In which I hit Phuket hard (and was too delirious with exhaustion to complete a blog post)

Hi Internet! Yesterday was loads of fun, I went to all the further away spots of Phuket that were on my list (I have a list for each place, I am that person) and although I have lots more time in the city and will see and do many more incredible things, I definitely ticked off a lot just in one day. At the same time, I was insane levels of tired last night, having had two early or ridiculously early starts, not to mention loads of stress (update, I still hate my bank) but wanted to get this out while the details are still fresh. But it did not happen because I crashed out half way through, so today before beach time, here goes…

Now, as you know I have been staying in Phuket, but Phuket is actually a big place and I am in a hotel in Patong, not too far from Patong Beach. This makes beach going and some other destinations as easy as hoofing and not getting lost (haha, I heard it). Now the Phi Phi Islands boat trip was easy because transport to the marina was arranged and despite the misery and disaster of it, the minibus taxi ride from the airport was out of my hands too. Soon after I arrived however, I realised that other parts of the island, places I wanted to see and things I wanted to do, were much too far to go on foot and unlike Bangkok, there is not the train to rely on. Thus, you are left with three choices, rent a mode of transport yourself and find your way to wherever, hail or order taxis when necessary or be part of organised tour groups. The first is dangerous and prone to getting lost if you are me, the second is haphazard and expensive and the third is also expensive and at the whims of tour guides. Instead I chose option 2.5, taxi companies which offer set tour routes with a set price for a given number of hours. The American ladies on the boat trip had done this but for more than I paid, granted they had dollars and were two people splitting the cost. However, the one company’s city tour looked perfect for me and ticked off so many things on my list and I was renting the taxi for 6 hours so I could say when we left one place for the next.

That is how I was in an airconditioned Isuzu at 9AM yesterday heading past the beaches to Karon Viewpoint. This is a well-built spot with numerous motorised binoculars, which I didn’t use because I didn’t have change, where all around and wherever one looked was a brilliant image of the sea, beaches and islands far below. The viewpoints around Phuket were high on my list, this way I could spend as much time as needed at each one. The weather was not bright and clear but certainly the early part was a more pleasantly moderate temperature.

Next up we drove through Rawai Bay and to Phrom Thep viewpoint which is an expansive built up area with unparalleled views of everything below. This complex also has a shrine and a lighthouse! Although no one was paying attention to that. The views were spectacular and I kept on looking and taking photos until I had gotten my fill. I then needed to relieve myself. The toilets required a 5 Baht fee, no problem, I went in and saw no toilet paper (that was why there were mini packs of tissues on sale) just the water sprayer. No problem, I have a tissue pack, sanitiser, everything. I am about to sit down when I see the biggest spider I have ever seen in real life on the door right in front of me. It was huge, maybe not tarantula sized, but it was a big portion of the size of my hand. Also, have I mentioned my significant and deep-seated arachnophobia? Yes, this was in fact the most terrified I have ever been in my entire life. I almost got up to run away but was afraid my bladder might not make it. I finished, wiped, barely yanked up my underwear, dress still in hand and scrambled the door open and ran out of the stall. I am not gross, but I do not even care that I did not flush. Sorry, certainly not sorry. But other than the abject terror, Phrom Thep had incredible views.

Next was the Big Buddha complex, the statue and surrounding area are not complete but it has an incredible viewing area and is 495m above sea level (Chalee my taxi driver was a font of information during the rides and although not a qualified tour guide, was happy to chat and answer any questions that he could). The views were mind blowing and even with the construction going on and all the tourists, it was very peaceful. The complex sells all sorts of things to help fund the remaining construction, but the most interesting thing was brassy, coppery thin metal discs that look like a cross between a leaf and a heart and have a ribbon through them. People purchase them and write prayers and messages on them in permanent marker and tie them to the trees around the statue and the shrines, it was very moving seeing all sorts of languages, names, dates and prayers sent out into the world. Chalee had given me an amount of time at the complex to then make it to our next destination and I thought it would be far too much time being allocated, however in the end the time was perfect.

Then it was off to the heart of Phuket itself, I had read about Old Phuket Town having a great vibe. I knew the area had a combination of Chinese and Portuguese styles from the traders who had settled there, the architecture and design is known as Sino-Portuguese. Chalee told me the buildings tend to be Portuguese style while the interiors and furniture tends to be Chinese. He also told me the buildings used to all be monochrome white but some years back they started painting them funky colours to attract the tourists. It is reminiscent of both Cuba and very much the Bo-Kaap from back home, in fact that multicultural vibe is particularly like the Bo-Kaap. Chalee dropped me in Thalong Street and I had almost two hours to explore. Thalong Street is the heart of the Sino-Portuguese area of Old Phuket Town and definitely has a very Long Street-in-the-daytime vibe. It is full of shops and restaurants for tourists. Sure, I am assuming they jack up the prices for the tourists but in Rands the pricing is fair to good value and I picked up a few souvenirs here and there and drank a coconut for 35 Baht (that’s about R16 for a fresh, cold coconut hacked open while you wait!). After all that I was tuckered out and headed back to the hotel to dump my things and head out for some food. By the time I got back I started writing but ended up just going to bed halfway through in sheer exhaustion.

As for my bank, I am still completely unable to make online payments, it is still a disaster and a huge inconvenience. But thank you so much to my friend Ghaya and my Mom back in South Africa for booking my flight to Chiang Mai while I was on a whats app call with them to confirm the details! This is what we were reduced to in order to ensure I could actually get to my next destination and ultimately come home in the end. Shout out to both of you, I love you lots and can’t say how grateful I am for the two of you saving me! Right now, I am heading off to the beach because once again my timing is horrendous, let’s hope the red hat saves my skin…