We landed in Phuket a couple of days ago to complete culture shock. Coming from the craziness of Bangkok onto this gorgeous and tranquil island was like slamming on the brakes and being flung over the handlebars into total relaxation. Although it wasn’t planned, Phuket has turned out to be the perfect ending for what was a trip of a lifetime. I’m becoming a true fan of forced relaxation.
We arrived at the hotel and decided to have a quiet night around the resort to kick things off. We dropped off our bags and headed to the pool for the remainder of the day. There is nothing like napping poolside nursing a cold Singha! As the sun made its way through the sky and into the horizon, we made our way to the outside bar for happy hour margaritas. After one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen which was only intensified by the margaritas, we decided to make our way to the room and dine at the hotel grounds.
While walking to our room we noticed a series of small huts along the beach. Inside were voices yelling to us…”Massage for you? Massage for you?” How could I resist. Michael headed to the room and I decided to indulge for the next hour in what has become a daily ritual here on Phuket. The beach massage! For $13 USD, we end each day in the sun being rubbed and stretched by the cutest Thai women ever!! All of the women rubbing their clients remind me of a typing pool, but instead of working a typewriter, these women have their customers lined up side by side and offering up their amazing talent of traditional and Thai massage. While working us over, they chat, laugh and I’m sure, talk about the clients that are right in front of them…all in a very endearing manner. Last night my massage therapist had us rolling in laughter. As she was ending her treatment on me, she started to work my ears. For those of you who don’t know, my ears are OFF LIMITS!!! I’m so ticklish around my ears and cannot stand people touching them. She goes in and I try to hold back my shivering, but she starts noticing the goose-bumps on my arms and legs and starts laughing! Michael is getting massaged right next to me and I hear him starting to laugh as well, and his therapist too. She then takes it further and makes a game out of it…she touches me and the goose bumps appear as if I’m attached to an on/off switch. Maybe you had to be there…but was pretty damn hilarious.
Thai food had been the obvious standard throughout our Thailand portion of the trip, and our taste buds were hankering for a little change. We decided upon Italiano Cucina. Lasagna, pizza and red wine made for the ultimate and perfect ending to our first night in Phuket. The next two nights we’ve managed to jump back on the Thai food express and have experienced some unforgettable meals and settings.
Grilled Tiger Shrimp and mussels on the beach
First we visited a restaurant called Lotus where we sat at a table on the beach and had a phenomenal meal. Tom Ka Gai soup, spring rolls, Grilled tiger shrimp and Panange Beed Curry topped off our menu. There were large tanks of live seafood as we walked in and they literally pulled your meal from the tank and cooked it for you. We’re talking FRESH. The next night we had an equally wonderful meal at a place called Octopus. We started on the beach with soup and spring rolls again and then noticed a small trickle of rain. Before we knew it we were quickly being ushered inside by our waiter just before a huge downpour occurred. We sat, enjoyed our Curry Chicken, grilled lobster with lemon and butter and steamed mussels before heading back to the hotel.
I choose you!
There is a wedding onsite here at the hotel for a few days. A huge party of people came from Mumbai to celebrate the wedding. We were fortunate enough to witness a traditional Hindu wedding with all of the bells and whistles. The wedding party was beautiful in their traditional Hindu dress and the ceremony was quite the sight to see. The bride was flawless!
The bride and her mother
Yesterday I woke up very early and made my way to the local fresh “morning market”. . I took a cab and the market was about 20 minutes outside of the area of our hotel. It soon became VERY clear I was the only person who spoke any English at all. It made for a fun and exciting trip to the market. Fresh vegetables, raw fish and meats and “cook to order” food stands lined the isles. As I walked through, I snapped pictures and sampled foods that I had never seen before.
One guess...Oink
I was on the hunt for breakfast and before I knew it, I was purchasing something called Kanung Krup. What I thought were a combination of poached and fried eggs ended up being a pancake type dish made of coconut milk, flour, sugar and a few other choice ingredients that you sprinkle with sugar. I teamed my Krup with a side of fried bananas and freshly brewed sweet coffee…I was set. I found a table to relax at for a while and people watched with my new favorite breakfast item inside my new favorite outdoor morning market. Nirvana.
The local fish monger...CUTE!
The morning market
Michael and I are off to Phuket Town and Patong today. We rented a car and are spending the day on the road, touring the island and the two major towns here on Phuket. Stay tuned for more!
