Phuket Day 1

I have a short getaway in phuket with some of my friends. Although it was only a 2 day trip but it was overall a memorable and affordable one.

Our flight to phuket was during early morning 7am. Luckily for me, I stayed in the west, and I have few friends (Willie, ws and Emily) to share the midnight taxi charges with :P Our other 2 friends weren’t that lucky as they have to fork out the full amount themselves. As much expected, they were complaining how expensive the taxi fare was. I couldn’t comment much but only say that staying in the West is a great thing.

Our flight was at the budget terminal. First impression of the terminal was "Wow it is really budgeted!!" The facilities weren’t as complete as terminal 1 & 2 and the overall outlook looks "budgeted" as the name of the terminal has already implies.

We have a quick breakfast and we hop on to our first trip to phuket. Before I get into the plane, another sight shocked me. There weren’t any passenger walk path to the plane, we have to take the stair up into the plane. I was impressed and I totally agreed that budget is the word for this terminal. Nevertheless, it is also a good experience to take the stair up the plane and it is also my first time. Usually, I only get to see it on tv shows when prime ministers or presidents pay diplomatic visit to other countries.

Shortly after 2 hrs we arrived at the phuket international, and our next destination will be our hotel. We hire a meter taxi as instructed by the overall chief in organizing cum welfare cum the best Emily. The other alternative then was to get a private car to send us to the hotel but we somehow feel uneasy sitting in those car which bill size can approach "infinity" and we will be next roast pig under their merciless chopper (Translated from Chinese).

We took a 40min ride to the hotel and I slept my way through the whole journey. Upon arriving at the hotel, we are greeted with warm welcome and the sea view was fabulous. I am sure everyone is hungry after the long trip there and we settle ourselves with a hearty western brunch (Breakfast + Lunch).

Soon, it begins to rain and we settle into our respective hotel room. We have a good view of the patong beach but the weather don seems to be doing us a great favor. I was on the phone with willie at the moment when a para-chuter flew pass our window. He seems to be so pathetical in the mid air and being dragged across the sky at the mercy of the wind and rain. sweat for him!.

We waited for an hour or 2 before the rain start to subside, thereafter we went out for a walk in the phuket town. I think we have a common goal there....shopping and we display what most Singaporean are good in. Cut cut cut the price. Actually to me the price is not a very big factor as Singapore dollar to Thailand baht is worth alot, but the real accomplishment is the sense of satisfaction when you reduced the price to what you wanted.

Finally after much negotiation, we finally got our goods and the lady boss got her sales. Next, we found a booth offering one day trip in phuket and as usual we display what Singaporean are good in. ha ha we took up the ATV tour and one day snorkeling trip :P

We arrived at mid hill after a 40min ride in the tour van from our hotel accompanied by a newly wedded couple. The ATV was great and powerful. We drive the vehicle up the hill and the journey was full of rough turn and rocky slope. I love to drive and I love this first experience of driving up the hill. Strongly recommended for those who are going to phuket for a holiday :P The ride was a relatively short one but the experience was great and memorable.

Following, we went to for a snake tour with emily who watch from a distance. I have a great feel of the snake and it wasnt as scary as I thought to be. Next was the snake show performed by a expert who really has got a way with cobra.

Soon, it was time for our departure as well as dinner time. ha we have japanese food for dinner and we are well served by the waitresses who really make us feel like home. Me and damien took a long long stroll back to our hotel after Irene and Willie went missing. The night is still young and we all went for a swim in preparation for the next day snorkelling.