Travelogue Day 5: Until we meet again..

5 Days passed and it is time to say goodbye. There are tons of places I haven't visited in Phuket (like Similan Island) so I guess maybe next time I will visit again. Time? I don't know when. So, until we meet again.....

Just some things I might miss from Phuket

Unbelievably messy wire

Thai language I don't understandThose flea market selling colorful stuff (and the fact you have to haggle for things you want to buy)interesting shopping malland of course the beach..

Travelogue Day 4: So Many Places, So Little Time, Not So Nice Weather..

There are still a lot of places we haven't visited and according to my long list which I made before I came, these places need at least half a day to explore.

So we started by hiring a taxi for half a day. Cost quite a lot but I was surprise when we were picked up by a van. Not so expensive for the whole van and just two of you inside plus driver.

So first stop, I really wanted to go to Phromthep Cape. This place is well known for it's scenery, especialy during sunset. I wanted to go there around evening time but since today's weather is a bit gloomy. I guess we wouldn't be able to see the sunset.

On the way, our driver asked us if we wanted to stop at Karon View Point. It is very nice of him since I actually never mention I want to go there. Since it is on the way to Phromthep, why not??

Karon view point - not so clear view because of the gloomy weather

Once we arrived at Phromthep, the weather was very bad. It rained heavily and there were strong wind. In the end I didn't have a chance to see Phromthep Cape. I only saw it from hill at the side of it.

Windmill?
Gloomy day

So we head to Phuket Town to go to the market. It was stil raining so I figured it will be better if we just go to the market first (at least it is dry) and go to the other places after the rain.

Thai KFC

Next desination is Wat Chalong. It is the biggest temple in Phuket and very beautiful. But again, it was the rain that didn't allow me to take many pictures. Though it was raining, there were still a lot of tourist around the temple. Guess weather won't stop anyone from going to their destination.
Last but not least, the Big Buddha of Phuket. This giant Buddha statue is located at Kata view point. From the top of the hill you can see a breathtaking view of Phuket town. I suppose in a clear day it will be very nice to take pictures from the hill top.

Travelogue Day 3: Tranquility

Today we moved to Karon Beach. The beach is located at the south part of Patong Beach.
Upon arrival in the hotel I realized Karon is not as crowded and noisy like Patong. There are a stretch of shops near Karon circle but somehow time passes slower here.

We decided to blend with the place, enjoying our quiet time. It was raining outside also so we were not able to explore the place.

Our hotel at Karon - SugarPalm, Karon
Nice, clean budget hotel - only 3 mins walk to the beach

Nothing much we can do in Karon. Most shops sell the same thing like in Patong. We wanted to buy some local snacks but couldn't find one. Choosing a place to eat also quite difficult. In the end we ended up in this Mediterranean looking restaurant and order Thai food there. The food is not too bad.

somehow I can't remember the name of this restaurant

Strolling on the beach is a good option at Karon but since it just rained, the wave was big. Not many people around - it feels like you own the whole beach.

not really ABANDONED
i was there

Other than the beach, Karon also has a temple called Wat Suwan Khiriket. When we went there, some people were preparing their stalls for pasar malam. Here, finally we found some snacks from Thailand. This crackers made from pancake skin? I guess.. egg white and jelly. It is very nice, I can stop munch - even now..

Travelogue Day 2: So This is Paradise

Wake up early today since we have a trip to Phi Phi Island. For you who don't know, Phi Phi Island was featured in the movie "The Beach." Yes. It is an old movie. Can't remember when I watched it but last time I thought it will be nice to visit the place.

Anyway back to the tour. A van picked us up at around 8 and transfer us to the jetty. The journey took about 45 minutes and when we arrived, we still have to wait for other people since we used bigger speed boat (meaning more people inside).

The tour guide told us that we will visit 3 islands, Phi Phi Ley (where the movie was taken), Phi Phi Don (bigger island and you can stay overnight there) and Koh Khai. During the trip we will snorkel as well and I was excited since I never snorkel before.

