Phuket
is the largest island in Thailand with a land area of approximately 540
square kilometers (roughly the size of Singapore.) A quarter of a
million people call Phuket their home with most being either Thai or
Chinese.Situated of the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea
temperatures vary from between 21 degrees and 34 degrees centigrade, but
due to its geographical location the months of November till April are
traditionally sunny and humid whilst May till October sees the rainy
monsoon season.
Take a Trip to Kata Noi Beach:-Kata
Noi beach is a small bay just a short drive from Kata beach, it is a
small beach but the scenery is breath taking, take some time to relax,
walk along the beautiful sands or maybe go for a swim. From the Kata
viewpoint you can look across at the bays of Karon, Kata and Kata Noi,
The best time to visit the beach is between November and April as
swimming can sometimes become dangerous during the monsoon season.
Have a Tour of The Chalong Bay Rum Distillery:-For
any keen rum drinkers the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery is sure to whet
your appetite, the company produces high end white rum which is now
starting to be noticed around the world. There is lots to do when you
arrive at the distillery, you start by taking a tour where you will
learn about the way the rum is produced before taking a look at the work
that goes on behind the scenes. The final part of the trip is in the
cocktail workshop and bar, here you will learn how to make various
cocktails that all include Chalong Bay Rum and then relax while you
sample them.
Come And See The Phuket Big Buddha:-This
huge Buddha is one of the most famous landmarks in all of Phuket,
sitting at the top of the Nakkerd Hills and standing at forty five
meters tall it is very difficult to miss. From the top of the hill you
are able to get a panoramic view of the island. When you are at the
Buddha you will notice that it is very quiet apart from the sound of
dharma music and some little bells. The Buddha is made from white
Burmese marble and sparkles elegantly in the sun.
Nai Harn Beach:-Situated
in the south of the island is Nai Harn Beach, it is a popular beach
with thousands of visitors every year but it is still relatively
untouched and maintains a lot of its originality. With beautifully soft
sand and crystal clear water you will immediately see why the beach is
so popular. Settled up under the shade of the large trees you will find
various restaurants selling popular Thai cuisine as well as various
souvenir shops selling local novelty items as well as beach wear and
floats.
Take a Wander to Karon View Point:-Sitting
just to the south of Kata Noi Beach is Karon View Point, it is the most
popular viewpoint in Phuket and is normally crowded with tourists on a
daily basis. The viewpoint looks out over the Andaman Sea in one
direction and the other direction points towards the three west coast
beaches on the other side of the island. If you like looking at white
sandy beaches and beautiful blue seas you will understand why it is so
busy at the top.
Take a Trip to Wat Chalong:-For
over a century Wat Chalong has been open to visitors, when you arrive
there is a lot to see, starting with Poh Jao Wat which houses two
statues of elderly men, one is Ta Khee-Lek (a local who won various
lotteries after he had been to visit the Poh Than Jao Wat statue, the
other is called Nonsi. Probably the highlight of your visit will be the
Grand Pagoda which contains a small splinter from the bone of Lord
Buddha, The pagoda is beautifully decorated with Buddha images and
pictures that depict his life story.
Go Shopping at Phuket Town Weekend Night Market:-Known
by the locals as Naka Market and sitting just a little way from Phuket
Town is a night market like no other. There are all sorts of things to
buy such as fruits, old curiosities, animals and clothes. A popular
event with both the locals and tourists it is best to arrive late
afternoon to ensure you get a good look around before it become packed.
Make the most of the cheap local foods on sale like the golden buttered
corn on the cob.
Hang Out at Tiger Kingdom:-If
you have ever wanted to get up close to a tiger this is the place to do
it, the Phuket Tiger Kingdom hand raises Indochinese tigers in
captivity from birth until their final days. You can choose which tigers
you want to be in the cage with and even take a professional camera man
in with you. The tigers typically get fed at around 19:00 hours but it
is also worth a visit when they open first thing to avoid the crowds.
The kingdom has two restaurants on site should you be hungry, one of
which allows you to look out at the tigers.
Get Learning at a Thai Cooking Class:-Phuket
has so many different locations that offer cooking classes that it is
certainly worth taking a lesson whilst you are there. You will notice
that a lot of the local food you eat in Thailand is different to the
Thai food you have in your native country, it somehow lacks the edge
that it does when cooked in Thailand. By taking a class you will learn
about the ingredients as well as picking up the useful skills to
continue cooking when you return home. Many places offer morning,
afternoon or whole day packages and you always get to eat what you have
cooked.
Spend a Night Out on Bangla Road:-When
the sun goes down the Bangla Road gets closed to traffic and the road
becomes alive. The street is full of bars, many of which are outside so
you seamlessly move from one bar to the next. There are normally street
entertainers looking for you to part with your hard earned cash in
return for a few minutes’ entertainment as well as touts trying to get
you into their ping pong shows or tailor shops. A positive vibe fills
the air as you work your way down the street, all the beer girls and
restaurant owners compete for your business keeping the prices low and
the fun never ending.
Celebrity Spot at Surin Beach:-Commonly
known as ‘Millionaires Row’ Surin Beach is surrounded by houses for the
rich and famous as well as luxury resorts. One look at the beach and
you can see why the place is so popular with both the Thai’s and
foreigners. Eating out in this part of the island is expensive and the
majority of restaurants overlooking the beach serve high-end cuisine,
there are also a lot of trendy wine bars to choose from.
Kok Chang Safari Elephant Trekking:-If
you are after elephant trekking in Phuket this is the best place to do
it, set in a dense tropical jungle paradise you can have a lot of fun
whilst you ride an elephant. Rides last from twenty minutes to one hour
depending on the price you are willing to pay, the ride will also take
you past a banana stand where you can have the opportunity to feed the
elephants as well. When you have finished your time with the elephants
you can relax at the bar overlooking the Kata Noi Sea.
Visit the Soi Dog Foundation:-For
anyone that has been in Thailand for any length of time will notice
that there are stray dogs and cats roaming the streets everywhere, for
any animal lovers the Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket is worth visiting,
Soi Dog sterilises approximately 12,000 animals a year making the
streets and roads safer for everyone. You can volunteer your time to
look after the animals or just go for a guided tour around the grounds
of the foundation, whatever you choose to do it is a little bit
different to the normal things tourists find to do in Thailand.
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