THAILAND - Phuket, City Tour

Being Thailand’s largest island and receiving nearly 10 million tourist yearly, Phuket needs no further introduction. Phuket is about 25% smaller than Singapore and the main income derives from tourism.


 I just came back from Phuket a few days ago, taking advantage of the Eid holidays.


All low cost flights have shifted to the new airport, called the KLIA2. The new airport most definitely looks better than the previous LCCT and is also much bigger.


Had my breakfast here at the airport’s food court. A variety of foods are sold there. But be prepared to pay premium price for edible food.


9.45am was my flight time. Plenty of time to wonder around the newly built KLIA2.


I’m off to Thailand. One word of advice. You have to be at your gate 30 minutes before your flight time and the walking distance from the immigration checkpoint to the respective gates takes about 20 minutes or more. One hour before your flight departure, you should have already enter the International Departure entrance.  If you are still here (as picture above) 40 minutes before your departure time. RUN!


The Premium Outlet of Phuket just beside the restaurant where I had my lunch. Didn’t see many cars parked at this shopping centre. Guess it’s not that famous here in Phuket.


Ate my lunch which also was my first meal in Thailand. Tom Yum Seafood, Green Curry Pork, Pad Thai and a coconut.


First stop is a shopping destination. Pornthip Phuket. It is famous for its dried mince pork and other dry food product. Not a recommended place for Muslims.


Well, I bought some pork souvenirs and I’m off to my next destination.


My Phuket City Tour started when I arrived at the Phuket International Airport. I arranged the airport pick up and tour through the internet. I have heard horror stories of taxi and van demanding high fares so I arranged for everything beforehand.


The local guide that brought us around is Siriporn Surakul and can be contacted at noi_hkt@hotmail.com. I call her by her nickname, Noi. You can also contact the company and arrange all Thailand tours through a company called Sun Leisure World. Their website is www.sunleisureworld.com. They even list all their pricing on the web and no payment is required until you start your tour on that day.


You can always enhance your looks here at the famous Bangkok Hospital. Medical tourism is famous in Thailand.


Hmm…another shopping stop? I’m now at the Sribhurapa Orchid.


That’s Noi briefing me on the cashew trees.


Can you see the fruit on the cashew tree? Well, those are only fake plastic ones. The tree is real, but it’s not in season now. So no real fruits growing during this time.


Cashew nut. One of my favourite nut.


The nuts symbolize gold while dolphins signify happiness. The wave is symbol of society and environment in crisis. Different forms of support and patronage are represented by water dragon.


The nut, dolphin, wave and dragon.


A worker was demonstrating the shelling process.


From the cashew tree, you dry, boil then boil again.


Later is the shelling and peeling process.


Care for some cashew juice? I tried but didn’t really like the sweet sour taste.


Cashew nuts with many different flavours. Some might prefer the Tom Yam flavour. There are free tasting and I like the chocolate flavour best.


Credit card is also accepted. I bought some cashew nuts as I heard that cashew nuts are cheap in Phuket. Moreover, it’s delicious.


That’s me posing with the giant cashew fruit.


Oh my goodness, another shopping stop. Well, its also a knowledge tour.


Noi explaining the process of honey harvesting.


My beau holding up the bee hive. Be careful not to drop it or you’ll be stung by the hundreds of bee.




I’ve been told that this is the largest bee hive in Thailand.


Big Bee. Didn’t buy anything here. However I had some passion fruit honey ice cream here, nothing to shout about though. The promoter who attended to us came from Hong Kong and he spoke in Cantonese to us while explaining the difference between natural honey and synthetic honey.


At last, a real tourist attraction - the Wat Chalong.


Heading towards the famed temple of Phuket.


Chalong Temple or Chai Tararam Temple Muang District, Phuket province is the most famous temple in Phuket.  .


Built during the start of the 19th century, Wat Chalong is the largest and most visited Buddhist temple in Phuket.



Believers lighting up incense in front of the temple.









Monks praying inside the temple.




Many Korean tourist can be seen exploring Wat Chalong.


A group of tourist taking a selfie or should I say groupie.












A monk ringing the bell.


The Grand Pagoda dominates the temple ground.


It is said that this Pagoda houses a splinter of Buddha’s bone.













The pagoda sure is tall.


Time to make a move.


The final stop of my tour is the famous Karon View Point also known as Hill of the Three Beaches.


There’s a shade and some benches at the top for you to relax and enjoy the view.


The closest beach is Kata Noi Beach followed by Kata Beach and the furthest is Karon Beach. One last look before heading to the hotel in Patong.
 

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