Holiday in Phuket, Thailand

 HOLIDAY IN PHUKET

Sawadee kap (Hello)

Hello everyone, it is me again.

During my mid-term school holiday,  I went to Phuket Island in Thailand. I went to Phuket by Air Asia and I was there from 28 May until 2^nd of June 2012. I had a fantastic 7 days exploring the islands there. I stayed in C & N Hotel in Patong.  Phuket is Thailand’s biggest island, about the size of Singapore. It has a local population of around 200,000, with transients about five times more. Phuket is warm, humid, but pleasant all year long. There are 2 seasons: rainy from May to November, and hot from December to April. The best weather is from November to April.

Wet day at Patong

It was a rainy day on our 1^st day of arrival, so we walked around Patong town.  There are many shops selling T-shirts, slippers, flip-flops, and other types of local souveniers. 

Tiger Pub

There were also many pubs. In Patong, the famous pubs are the tiger pubs. Beautiful tiger sculptures adorn the buildings of the pubs. Just awesome!

 In the evening, we went to Patong Beach. It was very windy and the waves were strong and very choppy.  For dinner, we had a variety of spicy and tasty Thai dishes and the price was incredibly cheap. Do not miss their awesome ‘Tom Yam soup’. You will definitely ask for more.

On the second day, we went to Phi-Phi Island, and we took the Sea Angel Luxury Cruise. The journey was wonderful but half way through the journey the weather changed for the worst. The sky turned dark. The winds were strong, and it rain heavily. The cruiser was tossing left and right in the Andaman Sea, and the sea was choppy and the waves were high. It was a terrible and frightening experience for me. I was glad that we all made it to the island safely.

Phi Phi Island

  Phi-Phi Island is a beautiful island with white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Many shops are lined along the long stretch of the island. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island. Everyone walks and there are some local people and children who cycle around the island. 

Viking Cave

 We went sightseeing at Maya Bay, Bida Island, and Pileh Cove . I didn’t swim there because it was very choppy and deep.  In Maya Bay, the wind was also very strong too. However, it is a very nice place. We also cruised past Viking Cave and the Monkey Beach. Viking Cave is a place where the locals go to collect birds’ nest which is a Chinese delicacy. 

Raya Island

Our next destination is Raya Island which is 30 minutes by speedboat from Phi Phi Island. Raya Island is indeed a very, very, very, beautiful with its white sandy beach and crystal clear water.

 I had a chance to go snorkeling. It was my first experience and I learn how to use the breather. I was scared at first but after some practise, I overcome my fear. Then it was time for SNORKELING!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!!! WHAT A SIGHT TO BEHOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw beautiful corals and many fishes under the sea. When I came back into the boat, our guide caught a cute little fat fish called ‘Ikan buntal’ in the Malay language. It looks like a puffer fish but it is not. It is slimy and feels soft like a soft toy. I really did enjoy my first snorkeling adventure.

My next destination is the famous ­­­James Bond Island. All of us got off from our big boat and into this small long boat to reach James Bond Island. What an adventure!

This is a famous landmark for the James Bond movie "The Man With the Golden Gun". Most tourist will make it a point to visit James Bond Island. 

We went on a package tour organize by the Amazing Canoeing Company-a very good and efficient tour company. Our tour guide, Nuch, is a very friendly person who made us feel very at home in the boat.

On the way to James Bond Island, we cruised past the magnificient limestone cliffs of Phanga  Bay. Phanga Bay is the one of Thailand’s most remarkable attractions. It is located off the cost of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. What is so beautiful about Phanga Bay is the limestone cliffs that jut vertically out of the emerald green water.

 Next, we stop at Koh Hong and the smaller islands around which have a collection of “hongs” for canoeing and sightseeing. The "hongs" are actually collapsed cave systems in the interior of each island which is only accessed by tough, purpose-designed inflatable canoes through sea-caves at low tide.

Canoeing in the crystal clear water was fun and fantastic. We canoed into the caves of the Hong Island. We saw the diamond stone which is a crystalised stalagtite. Then we canoed out into the lagoon in Hong Island. It was serene and quiet.     

Next, we went to Koh Phanak which is famous for its crystal clear lagoons. Here, we went canoeing again. We paddled through the low dark caves . It was mysterious and yet awesome touching the cold wet walls of the caves. Then we paddled into the beautiful lagoon. Open to the sky and filled with jungle flora and fauna,the lagoon was simply magnificent and nature at its best.

My holiday at Phuket was extremely exiciting and amazing for me. I had my first experience in snorkeling, canoeing, and driving an all-terrain vehicle(ATV).  I like Phuket because it is fun and adventurous.