A Wanderlust Post: Phuket, Thailand 2011

I guess it was love at first sight. Going back to the way I felt back then, there was this mix of excitement, awe, happiness, and probably all positive adjectives you can think of, as our plane was on its way to landing on one of my dream destinations, Phuket, Thailand.

A sparkly view from the top.

I first heard of this place as a child - a grand prize for a game show or something I couldn't remember. Then there was that James Bond movie shot in Pha Nga Bay, then Leonardo DiCaprio's 'The Beach' which was equally majestic. With all these ideas in my mind as a younger, not-yet-earning kid, one thing was certain in my perspective - Phuket will remain a dream forever.

But baby, there I was, on the 4th of August 2011, standing in Phuket soil and ready to rumble.

But of course, prior that, we have also experienced this pauper-like stage.
Particularly Bebe Wilson :P

THE CREW: PHUKET 'PEEPS'

Ready, set, smile!
One of the few pictures we were actually complete.

Travel experiences are more fun when you've got your crew, which in this case was proven by the exceptional time I had with my college classmates / friends / travel buddies Erwin, Karla, Sisa, Apple and Wilson. It couldn't have been more adventurous as this travel was a spontaneous one. No plans, no IT, none. All we had in mind was we were going on a Phi Phi cruise, party, shop, bum around in the nearby beach. Other than that and details in between, nada.

MR. PETER, THE BIG BUDDHA AND MARINA THE BABY ELEPHANT

In this state of plan-lessness it was a good thing people in Patong province, Phuket were helpful. We met our resident driver, Mr. Peter (no surname in his calling card, which has got a drawing of a cow or something, we don't have any idea why) on our way to our breakfast early morning of August 6. For ThB 800, he was our chauffeur for the whole day, inclusive of all our chosen places to visit, and funny chats about how he loved Pacquiao. From there he suggested we eat at PhongPhang resto, which served seafood straight from the beach on location.

That's Mr. Peter and Apple (aka Pacquiao's daughter. hahahaha)

PhongPhang resto view

Yummiest Seafood Pad Thai, evar.

It was already in the afternoon that we decided to go to the Elephant trekking site in Karon. But as we were on our way there, a marvelous view has left us awestruck. There was the Karon beach, with its polvoron-like white sands and torquoise blue waters on a bright sunny morning. Karla, the Brazilian goddess from Australia told us that it resembled Bondi Beach, only less crowded.

Okay so this is a jump shot fail. But you get the point.

Jump, Erwin, Jump!

It wasn't actually the first time I saw an elephant in flesh, but it had been my closest encounter yet. Marina was the cutest of them all. With one command from her trainer, she'd happily pose for the camera, smiling, doing that upward maneuver of her trunk and crossing of her leg. It was no doubt the most adorable thing in the world. It was actually then that I finally decided that Elephants would be my favorite (jungle) animal.

Marina striking a pose with the girls!

The trekking elephant

For a discounted price (courtesy of Mr Peter) of ThB 1300, we've been entitled to a trek onboard the larger elephants, and a ticket to the elephant show. Unfortunately, we didn't have anymore budget for that. We contented ourselves with the banana feeding of our furry friends, which left us guilty having Mr. Peter haggle the price for us (up to now I feel that way, don't you guys?).

Banana feeding the elephants. Go Bebe Wilson!

After which, we drove en route Big Buddha, which according to Mr. Peter is the largest Buddha shrine in the whole of the Earth.

Lesson learned: Do not wear shorts when going to Buddhist shrines.
Or else, they give you these cloths to cover yourself with.

A smaller (golden) version of the Buddha

The Big Buddha in flesh! Or in concrete!

BANGLA ROAD, THE NIGHTLIFE OF PHUKET

The day will not be complete without the inevitable 'unwinding' to cap the night up. Bangla road in Patong is pretty much famous for its night shenanigans. Prostitution is legal in Thailand, and thus the whole of the Bangla strip is made especially for this activity.

Passing Bangla 's girlie bars

Dancing ladyboy (?) bunny

Besides that, street food was awesome. It was a little bit pricey compared to Bangkok, but it was all worth it. This place probably has the best-tasting street food in all of Thailand (made that up).

the ThB 50 Banana Pancakes

Money-saving tip: These are better for dinner than resto food

Because they had their own night out on the last day. :))

PHI PHI ISLAND CRUISE

The cruise was the highlight of the entire tour. We already have booked the tour the night before, courtesy of Erwin's family friend Ate Maan. The whole cruise, inclusive of transpo to and fro Silver Resortel (our hostel), and buffet lunch at PP Princess Hotel, amounted to ThB 1,300. There we were able to enjoy the view while riding the mini cruise ship which passed by Krabi and Maya Bay (The Beach, yes!), swim and snorkel at Monkey Island and take pictures. We also had a very satisfying lunch.

All aboard

Maya Bay (The Beach)

Port

Backpackers represent!

Our mini cruise ship. Karla's there by the way, obviously, well, never mind.

Lunch at PP Princess

Of course, all good things must come to an end, and by 7th of August, we were all set to get back to reality and reminisce this one of a kind experience in Phuket, the ultimate travel of 2011.