Dear Phuket, you have not failed us!

Way back in June when we were deciding on our travel destination, Phuket immediately came to our mind. Nonetheless, when more research suggests that August is the monsoon season in Phuket, our hearts sank a little. But we followed our hearts and went ahead with our choice. Thankfully, the sun was bright and sunny on our beach day, and torrential rain only came on our departure day. Dear Phuket, you have not failed us indeed!:)

Going to Phuket during the off-peak season has its perks. We enjoyed relatively affordable off-peak rates for our accommodation at Sea Pearl Villas Resort, which would have been more than 2x the price that we have paid during their peak period.

Sea Pearl Villas Resort

Throw in a free upgrade to the one bedroom deluxe suite and a complimentary 2-way airport transfer in a Mercendes Benz when you stay 3 nights and more, seriously what more could we ask for?

View of the pool from the balcony

Sea Pearl Villas Resort offers hourly shuttle bus service to Jungceylon and Patong Beach (in front of Ocean Plaza). First bus starts at 10 am and last bus is at 8 pm. Jungceylon and Patong Beach are the heartbeat of Patong City, no doubt but they are still a bus ride (15-20 mins away). If you prefer a touch of resort living for your holiday, Sea Pearl Villas Resort can potentially offer that. But if you prefer amenities to be walking distance from your hotel, you may wish to reconsider your choice of accommodation.

Patong Beach

Patong Beach – Unfiltered, unedited. Pure is beauty!

Our kingdom of sandcastles

Beach shot

Suntanning Mister

Patong Beach itself is characterised by colourful sunloungers, various national flags, snacks and drinks stores etc. We lied there for approximately 4 hours and we have many vendors peddling a wide range of products like pomelo, temporary tattoos, shawls, dresses etc. It’s like a lazy form of shopping where the sellers come straight to you repeatedly so you don’t have to worry about changing your mind at all.

Bustling with activity

On the other side of Patong Beach is dotted by shopfronts, hotels and cafes/pubs/restaurants. Walk around the shops for 15 mins and you will come to the conclusion that they probably got their goods from the same supplier since the items sold are so confusingly similar.

Phuket Town – Rang Hill – Weekend Market

On our 2nd day, we decided to venture out of Patong City and head down to Phuket Town. By chance, we met a taxi uncle that somehow or rather who managed to persuade us to hop onto his taxi to Rang Hill and the Weekend Market. En route, we decided to be nice and stopped by a souvenir shop so that the taxi driver could earn another stamp lols.

Overlooking Phuket Town on top of Rang Hill

The coolest swing that I have seen thus far

The weekend market

Street food stall at the weekend market

Food

Food, as always, cannot be overlooked. I love taking shots of the food that we eat during the trip. Le Siam – the restaurant rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by Tripadvisor. The street vendor that sells chocolate banana crepe for 60 baht. The in-hotel seafood buffet because we rather not travel out for food. The Coffee Club @ Banana Walk, which serves amazing all-day breakfast and lunch menu. Bite In – the orange-themed restaurant in Jungceylon. The rushed lunch affair at the hotel’s cafe before catching the airport transfer limousine. Food – they complete our travel journey!

Le Siam – Pineapple Fried Rice

Bite In – Tom Yum Goong

The Coffee Club @ Banana Walk

The Coffee Club – All-day breakfast

The Coffee Club – Chicken and bacon with hollandaise sauce

SushiDo by Mister Donut

Hotel Cafe – One of our last few dishes in Phuket

Thank you Phuket for not failing us, for the great weather during most of our stay, and for the wonderful memories to takeaway from our short vacation. Phuket 2013, you are awesome indeed!

Phuket 2013! <3

Great companion, awesome memories!