BANGKOK TO PHUKET - A BLUR OF A WEEK
BANGKOK – PHUKET, THAILAND PART 1 – NOV 10-17
No individual day posted here, it’s been a blur. Blanket Bangkok – Phuket part 1 post .
Bangkok is not my town. Almost 11.3M population – very spread out – not really one downtown area. In full transparency, I did not really explore Bangkok. I knew I had to visit Khao San Road, the street I had told Jorg not to miss. So, I did visit there and the one thing I was looking for was a thin linen shirt, which I bought 4 different colors of. Along with 3 skirts.
My flight to Phuket upgraded me to front row seat First Class, which was nice. I was first off the airplane which has never happened to me before so that was a cool experience.
I am staying in the same hostel that Jorg stayed in whilst she was in Phuket. She stayed in a 4 bed dorm, I have a private room. Location is prime! I love my room. It is super clean, 5th floor overlooking the pool.
Lots of action downstairs with people from all over the world, to a quiet room to myself. Just outside my front door is Patong. The beach is a block away, along with markets, restaurants, and about 100 massage parlors. Bengla Road is a 5 minute walk. My hostel is in the heart of Patong Beach, Phuket – where it all goes down. I really like this area.
Phuket has 455K population. Patong is a beach town in the province of Phuket with about 20K population. It is known for it’s 3km beach, and night life. There is no lack of things to do in Patong. Albeit this would be more of an adult destination for sure. And the nightlife is far beyond my lifestyle at this point in my life, but for a first visit to Asia, I am enjoying the energy. I could see if I came back to Asia one day, planning a much quieter introspective trip. But for this one, Patong is just right.
Thailand is just shy of 11.3M in population. So far, I love the hilly, windy roads. I have flashes of California / Costa Rica as we drive around. The area I am staying is too much of a party atmosphere for me long-term, but perfect for this week I am here to get the feel of the hotspots. I definitely think Thailand would offer an entirely different quiet beautiful experience if I had more time.
Phuket part 2 coming soon.
PICS NOT IN ORDER OF DAYS:
Patong Beach Walking Street 5 min from my home in Patong
Me relaxing on a hammock in the lobby of my home
The Tyson-Paul fight, tho it was a disappointing fight (the ladies fight made up for it), was a favorite morning for me. We had a family WhatsApp chat going between myself, my kids and my parents commentating on the fight. Felt like we were all together but really did make me miss everyone :(
After spending 3-4 hours on and off texting group chat <3
My sushi lunch in Patong
I had a chuckle while I was sitting on the beach in Patong, these guys were trying to negotiate a price for seadoos, and with the language barrier they started writing / negotiating prices in the sand .. gotta love it
A view of Patong Beach as I was walking away, it’s no wonder it’s famous
Standing on a demolished lot from a landslide at Kata Beach so gorgeous
The driver I hired for half a day, Mr. Yong - amazing day
The map of most of what I have explored here so far
The top of the mountain at Big Buddha, overlooking Karon and Kata Beach
Top of mountain Big Buddha, overlooking Phuket town
Big Buddha actually closed to visitors to go inside, so we took a pic from outside - this overlooks Phuket
Elephant riding
Elephant riding
Elephant riding so fun
They said, cuddle the Tiger. I said, how?? they said, move over, lie down, cuddle, I was laughing, like this?? what a WILD feeling cuddling with a tiger
These ladies asked if they could take their photo with me, so I took it too haha
Wat Chalong Temple, most famous temple in Phuket - very beautiful and busy
To go inside, they wrapped a sarong around my waist and shoulders, no shoulders nor above the knees allowed
Here is the place to come to get a tailor made suit made in a day for super low price
People eat these massive black bugs / scorpions and all kinds everywhere
My lunch at Khao San Road people watching
I had to take this classic pic of I love Khaosan beside meditating Ronald McDonald, outside a weed shop. couldn’t really get much more random than this pic
My grab motorbike ride home with my fresh fruit purchase
My stay in Bangkok
A chance to wash ALL my laundry, and of course hang to dry.. smelled so good!
My front row First Class seat Bangkok to Phuket by accident
Welcome to Phuket! :)
One of literally 100 restaurants I walk past each day outside my place, she cooks fresh BBQ all night
I really liked Old Town Phuket
Even saw this old Mercedes in Old Town
