PHUKET, THAILAND - CITY TOUR ITINERARY

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.

Our very quiet personal driver/tour guide

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. 

Wat Chalong - Home of three revered monks

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”. 

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. 

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.