[PHUKET] Virgin Experience to Phuket, Thailand - Day 1

It's a family yearly Chinese New Year Retreat to the land of many smiles. However, we decided to not visit Bangkok as per custom but another city - Phuket. Thankfully we did, as Bangkok is so politically unstable now. But that's another story altogether.

So anyway, this is Day 1 of our 4D3N Phuket Family Getaway. As we booked 6 months before, we got pretty cheap rates from www.cheaptickets.sg - approx $378 (tax included + $65 fee to cheaptickets) per pax. Flying by SilkAir. But the timing kind of sucks. We flew in at 4pm. Pretty late to do anything for the night.

Hotel wise, we stayed at Phuket Beach Hotel - Agoda.com had some limited time offer - at a total of SGD $674 for 3 pax (meaning inclusive of 1 extra bed and breakfast).

So back to the flight to Phuket. We were so blessed to be given the EXIT seats.

Lots and lots of leg space!!! But of course in the event of an emergency (which will NEVER happen as long as i'm on the plane), people who are placed here are given the responsibility to open the EXIT door and also help the other passengers "flee". But as you can see, we landed safely. =)

By the time we reached Phuket, it was almost 8pm (GMT +7). It was so dark and cold. The moment we came out of immigration, dad and I both tried to find for the DTAC Happy Tourist Sim card.

As you can see the price is 299baht. BUT this is the price you pay at Bangkok unfortunately. We paid 495baht for exactly the same entitlements - Unlimited Internet for 7 days + 100 Baht worth of free calling credits. Let's talk about inflation.

Anyway, you can buy a DTAC Happy Tourist card from a convenience shop (something like 7-11) on the right of the immigration exit door. Come out and turn right. It's right there. Get the lady to activate it for you too.

Next came the airport transfer. We were initially quite worried, as i'm not too sure about the market price. My homework told me 800baht. But it was late and we are in a foreign land. But we were fortunate. We were approached by a guy named Ni Meh, in a uniform looking outfit. It's like a starched blue shirt and pants. Basically he looked decent. And he said that it's a standard fee of 800baht (pointing to a pillar with all the rates printed and set by the law). Feeling reassured, we sat his car and took that 1 hour plus journey all the way to Patong Beach.

This is his contact if you want. He charges 800baht from Airport to Patong Beach. Coming back, he charged us 700baht from Patong Beach to Airport. Might be a little pricey, but he is decent and quiet. Quite a nice short tanned guy. I actually feel quite safe in his car. However, because of the long journey to and fro, he ask that we call him at least the night before to book him.

Finally after an hour of car ride. We reached our destination - PATONG BEACH HOTEL!

Sorry for the bad panoramic shot. It was late and i'm just dying to check in. I booked the Superior Bed.

The bathroom is a first timer for me. An open concept Bath Tub! There are blinds available though. I can't imagine trying to take a bath with dad in the room. In any case, there is a balcony facing the pool and he spends 80% of his time there smoking away. His favourite part of Phuket is the liberty to smoke ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE.

Pumped with excitement. We put our bags down and decided to head down and walk round the vicinity to look for food. To the right of our hotel, just down the lane we happen to see this food fare going on.

I'm not too sure if this food place is permanent or not, but the banner says it's here since 2013. Now is 2014... so.....

 I bought the potato swirl thingy here at 60baht. It's really nice. We bought 2 kebab sticks for 80baht each (one pork and one chicken). I prefer the pork one, it's more succulent. The chicken one is a little dry.

Trying to be healthy, instead of drinking alcohol, me and mum decided to each get a fruit shake. CAUTION, this lady is very liberal in the syrup. Though 100baht, almost half the cup is syrup before blending in the fruits. I got the watermelon juice and mum got the mango juice. Mango tasted much much better. Mine was just plain syrup water. Anyway, she charged me 180baht instead of 200baht for 2 drinks. Good buy!

Being near Bangla Road is sure an advantage. There is lots of hype and buzz and many things to see. Massage came next! Instead of 200baht that we normally pay at Bangkok, be prepared to pay 250 - 300 baht for a food massage (an hour). That's the inflation rate.

We walked past many massage places but chose this because it looks clean - bright lights and all. The most amazing part is that they were FULL. There are 2 outlets. The one we visited is on the left of Patong Beach Hotel before Baan Laimai (i think) and next to a Subway outlet with a really jumbo size serving girl. The foot massage is 250baht for an hour.

Feeling totally pampered and ready for bed, we headed back to our hotel for a full day tomorrow. We are going PHI PHI ISLAND!!!!

Oh, i want to add that directly opposite our hotel is the beach and there were people playing with fireworks - i think you can "buy" fireworks. We could see beautiful fireworks firing up the night sky randomly. Too bad i didn't get a chance to take a snap. I'd try better next round. Till then... off to snooze land.