WELCOME To THAILAND ยินดีต้อนรับสู่ประเทศไทย!!!! | Day 2.............

Here is day 2 of my trip to Phuket, back in 2007. Check day 1 out if you haven't

Some interesting facts about Phuket:

• Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore
  
• The majority of the population in Thailand is Buddhist, so we aren't so different after all
  
• I have been to Phuket twice, the other time just a couple months before the tsunami struck in Dec 2004

Patong Beach after the tsunami - I would have been a dead man if I was there 

26 August 2007

In the morning, I went down to eat the free breakfast buffet. There is a wide variety of choices in food and drinks. I have to say that it was a very satisfying & pleasurable breakfast, i mean the atmosphere and the food. Besides that, the place is very clean too. 

Initially, I really didn't know where or what was this thing, but after much thought while writing this, I finally made the effort to find out what is it. This place is called Wat Chalong, the most important of 29 buddhist temples. It has something to do with year 1876 and some tin miners rebellion and by praying in this monastery, you will be blessed and protected from injury. Local Thais and tourists will set firecrackers so it is common to hear crackling sounds that are quite annoying.  

Then, I went to Kinnaree for elephant trekking . Me, my sister, and the elephant driver. The only thing I couldn't withstand is when the elephant pauses and takes a crap. It releases an odious smell which is extremely pungent even from miles away. 

My next stop was Cape Panwa, home of Phuket Aquarium. It is located some 10 minutes from Phuket town. In the aquarium we can explore hundreds of exotic, deformed, and engrossingly colourful marine species found in the teeming waters of Phuket and the rest of the world and no, I did not copy this sentence from wikipedia. Though occasionally, I tend to do that. Not always, just sometimes if I am too lazy but when concomitantly, the concept seems to coincide with my thoughts. 

The admission fee is a mere 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for children!!! It is Rm 10 roughly if exchanged into Malaysian currency. Just like most of the places in Thailand, the things are cheap and reasonable. My family and I took a van there, because we could agree on a fair price. There are no tuk-tuks in this area and taxis are a total rip off. Pictured below, are pennant coralfish swimming in shoals

I saw many exquisite species in the aquarium but it wasn't stingrays that killed Steve Irwin or sharks that amuse me. My focal interest was on the giant sea bass. It was my first encounter of such gigantic species in person. These enormous but critically endangered species grows up to 8'2" (248 cm) and weighs up to 255 kg. 

Besides the Phuket Aquarium (สถานแสดงพันธุ์สัตว์น้ำภูเก็ต), there aren't many other things to do in Panwa except for the Baba Pool Club in Sri Panwa Estate, home to luxurious private pool villa hotels. Sri Panwa is arguably the most luxurious estate of hotels in Phuket. Some rooms have ocean views that overlooks sunset & sunrise.  

R.I.P. Steve Irwin (1962-2006)

This however, is not recommended though, as the rates are extortionately expensive, costing an arm and a leg for those who have regular income. The price for a single ocean view bedroom for two persons (cheapest room) costs about 35,500 baht PER night, excluding service charges and 18.7% local taxes. In short, it costs approximately at least RM 3,550 per night. 

For a big family of 9 like mine, you could stay in the four bedroom pool villa, only USD$ 4,189.89 per night excluding service charges and applicable taxes. Ouch! Back to my story,

Later in the evening, we took our dinner at a restaurant nearby our hotel. I can't remember the name of the restaurant but the plate of white rice was really intriguing. It didn't order a Valentine's Day set dinner for sure but presumingly, I thought they always served heart-shaped rice. The other dishes were pretty delicious too.

After dinner, I headed back to Bangla road but this time with more caution and cognition on how to avoid those transvestites prostitutes as prostitution is culturally accepted there. Henceforth, this time I walked the whole 2km road with facial expression full of despise and showed no interest at all towards these whores without stopping. While I was walking, I saw nothing but older Western men flirting/fondling/groping with much younger Thai women and transvestites. (Below) Look at his hands, it reminds me of a dish called roasted German pork knuckles I ate in Germany. Salty (咸), wet (濕), and stiff (硬) I would describe it.

My menacing and risky journey was not put to waste as I stepped foot into Jungceylon shopping mall for the first time. But after 45 minutes I left because the shops inside weren't so decent. Besides, many shops weren't opened yet because it was still quite new. My family should be browsing for fake and bargained goods at Bangla road by now. Trust me, they are pretty good at bargaining. 

After quite a disappointment at the Jungceylon, I returned to my trustful hotel. 

The last thing I had in mind was swimming but indeed I end up occupying the whole swimming pool and that was pretty awesome to end the day with.

Attractions That I Missed: The Paradise Complex, the only place where I wasn't bold enough to enter. But they look so happy and fun. Nevertheless, it is also for eccentric people. This is the paradise for gays in Patong. Look, even tourists blend in very quickly. 

TO BE CONTINUED.........