TOP TIPS:
- Purchase a local 3G/4G Tourist Sim Card
- Bring mosquito repellent body spray
- Comfortable shoes for tours
- Bring a waterproof phone case for water activities
- Book tours online for cheaper deals
- Flash light for power outages
After returning to Riyadh, we were missing Canada's green landscapes. We booked our 7 days trip once B got his holidays approved. This trip was going to be less adventurous and more relaxing. Well, at least that's how we wanted it to be until we got there!
After a 10 hours flight to Bangkok, Thailand, we took a one hour internal flight to Phuket because there are no direct flights to the island.
We first bought a local 4G Tourist Sim Card for 49 Thai bhat at the airport and then got an airport taxi for 800 bhat to Thavorn Beach and Spa Resort, Kamala which was an hour drive. We had arrived on the island at 11pm so we were both exhausted. In the middle of nowhere, the driver pulled up to a small tour agency giving the excuse of needing to use the bathroom. we went inside the store with him and sat there for 30 minutes being offered overpriced tour deals. Because we do our research before going anywhere, we weren't getting fooled by these "One Time Offer Promotions". We assume it was a commission stunt but he was a confounded nuisance. We suggest you don't fall for any tricks because the tours online are cheaper.
We arrived at Thavorn Resort quarter passed midnight. The cold Hibiscus drinks and warm hand towels made the tiredness wear off. Within minutes we were given the key card and accompanied to our room in a tuktuk which lead us high up on the hills in the forest. The room was absolutely beautiful with delicate rose petals decorated on the king size bed. There were signs everywhere to be cautious of the small harmless lizards that crawl on the walls because the resort is in their natural habitat so the animals cannot be removed.
Day 2: Resort Adventure
We woke up to a gorgeous sunrise filled with golden, pink and orange ribbons in the sky. We took the cable car that was five minutes walk from our room to go downstairs for breakfast.
The pastries, pastas and omelettes were really nice, but a few more vegetarian options would've been great. Today was all about taking naps and exploring the resort. There are no halal options, so, for dinner B ordered 'King Prawn Pad Thai with a Virgin Mint Mojito' and M ordered 'Cornbread with a Virgin Pina Colada'. We'll be clear here, the bland food was the least of our favorites on the island.
Day 3: Phuket City Tour
We ate breakfast and hopped onto the 9am bus to Patong Beach (city center) free of charge. It was a 20 minutes drive from the resort. We came across a store that was selling '8 hours City Tour' starting at 1pm. We bought the tickets for 1800 bhat. we roamed the streets and found a halal burgers shop. We enjoyed our afternoon lunch watching the oceanfoam waves while we sat on the soft beach sand.
Our second stop was at an elephant temple. The guide was uninterested in sharing any facts about this place. He gave us 30 minutes to climb the stairs without accompanying the group, look at the temple that had no information written anywhere and return back to the bus.
On our way to the Big Bhudda temple, we stopped off to feed and take some pictures of an elephant whose left leg was chained to the ground. Seeing that this animal is a religious symbol of Buddhism, the worker didn't seem to have much respect or adoration for him. Big Bhudda temple was under construction but the giant 45 meters tall Bhudda made with concrete and white marble was a glorious statue of praise.
Fourth stop was at Cashew and Honeybees Factory where we got to taste cashews seasoned in diverse flavors as well the different kinds of honeys. Next was Wat Chalong Temple which was a beautiful built. We took a few pictures there but of course we didn't know the importance of the temple because the tour guide was nowhere to be seen (we researched afterwards and found that Thais visit the temple to pay respect to the Abbot for good fortune in their lives).
Our final stop was at the night market, where everyone was informed to shop for an hour and come back to the bus. We killed our time purchasing a few items and observing intimate objects displayed to the public which weren't suitable for children to see there. The 8 hours tour stretched into 10 hours. The experience could've been a lot better if we were explained about what we were seeing, but the guide sure made the group feel like it's just another day to add to his paycheck.
Day 4: Phi Phi Island Tour
Now, this was an incredible day! We bought the tickets online for 4000 bhat. We were picked up from our resort at 8am and driven to the harbor to board the speedboat. It was an hour ride to Bamboo Island from where we went snorkeling. B has AOWD Padi license so he was pretty excited about this part, however, as you all know from the Maldives blog, M doesn't know how to swim. This was a terrifying experience at first, however once M got comfortable in the Indian ocean, it became the best part of the tour. For lunch, we enjoyed a good tomato sauce pasta with potatoes and garlic bread.
Day 5: Power Outage, Emergency Evacuation
The rain was falling down intensely early in the morning. We ate breakfast and took the 9am bus to Patong Beach to buy snacks and a flash light just in case electricity didn't come back before nighttime. The traffic was horrible as cars were floating in the massive water puddles and the restaurants near the forests were filled with at least 2 feet of water. Little did we know, we made a trip in the middle of a monsoon season.
We returned to the resort at 4pm with many people standing outside with their suitcases. We were notified that there was a power outage and the entire resort was about to get dark. Also, it was built deep in the forest so there were high chances of heavy mudslides. The resort was a complete wreck with plant pots broken and all the vegetables gardens destroyed. Thankgod, we bought a flash light because people were using their phone flash which was consuming a lot of battery.
After three hours of chaos and sitting in the heat, we were moved to Novotel Phuket Resort located in Patong Beach. No doubt, the room was nice but it didn't come close to the room we had at Thavorn resort. The balcony was facing the pool area so it became quite noisy early in the day due to many families visiting together.
Day 6: Simon Cabaret Show
While we waited for our evening outing, we explored the resort but there wasn't much to see. It was fairly small and the views were all of construction sites. At 6pm, we got picked up for Simon Cabaret Show. The transgender artists are great with keeping everyone's interest during their dance performances. They had amazing energy and the one hour show was worth every penny. Pictures/Recordings weren't allowed inside the hall.
Before catching our flight in the evening, we watched Alpha in Jungceylon Mall on the most comfortable seats with a 400 bhat upgrade to recliner seats. Our time here was wonderful and somehow each country we go to, there is always an unexpected event that makes the trip even more special.
