December in Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, Thailand - 03-08 December 2016
This was one trip that I was looking forward to the whole of 2016. A 5-day getaway to Phuket with my Homies, my soulsisters, my Highschool best friends. I was so excited to finally be in one place with all four of us complete after, what, 6 years!
Unfortunately, the gods weren't ready for our get-together, and circumstances made them not push through. But for someone who has booked tickets and accommodations months ahead, (even before the trip to Europe was finalized), I couldn't not push through. So here we gooo...
Afternoon of Arrival Day.
12:30 nn. arrival in HKT.
1:30 pm. check in at The Charm Resort, Phuket in Patong.
2:30 pm. lunch at a random place by Patong beach, not worth a mention.
3:30 pm. Stroll at the beach, had some street food - literally handmade pancakes with oily nutella, and banana - which I was craving for every day of our stay there, and even when we got back to Dubai. And had some fresh coconut while people watching and enjoying the beach view, and not caring about anything else other than that moment.
8 pm. Walked home. Bought some drinks along the way, and called it a day.
Day 2.
6:30 am. Breakfast at the Charm Resort.
7:45 am. Pick up for our day tour to Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island. And it rained!!! :(
Island hopping, and canoeing, and sightseeing with a not so good weather. But well, you gotta enjoy what you got! Oooohhh, and we had an 8-month-old baby in our tour, Arianna, who wasn't even complaining island hopping while it was raining. So yes, I was fine the whole time :)
Phang Nga Bay, Panji Island (James Bond Island), Hong Island, Bat Cave (canoeing and wishing I could shrink! I got soooo scared!), Panak Island, and some free time in Lawa Island.
6 pm. Back in Patong, a long hot shower, and we were off to eat!
7 pm. Unrushed walk to find the Sweet Restaurant. Their food was really good - the two of us finished a meal for 3. Yessireee! And giving 5 stars for their service! Plus, we found the best place to have Mango Sticky Rice in Patong. We even went back the next day just to have them. I would recommend the Sweet Restaurant to anyone visiting Patong.
8:30 pm. Off to Bangla Road, strolling, and just enjoying the electric vibe with a drink in hand.
9:30 pm. Crashed! We feel so old! haha
Day 3.
7 am. Early morning walk by the beach. It was still gloomy, and breezy, and we were just taking the view in. A real vacation means no concrete plans, and no fussing about anything, so there we were, inhaling all the good things.
11 am. Jungceylon Mall
12 nn. Pum Thai Restaurant and Cooking School. We wanted to try do some cooking but their scheds weren't free that day, so we booked one for our last day; and had some Mango Sticky Rice! Did not go a day without it. hihi
2 pm. We decided to go on an adventure and explore Phuket more, so we booked an ATV ride and see the Big Buddha in Wat Chalong.
2:30 pm. Sandwich Shoppe (good coffee!) while waiting for our ATV adventure pick up
An elephant appears to be crying after carrying heavy tourists. Poor gentle giants. :(
Leaving this sad truth aside, it was an exhilarating ride going up the steep roads to the Big Buddha, and then getting through these muddy, uneven roads without bumping into these lovely creatures.
6 pm. After a couple of hours, we asked to be driven to No. 9 2nd Restaurant instead of heading straight back to the resort. No. 9 2nd Restaurant was on top of Tripadvisor's must try cheap eats and authentic Thai food, but having tried Sweet Restaurant, I'd say it's still unbeaten.
8 pm. Back in the hotel and indulged in some downtime by the Charm Resort Rooftop Pool and Bar.
Day 4.
Phi Phi Islands by Speedboat.
Rough seas and me - we aren't a good match I tell you. It was terrible, it was almost traumatic. But when this view greets you after an hour of boat ride, it gets undone. Well not totally, but the trip becomes worthy of the seasickness and all.
Swimming and snorkeling the day away. I'd rather be in the seas, struggling with the big waves (with a life vest of course!, and with my trusty Tribord snorkeling mask. heee), than on the boat gasping for air, so if we stop for even 10 minutes, I get off and bathe in the cool waters, and be burnt by the scorching sun.
6 pm. Back in Patong, sunburnt and exhausted and starving! Showered and out and about for dinner.
7 pm. Break Point Restaurant for dinner. We wanted Sweet Restaurant again, but opted to try another place, so off we were to the restaurant across. Nope, not satisfied. Not even close. Hmp.
8 pm. Vayo Massage and Beauty Salon - Had a relaxing hour of full body massage. Aaaahhh!!
9 pm. Sweet Restaurant!!! We really couldn't help it. Back here for the Mango Sticky Rice! :D
Day 5.
7 am. Breakfast at the Charm Resort. Everyday for 5 days.
8 am. Patong Beach. Weather was better so we finally got to swim! :)
9 am. A leisurely stroll, while looking for those locals selling pancakes by the beach! No sign of them at this hour :(
10 am. Rooftop Pool and Bar. Swimming and camwhoring. Trying out the Dome we got for the GoPro Hero 4 we have. Mostly fail. But yep, we had bloopers, and we had fun!
2 pm. Jungceylon Mall for some souvenirs and gifts to take home. Shopping, and chilling without a care in the world. It feels like home - strolling in malls with no reason really.
6 pm. Pum Thai Cooking Class
8 pm. Back in the hotel. Packing up :(
Early morning by the beach on the morning of our departure day, people watching, talking, and laughing, and loving life.
Unquestionably, a trip to remember. Never mind the frustrations on not being with the Homies. Never mind no itineraries, and still coughing during the whole trip; and rainy days beaching. It was a beautiful experience with my favorite person, and a first. And yep. Hashtag blessed. haha
Kisses. Hugs. And to gaining a new perspective (and a few kilos;p) from vacations not as what you've expected and planned, but still making the most out of what you have, and opening your eyes to how beautiful this world and this life is.
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