In March 2012 a valuable tool for visitors to Phuket became available – Google Street View maps. This makes it possible to explore the island from anywhere else in the world. The maps are provided by Google and can be enjoyed on a PC or mobile device such as a smart phone. To refer to Google Street View as maps is a huge understatement. It really is like being in Phuket and walking around.
Some people view a holiday in Phuket as a chance to relax and do as little as possible. Other holidaymakers prefer to relax by being active. Bike tours in Phuket are more likely to appeal to this later group of individuals. There are plenty of opportunities for cyclists who are visiting the island to hit the roads. In fact there are an increasing number of people who visit the island on bicycling tours.
Bicycling around Phuket is highly recommended because:
There are many options for people who wish to rend bicycles in Phuket. Most guest houses offer this facility, and there are also shops where people can rent a bike. Those who do decide to rent need to be careful and consider the following:
There are now many options for bike tours in Phuket including:
It is not necessary to join a tour in order to enjoy bicycling in Phuket. The whole island is waiting to be explored and almost everywhere can be reached by bike. The roads on the island are generally good enough for cycling but people will need to take care. A good idea is to get out a map of the island and just plan a ride for the day. It is best to get advice from a local who will be able to suggest the most appropriate routes. The best time for cycling is early in the morning and in the late afternoon.
The roads on Phuket can be dangerous. There is a great deal of traffic and there are too many inexperienced foreigners riding motorbikes – to make matters worse many of these individuals will feel invincible and so take more risks. In order to stay safe while bicycling in Phuket it is recommended that people:
Phuket is a hugely popular tourist destination. Many of the resources on the island are devoted to keeping visitors entertained – it can feel like the whole island is geared around tourism. There is never an excuse to be bored on in Phuket but sometimes visitors will get the urge to do something a bit different. They want to get off the beaten track and experience things that are not part of the usual tourist itinerary. The good news is that despite its popularity there are still plenty of hidden gyms on the island.
Those people who want to get away from the popular beaches in Phuket may be interested in visiting Ao Sane Beach. This is situated to the north of Nai Harn Beach near the Le Meridian Phuket Yacht Club. The beaches are small but rarely crowded. This is a great option for those who wish to do a bit of snorkeling. It is not such a good option for swimmers because there are too many rocks.
This is another quite beach that can be found north of Kamala and just before Surin Beach. Those who intend to visit here should bring along a camera because it is a highly picturesque area. There are a few amenities here including a couple of restaurants, beach chairs, showers and jet-ski rental. Those who need to use the local parking area will need to pay a small fee.
The best time to go to Panwa Cape is in the late afternoon. It is claimed that this is the ideal location on the island for those who want to enjoy the sunset. There is a Muslim village nearby and the beach here is one of the best kept secrets in Phuket. Prawa Cape is situated just 8 kilometers south of Patong. Phuket Underwater World is situated nearby.
Just trying to find Paradise Beach can be an adventure in itself. This secluded location can be found in the headland south of Patong. Those who are intending to travel here by their own transport should be prepared for unpaved roads. They are also likely to need to ask for directions because there are a number of turns that are not clearly marked. The easiest way to get to Paradise Beach is to walk from Patong Beach by following the path that goes through the rocky outcrop.
If people are looking for something different to do they might like to try out Phuket Cable Ski in Kathu. This is one of the few places in Thailand where visitors can enjoy this increasingly popular water sport. The skiing takes place on an artificial lake and it involves being pulled around by cables. Those who have never tried cable skiing before will be given full instructions. It is possible to rent all the equipment needed at the club. They charge 500 THB for thirty minutes cable skiing or 2,190 THB for the full day. There is also a restaurant on the premises so people can relax after their exertions.
Sarisn Bridge is 600 meters long, and it connects Phuket Island with the mainland. This has become a popular destination for locals who like to fish, but it can also be a good choice for people who fancy an interesting walk in the evening or early morning.
If people are prepared to travel to places near Phuket Island they will find a great deal more that could be classified as off the beaten track including:
is the most popular for visitors.One of the great joys for many visitors to Phuket is relaxing on the beach, or in a hammock, with a good book. This is the type of laid back existence that so many stressed individuals will dream about for most of the year. Most people tend to read far more during a holiday than they would normally do at home. This often means that the couple of books they picked up at the airport will be finished within the first few days of the holiday. They will then be faced by the book lover’s nightmare of not having anything to read. Luckily there are plenty of options in Phuket when it comes to bookstores and libraries.
