{"id":292,"date":"2013-08-07T17:10:54","date_gmt":"2013-08-07T17:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/?p=292"},"modified":"2013-08-19T11:13:34","modified_gmt":"2013-08-19T11:13:34","slug":"dear-phuket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/2013\/08\/07\/dear-phuket\/","title":{"rendered":"Dear Phuket, you have not failed us!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>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 <em>a little<\/em>. 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!:)<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_293\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-293\" class=\"size-large wp-image-293\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0528-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-293\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sea Pearl Villas Resort<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_294\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-294\" class=\"size-large wp-image-294\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0527-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-294\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View of the pool from the balcony<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Patong Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_297\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-297\" class=\"size-large wp-image-297\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0697-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-297\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Patong Beach &#8211; Unfiltered, unedited. Pure is beauty!<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_299\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-299\" class=\"size-large wp-image-299\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0667-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-299\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Our kingdom of sandcastles<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_300\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-300\" class=\"size-large wp-image-300\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0616-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-300\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beach shot<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_302\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-302\" class=\"size-large wp-image-302\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0636-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-302\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Suntanning Mister<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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&#8217;s like a lazy form of shopping where the sellers come straight to you <em>repeatedly<\/em> so you don&#8217;t have to worry about changing your mind at all.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_303\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-303\" class=\"size-large wp-image-303\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0702-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-303\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bustling with activity<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong> Phuket Town &#8211; Rang Hill &#8211; Weekend Market <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_308\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-308\" class=\"size-large wp-image-308\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0569-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-308\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Overlooking Phuket Town on top of Rang Hill<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_309\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-309\" class=\"size-large wp-image-309\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0587-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-309\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The coolest swing that I have seen thus far<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_310\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-310\" class=\"size-large wp-image-310\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0593-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-310\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The weekend market<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_311\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-311\" class=\"size-large wp-image-311\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0592-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-311\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Street food stall at the weekend market<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong> Food <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Food, as always, cannot be overlooked. I love taking shots of the food that we eat during the trip. Le Siam &#8211; 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 &#8211; the orange-themed restaurant in Jungceylon. The rushed lunch affair at the hotel&#8217;s cafe before catching the airport transfer limousine. Food &#8211; they complete our travel journey!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_314\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-314\" class=\"size-large wp-image-314\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0538-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-314\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Le Siam &#8211; Pineapple Fried Rice<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_316\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-316\" class=\"size-large wp-image-316\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0711-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-316\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bite In &#8211; Tom Yum Goong<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_304\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-304\" class=\"size-large wp-image-304\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0691-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-304\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Coffee Club @ Banana Walk<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_305\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-305\" class=\"size-large wp-image-305\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0693-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-305\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Coffee Club &#8211; All-day breakfast<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_317\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-317\" class=\"size-large wp-image-317\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0692-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-317\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Coffee Club &#8211; Chicken and bacon with hollandaise sauce<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_318\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-318\" class=\"size-large wp-image-318\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0566-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-318\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SushiDo by Mister Donut<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_307\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-307\" class=\"size-large wp-image-307\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0723-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-307\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hotel Cafe &#8211; One of our last few dishes in Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_298\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-298\" class=\"size-large wp-image-298\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0677-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-298\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Phuket 2013! &lt;3<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_301\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-301\" class=\"size-large wp-image-301\" src=\"http:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/files\/2013\/08\/DSC_0550-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-301\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Great companion, awesome memories!<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/2013\/08\/07\/dear-phuket\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,10,7],"tags":[17],"class_list":["post-292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food","category-mister-missus","category-travel","tag-phuket"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=292"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":349,"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/292\/revisions\/349"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cycliclapse.com\/speak\/missbakerholic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}