Kafil and I have just returned from a fabulous five days in Phuket. Given the recent takeover of the airports at mainland Thailand, I was a little concerned about even getting to our island escape.
However the troubles did not affect our holiday in Phuket. Security at the airport seemed a little tougher than we would have expected in a regional airport, but it did not make a big impact on our trip.
We had booked 5 nights at Karon Beach, selecting it as it seemed a more genteel location than the thriving Patong, or commercial centre of Phuket central. Our hotel was set in a luscious tropical garden, little bungalow rooms surrounded by verdant palm trees and colourful foliage. We were just moments from a stretch of pristine beach.
Overlooking the beaches is a 45 metre tall Buddha which we could see from all around, in the distance.
Phuket was everything we hoped it would be; a beautiful friendly place to relax and explore.
Kafil and I fell in love with the food of Thailand all over again; it really is our favourite cuisine.
The freshness of all the food was amazing.
We chose seafood from the iced trays on display and then had it cooked in flavours we fancied. Phuket lobster with asparagus, garlic and lemon grass. Huge tiger prawns, with basil garlic chilli and shallots. Both dishes were cooked to perfection. We also enjoyed many tasty curries, crisp salads stir fries and soups. Drinks were a lot cheaper than here in Singapore, so I had some lovely cocktails, and Kafil enjoyed a cheap and plentiful supply of the locally brewed Singha Beer.
We ventured out to visit some interesting and colourful temples at Wat Chalong and Wat Pratong, the temples are well visited and are not just tourist traps. There were plenty of locals, offering incense and praying as we took in the colours and ceremonies of the temples.
Wat Pratong has a head and shoulders of a huge golden Buddha, thought to be buried on this sacred site, the temple was built around the Buddha and the followers come in and put gold leaf onto a copy of it and 7 or so other smaller Buddha's in various poses.
Wat Chalong 
Wat PratongWe went for a jaunt on an elephant; it was great. Elephants are very tall when you are propped on top of them. They lumber up and down the pathways and its quite a rocky ride. We were taken through the jungle where we saw rubber being collected from the numerous rubber trees.
The butterflies were colorful and large, and the foliage lush and green. On our jaunts around the island it was not unusual to see Elephants being used as Beasts of Burden. Phuket is quite hilly and elephants make access to hilly building sites easier than land moving equipment.
We managed to do a little shopping as there are beautiful artifacts, embroidery, fabric and silver jewellery. Luckily we did not get to the main markets, or our luggage would have been severely over weight. Next time I go I will be leaving more room in my suitcase, as unlike Singapore the Thai people cater for large sizes in clothing and shoes, so we will go prepared next time.
I will put some photos here of our trip it was great. the weather was beautiful cool breezes in the mornings and evenings, and warm days, but not too hot and humid, made for a very comfortable few days. Such a contrast to the always steamy Singapore. I never would have expected to go to Phuket to enjoy the coolness of the weather!
Cheers and best wishes.