The main public library on the island of Phuket is to be found in Phuket Town on Phuket Road near Talat Yai (telephone 07 621 2465). There is a reasonable collection of books in English but this is probably not a good choice for anyone looking for the latest bestsellers.
As well as the public library in Phuket Town there are also hundreds of unofficial lending libraries in many hotels and guest houses. These usually involve collections of books that have been left behind by previous visitors. Those who are guests of these accommodations are usually allowed to borrow whatever books they want during their stay. These collections can be quite impressive with great variety and the latest publications.
There is a good selection of bookstores in Phuket selling both new and second hand books. Most of these stores can be found in either Phuket town or in Patong. The best options for new books include:
If you are looking for used books in Phuket then you also have a few options including:
Those people who intend to stay in Phuket for longer than a few weeks can also choose online ordering of books. The big names like Amazon do deliver to Phuket but only for some items. Those people who do want to order books online may be better advised to order from one of the local supplies. Asia Books offers a decent online ordering service. They can usually deliver to anywhere in Thailand within 3- 5 days. There can occasionally be problems with postal deliveries in Thailand but generally speaking it is fairly reliable. Kinokuniya also delivers books in Thailand.
Those people who own an eBook reader need have no worries about finding reading material during their trip. So long as they remember to keep the device charged there will be no problems. The great thing about an eBook reader is it means that people can bring a whole library of material with them. It is also straightforward and easy to download new books even when abroad on holiday – the individual just needs an internet connection and their account. Those who are interested in Thai-related subjects can also try out the eBook options at Asia Books.
There are many regular visitors who would argue that Phuket is a great place to visit at any time of the year. There is a great deal of truth in this claim but there can be good reasons to recommend certain times of the year depending on what people are hoping to experience during their trip. For instance, if people want the best deals they would be better off coming to the island during the low seasons.
There are two tourist seasons in Phuket:
There are some good reasons for why people may find that the high season is the best time of year to visit Phuket including:
There are some good reasons to visit Phuket during the low seasons including:
Visiting Thailand for one of the festivals will appeal to many visitors. The most popular festivals in Phuket include:
There are a few other things worth considering when choosing the best time to visit Phuket including:
Phuket has become one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Many visitors are attracted to the beaches and the vibrant nightlife and they are rarely disappointed. The budget conscious traveler will usually find accommodation and amenities that are reasonably priced – even during the high season. There are plenty of low cost activities available so that visitors have no reason to ever get bored during their stay.
Phuket also attracts tourist and long-term visitors who expect a more luxurious lifestyle. These people wish to enjoy the favorable climate and beautiful location in style and comfort. They expect top-class accommodation, dining, and shopping as well as the opportunity to be pampered. Phuket has plenty to offer this type of visitor, and that is why so many high end travelers repeatedly return to the island. A highlight of the year for many of these visitors is the Phuket International Boat Show.
The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) 2012 is due to take place between March 29th and April 1st. The first ever PIMEX took place back in 2003 and this event is growing in popularity each year. The 2011 show hosted over 6,000 visitors including many of Thailand’s richest and famous. There were 47 yachts and boats on display worth a combined value of $100 Million. The organizers are expecting the 2012 event to be the biggest one yet.
PIMEX is aims to attract anyone who is interested in owning or chartering a luxury boat or yacht. Last year at the end of the event there were deals secured for the value of $20 million. Those who attend PIMEX tend to be existing yacht owners, yachting professionals, and those who are thinking about becoming first time buyers.
PIMEX 2012 will be taking place at the Royal Phuket Marina on the east coast of the island. This marina is considered to be the most beautiful of its kind in Asia. Just the opportunity to visit this location is good enough reason to attend PIMEX. The marina is stunningly beautiful and visitors may be tempted to check out the accommodation available there. It also provides a vast array of luxury amenities including restaurants, cocktail bars, and shopping. The emphasis at Royal Phuket Marina is to provide visitors with an exceptionally high class experience during their stay.
