Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Phuket Island - Family Trip 2006



Last minute trip to Phuket even though it was raining most of the time turn out to be a fun trip. First time flying out of the new low cost airport by air asia, looks kinda like a big warehouse or gudang. Surprisingly we didn't have much delay only 15 mins. We all had nasi lemak on the plane...RM 12.00 per box (nasi lemak, tea and free kit kat). By the time we got into Phuket it was evening. After checking into the hotel in Allamanda Phuket Laguna, we went not island hoping but hotel hoping around the resort. Seeing that we were in Thailand, we all wanted to eat authentic Thai Cuisine and ended up at Ruen Thai in Dusit Laguna for dinner. In this resort, there's many hotels and one of the best one was Banyan Tree Phuket. Lovely decor, very zenish reminds me of Datai in Langkawi. I like Dusit the best...nice beach front.

The next morning, after the rain we hop onto to the free shuttle and headed onto Laguna Beach. Only got to spend 15 mins on the beach before the storm came in and we got more rain. Next we decided to rent a car to see the Phuket, I've been here before but that was like 10 years ago. I guess alot has changed since then. We got a VIOS and I drove while Leona navigated. We stop at Tesco to buy some grocery for breakfast and then had lunch there. Next we went to the mall called Central Festival. Huge mall probably like 1 Utama minus new wing. Next we went to Wat Chalong the famous temple there. The most strking thing is that they were putting firecrackers into this little hut, offering by devotees. So QL, got one small one for 30 baht and it was cool. The atmosphere plus the smell of firecrackers really reminded us of chinese new year and how much we miss the them.

It was really nice to drive around the island, we passed by Kata Beach, Patong (Tsunami Area) now all newly rebuild. Looks alot like Gurney Drive in Penang, beach also looks the same and the shops reminds me so much of Petaling Street. Cheaper in KL everything here so expensive. While driving up to Kamala beach, pass by the Tsunami Monument Burial Ground.

Had dinner at Pan Yaah, another seafood place...lovely food too. We all love fell in love with the Tom Yam Soup. Vicky who didnt like Thai food was enjoying her dinner.
I think the best attraction of our trip was the trip to Phuket Fantasea. Mini Disneyland plus Las Vegas Shows. Got there at 7.15pm collected out tickets and proceed inside this fantasy land. Shops all around selling souvenirs and gifts. There also elephant ride and feeding the elephants too. I was so scared but managed to go close and feed them bananas and sugar canes. Show started at 9pm before that we all had to surrender our cameras and phones before entering the main theater. The show was FANTASTICO!!! Really had a wonderful time.

The next day, still rainin so our plans to go to the beach was very much out of the question. So we decided to head back to Patong, this time to get some Thai Massage and do some shopping before we leave.

We checked out at 2 pm and our taxi driver came to take us to the airport. Arrived back home safely at 6.15 pm. We all had fun, next year got to plan and see where we'llo go off too next.

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