Hotel It's Saturday, February 25th and I'm in Phuket town (yet again!). It's my third time on the island of Phuket and I've grown quite comfortable here. It is a big island though so there is still much I haven't seen.
I arrived yesterday and went to the Phuket International Hospital to get checked out. That illness on Koh Lipe was enough to warrant a doctors visit, albeit, a delayed visit. They gave me some medication at the hospital but it appears that I'm almost healed. At least I hope so. 😊
I expect to move on tomorrow. At the moment, I'm considering going to Krabi. I can take the bus, or take 2 ferries. The bus is definitely cheaper and probably faster too. That sounds like a plan. Could it be a decision?
This update is primarily going to be about random things I've noticed in Thailand.
There are so many things to learn about any country and culture. I'll try to give you some insights and info I have learned through the course of my travels. A few of these I've touched upon but not given much in the way of details. So, here you go...
Squatty toilet
The famous squatty toilet of Asia. This one is from a public restroom and does flush. Toilets: There are western toilets and squatty toilets. The squatty toilets are more common in Thailand and preferred by the local Thai people. There is a hose with a sprayer (similar to those found on many Western kitchen sinks) to use afterwards to clean, as one hotel put it, your "vital bits." Ummm, ok. Toilet paper is no where to be found near the squatty toilets. Even many of the western toilets do not have toilet paper but instead have the hose and sprayer to be used for cleaning. How do they flush? They don't in the western sense. Instead, most have a bucket and bowl nearby. You fill the bucket with water, scoop water from the bucket with the bowl, and pour into the squatty or western toilet. This causes the material in the toilet to go down the pipes. It often takes several bowls of water. Welcome to SE Asia. Also, the public restrooms are not called restrooms, bathrooms or washrooms; rather, they are called toilets. As you can imagine, the higher-end hotels and restaurants that cater to foreigners all have western style toilets that flush. The rest? You just never know...
Showers: The showers at
Another squatty
The private home variety caught on camera. Note the water on the side to be used for flushing. the budget to mid priced hotels are generally not separated from the rest of the bathroom (no shower door or shower curtain). The water goes all over the place and exits through a drain on the tile floor in a corner of the bathroom.
Mold: Plentiful throughout this hot and humid country. Considering how much I've paid when I was a claim representative in the insurance industry to remove mold, it's interesting to see how prevalent it is in the hotel rooms out here. On the island of Koh Lipe, the Mountain Resort where I stayed had visible mold going up several feet on every wall of the bathroom (they used drywall instead of tile on the walls for whatever reason). I can't say it bothered me though.
Flooring material: Most of the hotels where I have stayed had tile or wood floors rather than carpet. They are easier to clean, and considering the warm climate, the better materials in my opinion.
Shoes/sandals: they are typically removed prior to going indoors. As a foreigner, I always look to see if there are shoes or sandals by the front door. If there are, I take off my own
Bathroom
Note the shower is not separated by a curtain from the rest of the bathroom. and leave them at the front door too. It's generally accepted to remove your shoes before entering houses and many small businesses (not expected for big retail stores).
Maple syrup: Although pancakes and french toast are common here, maple syrup is mysteriously missing from most restaurants (not Libernard in Chiang Mai!). The typical substitute is honey.
Banana pancakes: the famous backpacker staple. There are two varieties: the thin crepe style roadside version and the thick Western version served at some restaurants. The roadside vendor version is usually sliced in squares, topped with condensed milk or chocolate syrup, and served with a toothpick to use as an eating utensil. The Western version is thicker and typical to what you would find in the States. However, maple syrup (as previously mentioned), is hard to come by.
Desserts: Most Thai desserts consist of fruit or ice cream. The dessert menus are generally very limited.
Restaurant service: Once you order and they bring your food, that's the last you will see a server until you draw the servers attention. Seriously. They do not ask whether you want dessert, carry away your plates, or bring your bill unless you ask for it. Often, you've got to get up and search for your waiter to get your bill. It's just how things work out here.
Tips: generally not expected unless in higher-end restaurants.
Drinking Water: Don't drink the water. How many times have you heard that while traveling internationally? Bottled water shouldn't cost any more than 25 cents for small bottles and 50 cents for large bottles on the islands, and cheaper in the cities.
American sports: very, very hard to find on TV. This nation caters to European travelers generally when it comes to sporting events. Plenty of places to find soccer on TV. Manchester United, yada yada yada. The only American sporting event I've seen on TV since I've been here is the Super Bowl. Don't worry though, I'll be catching ALL of March Madness (College Basketball Tournament - my favorite sporting event of the year) when it begins on March 16. I arrive in the States on March 13.
Amercian fast food chains: McDonalds, Burger King, Subway and Pizza Hut can be found all over the place. I haven't been to a single one since I've been here. Granted, I don't like them in the States either. Well, Pizza Hut has its moments.
Thai food: Love it! Be warned that the Thai like their food spicy. Most restaurants know to turn down the heat for the foreigners.
Well, that's about it for tonight! I hope that gives you a better sense of what to expect if you venture out to Thailand.
Look! There goes Dave!
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michelle
non-member comment
wow
this was one of the most interesting things i've read on the web for a long time! i love that you even took the time to write this.