Phuket island - A tropical state of mind
Updated: Oct 19, 2018
We have always been fond of booking tickets. And that’s precisely the first thing to do while planning a holiday. In the days that follow, we wake up brimming with energy cause the days call for planning, shopping, putting the itinerary into place and all things dreamy. In my mind, Thailand has been synonymous with tropical and exotic. And it rightly turned out to be so.
THE ISLAND CALLED PHUKET
So it starts with us reaching the Phuket island. Sure, it’s bustling with people but it still upholds the charm. There are plenty of beaches along the west coast of phuket for all kinds of holidaymakers. The beaches stretch out of the ocean in a picture postcard way – beautiful palm trees, pastel blue water and dark brown sand!
We stayed close to Patong beach, the busiest of all. The laidback beaches of Karon and Kata for the ones who like to take it slow and easy. For us, the days were spent in the pristine Thai waters, stroking the waves, dozing in the sand and sipping the luscious smoothies.
And the evenings were spent driving along the quaint eastern coast on our swanky scooter, an exceptionally smooth road with sea on one side and old-fashioned bars on the other, sending out a feeling of warmth with their simple décor. The sunsets were chased from random places, and we stopped wherever we found the sun melting into the horizon. Phuket has got a number of sunset viewpoints – Promthep cape and windmill viewpoint being the most popular ones, but it’s still better to chase your heart and discover your own treasured nooks and corners.
As the night sets in, we absorb the chill of the coastal wind as we ride on secluded streets numbing our minds of all the haywire emotions and filling us with the realization of the beautiful present. We then head back to Patong, the sin-city to become one with the minds gone wild with the vibe of the city.
Conveniently located just in front of the Patong beach is the Bangla road, which comes to life once the sun sets. The epicentre of phuket’s nightlife, this street is chockablock with pubs, themed bars, street performers, 4-D game stations, the infamous ping-pong shows, ladyboy cabaret dancers and of course the go-go bars. It’s a very lively and welcoming place, though it takes some effort to steer clear of the touts and street vendors trying to block your way asking you to buy something. From a distance, it looks as if the place is on steroids! Nevertheless, it’s an interesting place and should not be missed.
WHERE TO STAY: There’s a plethora of options from luxury hotels to homestays, bnbs to hostels available all over the island. But since Phuket is largely known for the pretty beaches that lie on the western coast, it’s better to stick to that area. We prefer hostels – they are clean, budget-friendly and provide the opportunity to interact with people around the world. However, if you want your own space on a budget, it’s best to go for a private room in a hostel. We stayed @ Bodega, Phuket just in front of Patong beach and quite liked it.
WHAT NOT TO MISS: Tropical fruit smoothies, Roadside crepes/pancakes and Bangla night street. And a ride along the quaint eastern coast if you are a sucker for rides
Comments