The last time I went to Phuket, I honestly had no idea and recollection of Phuket beaches. But now I can understand why people love going to Phuket. With the sand and waters a perfect shade of blue, every photo looks like it’s a postcard regardless of which beach you’re at.
Instead of staying at the very popular Patong beach, Karon was our choice of accommdation. A little quieter but no less pretty. Even the view from our resort balcony was picturesque. With the beaches looking the way they were, it was an easy decision to make regarding spending most of our time at the beach. Bronzed skin, here we come!
The thing I didnt expect about Phuket beaches was the strong waves that came in. Boy, were we caught off guard when we went a-splashing in the waters at Karon beach. The waves looked like you could surf on them. Well, baby surf that is. But were they BIG or were they BIG. The fun part was trying to jump onto the peak of the wave as it comes crashing into you! Hahaha! The resulting failure is having the waves crash over you and wash you up on the sand like a beached whale. Perfect example of (not-so-sexy) beach hair. Haha!
So since we stayed away from where the realll action in Phuket was, a trip to Patong itself was obviously due. If I’ve got any advice for anyone traveling to Phuket/Patong, either 1) stay in Patong and save yourself the trouble of haggling over the price of a Tuk-Tuk or 2) rent a motorbike for about 300 THB a day and ride your way there. Tuk-Tuks cost 300 THB (~12.50 SGD) one way and honestly, I’d pick the second option because in Phuket you can ride a motorbike without a license this whole haggling/bargaining thing really isnt my cup of tea.
Anyhoo, Patong is a must-see if you havent already been there. The Patong market by day was like your regular street market. Stalls were lined up selling cheap (and sometimes dubious looking) food and random jewelry. Motorbikes and cars whizzed by inches away from your leg hair as you browsed the stalls giving you opportunities time and time again to watch your life flash before your eyes.
The clubs and their signs were the ones that amused me the most, especially the Husband Day Care Centre. Patong is synonymous with sex and judging from the position of the banner, husbands placed in the day care centre are gonna gogo for the A-go-go. It’s more likely that husbands will be hankering to be put in the day care centre than be willingly dropped off.
But that’s not even the fun part. The fun begins when night falls and the clubs come alive. Bar top dancing, booty shaking, but the sexciting ping-pong shows happen behind closed doors.
We didnt stay for the shows obviously, but instead took a trip to the beach. In comparison to Karon beach, Patong beach was a lot more crowded and infinitely busier.
We didnt do any of the aerial sports, but opted for water sports, like snorkeling, at the three Khai islands, Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Koh Khai Nui, off Phuket. That was where we got upclose with some of the local residents.
Each of the three Khai islands are a beautiful sight. Whether it was because of the colourful (rentable) umbrellas or the setting sun, awesome shots are a must.
With such a beautiful scenery, of course you’ll have to do the customary swimsuit shot.
Half of the days were spent on the beach while the other half was spent at the numerous markets and malls. Yes, there are several (okay maybe just two) malls in Phuket: Jung Ceylon and Central Festival.
I tried makeup shopping at these places but they didnt have anything interesting or the brands that I wanted. Bangkok has NARS, but sadly not Phuket. So thankfully, I brought my own makeup for the trip! Yay!
In the eye department, I trusted MAC for their mascara, concealer and eyeliner. MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer, MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved, MAC Fluid Line and MAC Zoom Lash to keep my peepers pretty for shopping trips.
Unlike my Hong Kong travel makeup kit, because Phuket’s sun is like no other, you’ll need sunblock for your face on top of slathering sun protection on your skin every 2 hours. So, BioTherm’s BB White D-Tox BB cream was my weapon of choice, giving light coverage and sun protection for a really natural face of the day.
And why do I say Jung Ceylon in Patong is a better mall than Central Festival? For one, it has more things you can shop for. Secondly, it’s not as far and probably wont get conned into paying 500 THB traveling to Jung Ceylon. Last and definitely most importantly, you get awesomely cute shoes at Jung Ceylon! I have no idea what to wear them with, but arent they the cutest? Haha!
