Phuket or Bukit?

i just know where they get the name of Phuket. it's from our Malay Language - 'Bukit' (means hills) cause Phuket is a hills area. i can see those hills from the airplane and i took some photo before the steward warn me to off my mobile. ops! sorry, men. i'm too excited! cause last time i took the aisle seat, this time due to the last minute arrangement and the flight was fulled, i have to sit at 23A - a window back seat.

taking the 7:25am Air Asia flight, we arrived Phuket at 7:50am local time (minus 1 hour from M'sia time) for one-hour and 15mins air journey. since last time (my 2011 Phuket story); i didnt get opportunity to explore Phuket due to time shortage, i insist to visit every places in the itinerary even though everyone is tired (we need to wake up at 3am that morning, right?).

pass by the Premium Outlet Phuket, we arrived at the T-Shirt Factory. there's no factory but they are selling those shirts on the wholesales price. plenty designs on the cheaper prices, here i bought 'Hard Rock' Phuket shirts for my family that cost THB199 (RM19.90) each with a promotion of "Buy 10, Free 1". Then, we drop by at Pornthip Phuket -  a titbit shop. i didnt managed to buy my colleague a dried spicy anchovies (sambal bilis) last time in Chiang Mai, i found it here in Phuket. 4 for THB270. i already bought a dried longan in Chiang Mai, so i didnt buy another dried longan in Phuket - i like it, but it is too sweet.

Lunch at BanSangDuan Halal Restaurant, owned by Mr Alee, our agents (located in Phuket Town, not in Patong). thumps up for the delicious Sambal Belacan. then we went to the Cashew Nut Factory to see and to taste the different flavour such as Original, Salted, Honey, BBQ, Wasabi, Butter etc at Sribhurapa Orchid. after that, we visited the biggest Gems Gallery (in Thailand, the Gems Galley also opens in Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai; and Phuket one is the biggest + they have rail inside). however, it's peak season and we cant even see those jewelry cause has been blocked by the other foreigner =). then, we visited the Wat Chalong (Wat means Temple) to take a group photo. since i'm taking a group of Indians, we spent an hour here as they said "we have so many questions to our God".

Proceed to the famous beach in Phuket - Patong (45mins away from Phuket Town) via Kata and Karon Beach. we didnt have time to visit the Rawai Beach and Phomthep Cave.. check-in time @ Destination Patong (4*) ex-Courtyard, next to Hard Rock Cafe (the hotel is connecting with the Hard Rock Shop) and 5mins walking distance to the Patong Beach. Rest for couple hours before we off to Phuket Fantasea Show via Kamala Beach - the biggest Muslim Community in Phuket. Enjoyed taking photo at the beautiful attractions then watched the 1st show at 7:30pm, finished at 9pm (2nd show at 9pm). we add the buffet dinner at Golden Kinnaree (opposite of the show place) - dont worry, Halal Buffet is provided.

 

 

at night, i walked by myself cause i know it is safe place for a single women like me; but not safe for the single guy ^^. exploring the nearby area including Hard Rock Cafe, then went to the other side till i reached the Bangla Road (they said the name of Bangla is not from Bangladesh as i expected. it's from "aBang la" - another Malay word that point to a guy) . obviously the place is not suit to the girl with 'Hijab' like me, then i turned around and look for a 'tuk tuk'. from Bangla Road to our hotel is just 20mins walk, but due to the one-way road the tuk tuk driver are charging me 200Baht. after bargaining, they agreed with 100Baht and then unfortunately i've been cheated by them as they only sent me to other hotel. Destination and Aloha Villa - doesnt sound similar at all. damn! he asked me to pay extra but i refused. i get-off and start walking back hotel for 15mins. hmmm it's a same distance, but regardless it's ok, at least i experienced taking the tuk tuk and got cheated. what a wonderful memory~

 

it's Island Hoping day! and it's 30mins journey from west to the east coast; from Patong to the Boat Lagoon. we are supposed to take the speed boast as in original plan, but we heard bout the big wave caused by the monsoon; then we had to change to a Big Boat (3 floor cruise) - which mean we need to share with other 100 passenger. it's ok, Safety First!. "SeaSick"... cause we were in the boat for 2 hours before arriving Phi Phi Don Island. sorry, i cant concentrate on the explaination of the islands by the boat crew. haaa? Maya Bay? Monkey Beach? Pilay Bay? Bamboo Island? all i know is, we stop at one area for one-hour snorkeling session. i took the advantage (cause if i stay longer on the boat, i'll be dead), took the goggle, took the life jacket.. then, i'm already floating on the sea. i admit, i cant swim.. but i really enjoyed snorkeling cause this is my 3rd time after Tioman and Krabi.

 =

 

 

back to the Phi Phi Don Island for the buffet lunch. the souvenir here is cheaper than in Patong. i bought some key-chain and i walk around to take some picture for my colleague who is going to stay here, in this island by end of this year. Arrived at the mainland pier at 5pm. After the island hoping, some of them are having a body massage, while me... i went to Central Festival for a window shopping!. then, we took our served dinner at Kan Eang 2 Seafood Restaurant with a nice atmosphere and hot & spicy meals (sgt2 pedas).

 

on the last day, he have a plenty of time to spare as our flight is at 940pm. i've given task from my boss to inspect few hotels for the coming group on October. i went to Andaman Embrance, Royal Paradise and Mercure Phuket Deevana to see their ballroom. my point of view, i prefer Mercure the most cause it has a huge ballroom with nice stage and table setting. the rooms? i've stayed at Mercure Krabi Deevana before and i'm very satisfied with the room, restaurant and the services. i also make a visit to Arman Residence, the one and only Halal Hotel in Phuket owned by Mr Alee.

 

 

 

 

above pineapple rice is for my lunch, cooked by Mr Alee. and for the dinner, the banana pancake good enough for me cause i dont prefer to buy food in their small and old airport, somehow im a bit particular on the Halal issue.

arrived LCCT by midnight. my wish, next time i want to watch the Siam Niramit and Muay Thai, the famous Thai Boxing. Till then, bye bye. Sawasdee kaa...