Maya Bay
First stop is Maya Bay, the most famous beach from all the place we visit in the tour. This place was featured in the movie and even in a low season this place still visited by many tourist.
NOTE: during the monsoon season, the beach is actually shorter. So short beach plus many tourist is actually not a good idea.

Maya Bay - a heaven indeed

Pi Leh Bay
I can't remember if this is the name of the place. But the place is our second stop. "This is the place where Mr Leonardo Di Caprio kill the shark in the movie," that was what our guide said.

the water is very deep but we can't swim due to the tide

Monkey Beach
is the most fun place since you can see all the monkeys. But be careful if you bring food with you cause they can snatch it. Our guide warned us not to go to close to the monkey cause few days earlier a tourist got bitten by the monkey. Scary... I don't really like monkey anyway so I just took photo of the beach. It was very nice and the water was clear.

Featuring: my sister

Phi Phi Don
we didn't get a chance to explore the island and just see it from a distance. According to our guide, what we saw is only 20% of the island that survive tsunami. So can imagine how bad the disaster was.

We didn't stop at the island because our captain said the sea will be quite bumpy in a while and he was right. On the way to the last island, the wind was very strong and seems like our boat was not moving. Guess that was the worst experience ever.

Khai Island
Last stop. Our boat is the first one to arrive there so we can have our lunch quietly and enjoy the view. We stayed for about 2 1/2 hours there, so we can relax on the beach.

Half an hour after our lunch, few boats came and there goes the calm and quiet beach. Next thing you see was an overcrowded beach full with tourist. Well we had the half hour to enjoy anyway..

calm and quiet beach - well not for long

All the places we went are very beautiful but maybe during the high season it will be nicer since the water will be clearer. Anyway, Phi Phi Island and its surroundings are heaven indeed...

Travelogue: Day 1 - Welcome to Phuket

Just arrived at Phuket, Thailand this morning. Quite a tiring journey since I went to KL first and stay in the airport for 8 hours before my flight to Phuket.

A bit concern since now is the low season in Phuket and from the weather forecast, have to prepare for the worst – rain.

Fortunately, the weather was good. Quite happy when I saw the blue sky from the plane.

Since it is low season in Phuket, most hotels slash their price to attract more tourist. Including the hotel we stayed in – Mercure, Patong.

The hotel is very nice. Not exactly on the beach but not too far as well. Just 5 minutes walk and you will find yourself on the most crowded beach in Phuket, Patong Beach.

Mercure Patong – better chose room which face the swimming pool than the city.

Although it is a low season, Patong still very busy. Along the beach you can see different activities; people sunbathing, swimming, jet skiing, even parasailing.

If you want to try parasailing and never tried one, don't worry the person will go with you so you can land safely. The unsafe part, he will go with you without any safety gear whatsoever.

Too many things you can see at Patong, including this dead blowfish

Introducing my companion, my sister

Parasailing - the one on the left is the guy. Wonder how long he's been doing that since he doesn't need any safety gear

And finally.. sunset

We stayed on the beach until sunset and after that have some rest in the hotel for tomorrow's trip, Phi Phi Island. Can't wait....

Abstract

Some random photos from yesterday. Taken in the National Museum during Night Festival 2009.

~ DNA ~

~ crystals ~

Painting The Sky

This is what I like about Singapore – there are lots of festival happening during the year to keep me busy taking photo and they were fun. To be honest I find Singapore is boring. It is a small country and if you go to the same place every week you will feel bored very soon.

Anyway back to the festival. I just came back from Night Festival which held in Singapore National Museum. This is the second time they held this festival. Last year I went but haven't bought my DSLR yet so all photos taken were in very bad quality. But honestly, I found last year one more impressive. Maybe because they held it for the first time.

During Night Festival, the National Museum will be open until 2 am and free admission. If I am not mistaken, the Peranakan Museum and Art Museum also participated in this as well.

So, enjoy the pictures...
(not many pictures since it was very crowded and all my photos went through massive cropping to crop away all people's head from it)

untitled

Just some photo from Keppel Bay Island and Labrador Park. Somehow I feel it looks like typical wallpaper shot and somehow show my mood for today, lonely..