The night before our third day in
Phuket, Thailand, we approached tour booking receptionist from our hotel (A2
Resort) to arranged itinerary. Our booking agent had presented various programs
and since we had a long island hopping that day, we decided for Mini City Tour
Safari Program for 1,350 Baht / person that includes: pick up from hotel, Kata
View Point, Elephant Trekking, Big Buddha, Chalong Temple, Honey Farm, Cashew
Nut Factory, Coffee Break at Duty Free Shop and arrive back to hotel. The
Program was good as it caters all adventure we wanted to experience at Phuket,
Thailand. We learned that Weekend Market is a must experience but it was
Wednesday, thus market was closed.
Note:
(1) during negotiation your booking agent will not inform you that you can have
a private vehicle but instead of a mini tour bus with other foreign guest. For
2 -3 pax you are entitled to demand for a private vehicle. (2) For your
departure, book your transportation to airport with the same agent for they
give discount maximum of 200 Baht. (3) Choose the morning session for extended
hours and to avoid tourist crowd.
PICK
UP FROM HOTEL
As set our driver arrived on time by
0900H with shiny black Honda Civic Car as our private vehicle. He was an Indian
national and was very quiet as he speaks little of English. But, try to
converse and set a comfortable mood for reward is great as he will drop you off
to some great spots excluded from set itinerary.
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| Our very quiet personal driver/tour guide |
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| Our rented vehicle as part of bargaining |
CHALONG
TEMPLE
Chalong Temple or Wat Chalong is
certainly a worthwhile stop off point – the largest of Phuket’s temples were
locals and Thai tourist come to pray, apply gold leaf to the statues, light
incense and candles to several revered monks who were the founders of wat
Chalong, among them Luang Pho Cham and Luang Pho Chuang, 2 monks who were known
for herbal medicine and took care of local villagers.
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| Wat Chalong - Home of three revered monks |
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| Behind me are the statues were tourist applies gold leaf for blessings |
Aside from the main temple, there is
Chedi with tall tower that has a magnificent view of the Chalong, the tower
homed hundreds of life size gold Buddha statue that enveloped the place with
sacredness and wealthy culture of Thailand. Walls of stair way leading to the
tower top was painted with scenes from the life of Buddha and the tower is what
said to be a fragment of bone of Buddha himself.
Around Wat Chalong temples are local
shops that bargains perfect souvenir items. I was able to buy a Thai shirt for
100 Baht.
Note:
(1) never forget to take your shoes off when entering temples as elders really
gets upset; (2) wear decent clothes as shorts, skirts and revealing blouses are
strictly prohibited.
KATA
VIEW POINT
Heading to Karon our next destination was the “Kata Viewpoint” and is certainly the most visited viewpoint in Phuket. Prior to view point there were locals offering picture taking with eagle for 100 Baht and it was sure fire hit for tourist crowd. The view was magnificent and ready for postcard printing, from viewpoint you can see Kata Noi, Kata and karon beaches, along with the little island “Koh Pu”.
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| Kata View Point |
Note:
(1) Bring some change for restrooms at this area is charge for 5 Baht/person;
(2) bring bottled water to quench your thirst.
ELEPHANT
TREKKING
Winding road to safari for elephant
trekking, you will encounter literally elephants alongside of roads like a
normal horses and/or cows grazing the land. Elephant trekking is one popular
attraction in Phuket its best to have a package tour since a 30 minutes or 45
minutes trekking will cost 900 to 1,100 Baht (compared to our package of 1,320
Baht). For our 30 minutes trek, it goes around the village and some hillocks.
The elephant is manned by a mahout and only two people can ride at the top. The
elephant will make a stop sometimes to pee or worse dump creating a smelly
atmosphere.
Note:
Before the trek ends, some mahout will try to extort by selling you some
souvenir items such as necklace for 500 to 800 Baht and will explain to you
that it is intended for elephant food. Just simply ignore but expect them to be
rude for the remaining 10 minutes of your ride.
BIG
BUDDHA
Phuket’s Big Buddha also known among
Thais as the Phra Puttamingmongkol
Akenakkiri is one of the island’s most important landmarks. The huge image
stands 25 meters across base and sits on top of Nakkerd Hills between Chalong
and Kata is undoubtedly visible from afar. It’s a must visit island destination
that offers the best 360 degrees view of the island; a perfect place to
meditate with its tranquility and peacefulness with bells as only source of
noise; and mesmerized up close with the image as the whole body is layered with
beautiful white Burmese marbles that shines under the sun.
Added bonus to this attraction is an opportunity to be blessed by
monks with friendship bracelet that he will personally tie knot on you; souvenirs
in great quality are for sale – I was able to acquire a framed elephant adorned
with gems and stones (they call “Thai Story) for only 250 Baht; and the visit
was interactive as you can light incense, seek advice to monks, clip money to
their love tree and all for the benefit of completion of Big Buddha
construction.
Note:
(1) save your money for great find souvenir shopping in Bid Buddha; (2) strict
dress code is implemented here – sarongs are provided for those wearing shorts
to cover; (3) be generous and help in
completion of Big Buddha
CASHEW
FARM FACTORY
Cashew farm factory is a pit stop from our city tour to buy
presents to bring home (pasalubong) – it’s a shop front that allows visitors to
take a glimpse of the factory during production. The primary product as
obviously cashew – from roasted, raw, sugar coated spicy, jam and any
innovative way you can do with cashew. It’s a delightful stop for you can taste
everything for free. If you buy 10 packs of any assortment you’ll get 1 pack of
dried fish for free. We spent 1,500 Baht in this place, but no regrets!
Note:
For their products check this link for their site: http://phuketdir.com/metheephuket/index.htm
HONEY
BEE FARM
This side trip is more on educational trip on how they collect
honey and allowing you to hold beehives for picture taking. After a short
course on honey production they will escort you to their shop that sells
products made from honey: honey water, vitamins from honey, chocolates, soap,
lotion and more. Items are interesting with its innovativeness, all natural and
health benefits but the price was quite a fortune. At entrance just try honey
ice cream for 50 Baht and be delighted.
Note:
You may want to talk to your driver to trade this place to anywhere much
interesting and fun.
COFFEE
BREAK AT DUTY FREE SHOP
This for me is the deceiving part that clearly speaks of marketing
strategy between car rentals and duty free shop. The building was colonial
inspired that we thought of a courtesy call, but upon entering we immediately
escorted to leather goods and met Louis Vuitton, Prada, Hermes, Alexander
McQueen and Dior. Showing no interest our guide shifted us to jewelry section
when our only wish was to find the exit door. Time spent here was a total
wastage for who wants to shop for million worth of item/s on your summer island
vacation? Good thing they have this coffee shop that offers the best Kiwi
Frappuccino I had for only 55 Baht.
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| Duty Free Shop |
Note:
Interiors and framed dolls are the only interesting sight in here but taking
pictures is strictly prohibited for I tried once and almost get deported.
We arrived back at hotel
quarter past 4 and well satisfied spending 1,350 Baht for city tour. I had
learned a lot and experience an adventure only Phuket can offer, most of all I
embraced the rich culture and tradition of the island that made me scream for
more.
