VL-CHRONICLES: PHUKET - 7-11 December 2013

Travelling free and easy in a big group, especially in a city, is never easy as the logistics of trying to keep everybody together can be rather challenging and frustrating at times, even among great friends!

But the fun of being together, doing things together, just being together, many-a-times outweighed the hassle of making sure everybody gets to a destination quick and safe. And that's how it was when our group decided to go overseas together for a free-and-easy trip to Phuket. As this was the first time our few families travelled overseas together the free-and-easy way, we choose Phuket as it's a small city, assuming that it will be easy to get ourselves organised. But we forgot that many heads (some impatient ones at that!) coming together to try to decide on a destination or route of journey, does make the idiom 'too many cooks spoil the broth' so true! Or realised that to a group of teenagers holiday is holiday hence keeping time should be the least concern!

But all said and done, it was still 80% fun and maybe 20% frustration. And would we do it again? You can bet your last dollar that we will! :D

PHUKET TOWN
What amazed me and caught my attention the minute we enter the city were the electrical wires upon electrical wires that lined the streets from end to end. How in the world would the technician knows which wires belong to which point in the event of a short-circuit, or was it a lazy way of just lining new wires every time one gets burnt off?

OMG, which wire belongs to which property?

Colourful bunnies standing loud and bright at the roundabout - though eye-catching, they seems to stick out like sore thumbs in the middle of a busy road amongst not-so-clean, well-worn buildings.

The newer and nicer shops in the town.

Riding on the local bus.

Enjoying one of Phuket's huge night markets. RM20 for a big, fresh steamed tilapia with special sauce - yummy!! :D

BIG BUDDHA
Phuket's Big Buddha is one of the island's most important and revered landmarks. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and at 45 metres high it is easily seen from far away.

Known among Thais as the Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha in full, it is 25 meters across at the base. The whole body is layered with beautiful white Burmese marble that shines in the sun, making it a natural symbol of hope. The views, and the actual image itself are all breathtaking.

From afar...


And up close but not personal... ;)

Close up to the image itself at the peak, it was very peaceful and the only noises you could hear were the soft, pleasant tinkling of small bells, hung up with wishes by those who came to pray, blowing in the wind amid soft background dharma music.

PATONG BEACH
Patong Beach is famous for its nightlife and 3.5 km beach that runs the entire length of Patong’s west side. On December 26, 2004, Patong Beach along with many other areas along the west coast of Phuket and Thailand were struck by a tsunami. Patong was one of the worst affected areas of Phuket but had quickly recovered as was clearly seen during our visit. New shopping complexes have since been built and there was hardly any trace of the tsunami - except for the following tell-tale sign.

An inconspicuous sign set amongst the many signboards. Can be easily missed if you are not looking...

After the White Buddha, we went chasing for the sunset at Patong Beach as we were told that the sunset at Patong can be quite spectacular if you are lucky. So we planned our time such that we will reach Patong just in time to catch the sunset. However, we did not bargain for the traffic jam, and our drivers taking us to the wrong look-out point! Although the drivers frantically drove and tried to get us to the very peak, we were too late so we didn't managed to catch the sunset at its best.

Clowning around in one of the shopping complexes in Patong before setting off to see the sunset.

Crowded street of Patong.

Patong is famous for its bars.

Guys night out? ;p Or was it an educating excursion for the younger generation on Patong's nightlife? :)

Almost sunset but we were at the wrong look-out point. We couldn't see the sun setting from here!

By the time we reached here, it was too late and this was the best we got. :(

Looking back towards one of the resorts along Patong Beach.

JAMES BOND ISLAND, PHANG NGA BAY
James Bond Island is THE famous landmark in Phang Nga Bay. It became famous and a major tourist attraction after it was featured in the James Bond movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun' in 1974.

Ok, this is where we are going...

A boat that is similar to the one taking us to James Bond Island and it's surrounding waters.

Happily sunbathing!

On the way...

Almost there...

Finally...

And here we are - the much over-rated James Bond Island! ;p

Aunties and uncles trying to look cool, aka James Bond 'Golden Gun' look - epic fail! :D

The all-important group photo!

Our boat coming to get us after the walkabout on James Bond Island.

Say cheese! :D

From James Bond Island we were taken round the surrounding waters of a few other islands in the Phang Nga Bay, which were definitely much nicer.

You jump, I jump! With such inviting clear, beautiful waters, who can resist? :D

From the big boat into the canoes for some kayaking.

Err, but we don't get to kayak ourselves! :(

But it was still fun! One for the camera!

The imposter - James Bond Island 2


Do you see the gorilla face?

And on to the fun part! We had to lie down flat in the canoe in order to get past these stalactites, and the higher the tide, the more challenging it is for the boatman to manoeuvre!