Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Great Phuket Adventure
And so begins my narrative of the great Phuket trip!!
The last time I went abroad (and it was my first time out of the country at that) was about 2 years ago to Singapore, so a few months ago when the Air Asia fares were pretty affordable, we decided to jump right to it and booked a flight to Phuket!
Ok, another huge contributing factor was the fact that Nigel had won a 3 day 2 night stay at the Indigo Pearl Hotel in Phuket, so accomodation was all set for us (so lucky)!
Its been years since I was last on a plane. I think I was about 5 then. So yes, lets consider this my virgin airplane ride. Our flight was at 7.30am, so we were there at about 5am. Was hoping that I'd be too sleepy to feel the airplane ride, but I was wrong.
The minute the plane started moving and loud rumbling sounds filled the cabin and everything started shuddering, I wanted to die T_____T
The thing with having a problem with heights and a very active imagination was that even though I wasnt seated by the window and couldnt see a thing outside, I could "feel" that there was nothing between me and a 10,000 foot drop to the cold, hard earth, with only gravity to hold my hand on the way down.
So yea, there was no difference for me in sitting in a completely enclosed cabin or a cabin made of see-through glass.
Most awful 45 minutes ever -______-
See the smile? That's because we just landed at Phuket International Airport.
The hotel was far nearer to the airport than we expected. Less than 10 minutes away! Which signals a problem because the town would be about 40 minutes away.
Anyhoo, we were a wee bit early for check-in time, but we were lucky as our rooms were already ready for us anyway! Fab service at the hotel, I must say. On first glance, it looks huge. Very much like a resort, and with very private lodgings all around.
Our gorgeous room!!
And that's only half of it! On the right (separated by a heavy linen curtain) is the bathroom, which is just as big as this part of the room itself! And on the left is a mini walk-in closet (also separated by a heavy linen curtain) which provides good changing cover.
The minute we set foot in it, we were completely mesmerised by how comfortable and luxurious everything was.
The huge bathtub which we unfortunately didnt make much use of except to take dry pictures in.
The toilet with gray granite stone walls and flooring. Even that looks cosy.
The thing we found in our tub and threw out.
2 sinks for twice as much fun.
Behind that transparent bit of glass is the shower. Its huge! Yes, there are no doors/curtains to cover it, so whenever someone's going to the loo/shower, we have to make an announcement. Those are the sinks on the right and the toilets on the left right at the end.
Its quite difficult to explain the sheer size of our suite in pictures, but I shall do my best.
One of 2 balconies with cozy couches and tables for us to lounge about.
Check out the greenery!!
Once we got settled in, we immediately threw on our swimming gear and dashed off to one of the many pools within the hotel!
Ok seriously, our hotel is huge. This is just a part of it. A hotel is huge if it has rolling green hills. Our hotel has rolling green hills.
We found the best pool yet - the Infinity Pool!!
Inifinity pools are supposed to look like they dont have an ending edge and the water just keeps flowing onto infinity.
I've always wanted to swim in an infinity pool T__T
We had the entire pool to ourselves, with the exception of the occassional tourist who came armed with a book and tanning oil.
Surrounded by palm trees and blue skies.
Very excited!
Just before jumping in. To infinity, and beyond!!
Ok, feeling abit self-conscious about swimming now.
A whale having no problems with that.
While we were there, the hotel staff served everyone glasses of ice cold water with lemon slices in it. Lemon slices! How posh =P
Wet group hug!!
Me, looking for infinity.
Fluffy white clouds and an insanely blue sky to watch over us as we started enjoying our much-deserved holiday.
Everyone got at least 2 shades darker after that session.
A hilarious video of us fooling around in the pool! The ending is a real killer =P
An aerial view of the infinity pool and part of our hotel! [from here]
After taking turns with the shower (and alot of announcements of "I'm in the shower so dont anyone dare come in!"), we decided to take a walk around the hotel and see if there was anything outside worth checking out.
Steps to the spa. Too expensive for us.
Its the tourist thing to do.
Unfortunately, all we found outside our hotel was this:
Yes, it stretches on for quite abit.
Our hotel is pretty far away from town, so we couldnt do much since we planned to head to town later for dinner anyway.
More stuff outside the hotel.
I have made my mark! Now time to go in before I roast myself.
A deer caught in tuk tuk headlights =P
There was a quaint little convenience store outside the hotel, where we made frequent visits to for snacks and drinks. It was a ton of fun exclaiming excitedly at all the familiar and not-so-familiar snacks and drinks in Thai.
Coolness!
Arent pearls supposed to be white? Oh well, the hotel's so amazing, we dont really care!
We were starving by the time the sun went down, and we eagerly took a taxi to town ASAP!
Night outfits!
40 minutes later, we descended into a world of colourful chaos, familiar noise and lots of flashing lights. Patong Beach!
Taking a step into a different world.
A truck promoting Thai boxing. Using the actual boxers flexing their muscles. Marketing power!!
David and I at the entrance of Patong street, which they closed off to motorists so people could walk safely along it. Think, Petaling Street.
The craziness of it all was a little bit overwhelming at first and it took me awhile to get used to the many bars and stalls and crowds of people having a good time here and there. We definitely had to find something to eat, and fast.
Luckily, Nigel knew just where to go. A street full of various little restaurants lining both sides. And alot of eager restaurant owners who were an inch away from dragging us forcefully to their restaurant 0____0
We did the Malaysian thing to do and settled for the restaurant with the most number of patrons there at the time. It is a tested and proven theory!! Crowds = good food!
The lucky pick.
It was packed, and the other places only had a sprinkling of customers here and there.
Let the feasting begin!
Picking our favourite dishes/whatever sounded good.
Pretending to make decisions.
Since their food doesnt really sound too foreign to us, it was that difficult to choose what we think we'd enjoy.
Quaint carbonated drinks in a bottle!
Can never go wrong with Sprite.
Such a tourist.
Time to pig out!
Crispy fried beef and garlic. Salty and chewy! Yum!!
Steamed lala. Fresh and delicious.
Bean sprouts for balance.
Tom yum and green curry! How Thai!
Commencing the attack.
The carnage.
After a very satisfying dinner, we had a walk down Patong for some digestion and sight-seeing.
Bustling colours and bright lights! Love the atmosphere. Its like one giant party!
Both sides of the street are lined with bars, bars and more bars! Each one with more girls in skimpy clothes dancing on bartops than the next! Everyone tries to get you into their bar, but I just walked around gawking at the dancers like the jakun I am.
One can also get a fair bit of shopping done, but it was mostly island-themed clothes (floral beach dresses, etc) and statement t-shirts with some witty (but mostly vulgar) statements.
Not a far cry from home.
Stopping a random vendor for some earrings.
Spot the photographer.
Where the next level promises even more.
Yea, they werent exactly out in full force just yet.
After about 2 hours of wandering the streets of Patong and giving our eyes a workout, we decided it was time for a 40 minute drive back to the hotel.
Stopped by the McD for a drink and to sample some pork burgers! Tastes pretty darn good, those pork burgers. And they serve iced Ovaltine instead of Milo! I love Ovaltine!!
I was very much looking forward to the 2nd day, as one of our major plans for the trip involved alot of day 2!
*pics from me, David, Nigel, Kel Li*
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