Big and mighty Phuket

Everything that there is of in Thailand, there is more of in Phuket. People, tourists, tuk-tuks (the "mini taxis"), shops, bargaining, go-go bars, and water sports on the beaches. The only thing that there is less of, are uncrowded beaches. Because on the beach of Patong, the plastic sun chairs rule! They´re lined up in long long rows and occuppied by Germans, Italians, Scandinavians, Americans, Canadians, and people from dozens of other countries who choose to spend a few days here.

Upon arrival, Patong had us worn out in a few hours. There are so many impressions everywhere, so much buzz, so much going on, that I reckon our minds had an overdoze. The streets are mixed with everything from elderly Western men with their arms around young Thai women to families with kids in trollies. The bars are everywhere and business is up and running from early in the morning ´til late at night. But not on December 5. No this day was the King´s birthday and in many places no alcholoic beverages were sold at all. The King, who is deeply respected and highly regarded turned a whopping 79 years and most Thai people wore a yellow shirt in his honour (apparently, yellow is the colour of Monday and apparently he was born on a Monday).

Patong had us worn out in a few hours

The Patong beach is very long - and very busy. It´s a pity the water isn´t very clear as this would have made swimming easier. However, change the beach life for some shopping and you´ll be more than happy. Me and Kenth are travelling home with around 30 new shirts in our bags and many of them have been baught in Phuket... and if bargaining isn´t your thing then Phuket offers a large shopping complex which keeps your air conditioned cool.

While Phuket was an experience, I won´t long to come back. It´s entertaining for sure, but not the Thailand that I´ve dreamt of.