The organizers are still preparing for PIMEX 2012 but visitors can expect:
Many of the boats will be on display in a 2,000 square meter air-conditioned exhibition hall, but there will also be vessels to be viewed on the water as well. Visitors will also get to enjoy special activities in the Royal Phuket Marina restaurants and bars. There will also be plenty of luxury cars on display – last year saw vehicles from Jaguar, Land Rover, and Lexus. Anyone who enjoys mingling with the rich will not be disappointed by this event.
One of the nice things about a holiday in Phuket is that there are so many options and opportunities available, the most obvious being watersports. Some people prefer to spend their time lying on the beach and visiting the bars but there is much more that people can do with their holiday on the island – this is not to say that just relaxing is a bad thing. This 100% relaxed holiday is not enough for everyone and some will want to use their time a bit differently. One option for these individuals is to learn or practice meditation.
It is now almost universally accepted that practicing meditation can benefit people greatly. The positive results that people can expect from regularly engaging in this practice include:
Thailand is one of the best places in the world to learn and practice meditation because:
Meditation is actually an umbrella term for a number of different contemplative practices. Each of these techniques will be beneficial but they will work slightly different ways. It is a good idea for people to decide on the kind of meditation they are interested in before they proceed. Some of the most popular types of meditation include:
There are also many other types of meditation that are variations on the above.
Meditation is a tool used in Buddhism for those who are seeking enlightenment. While many of the meditation teachers in Thailand are Buddhist there is no requirement to adopt this worldview. Those people who are really put off by the religious aspects of Buddhism may prefer to choose a meditation school that offers a purely secular approach – these are easy to find.
There are a number of locations available for people who wish to learn meditation in Phuket including:
Choosing to learn meditation during a trip to Phuket will not be wasted time. There are a few things worth considering if people want to get the most out of the experience such as:
Lovers of Blues and Rock are advised to make their way to Phuket in February. This is when the Seventh annual Phuket International Blues Rock Festival will be taking place. The 2012 event is expected to be the best yet with a full lineup of international musicians. The headline act this year will be Chris Thomas King. The event will be taking place at Laguna Grove Resort and will be also broadcast on Phuket FM Radio (FM 91.5 FM). This is a charity event and the proceeds will be donated to Patong Beach Rotary Club.
The Seventh Annual Phuket International Blues Rock Festival kicks off on February 23 at 15:00. There will be a few warm up acoustic sessions in the lobby of Laguna Grove. There will also be a rock and blues session that night at Rock City in Patong – this begins at 22:00. There is a full lineup on February 24 and 25 with Chris Thomas King closing the show. Those hardcore music fans who still have not had enough will be able to attend a festival wrap-up party at Bliss Beach Club on February 26.
At this year’s Phuket International Blues Rock Festival there are going to be some huge names including:
As well as those mentioned above there will also plenty more international acts to look forward to. A full schedule for the event can be found on the Thailand Land of Smiles blog.
It is possible to buy tickets for the event beforehand or on the gate. Those who want to be sure of securing admission are advised to book in advance. V.I.P. admission for the two main days of the festival (24 and 25) cost 3,500 THB at the door or 3,000 THB in advance. A standard ticket costs 1,500 THB at the door or 1,200 THB in advance (this ticket also covers the two days).
The 13th Old Phuket Town Festival will be taking place this year between the 28th and 30th of January. This is one of the highlights of the year on the island and there is plenty of entertainment provided during this three day event. As well as being a way of honoring this most unique Thai town it is also a chance to celebrate Chinese culture. This is now the very beginning of the year of the dragon, and the Old Phuket Town Festival will be a suitable way to mark the start of the Chinese New Year.
Anyone who has taken the time to walk around old Phuket town will notice that it is not like other parts of Thailand. There is a definite European feel to the place. A lot of this Sino-Portuguese architecture originated to the beginning of the twentieth century when European mining companies were invited to establish themselves in the area. There is also likely to have been foreign influence before this time as Europeans have been regularly visiting this area since the sixteenth century. It is the abundance of this type of architecture that gives old Phuket town such a unique feel.
There is also something special about the atmosphere in this part of Phuket – a sense there is a direct link with the past. This can be particularly noticeable during the time of the festival when there are so many reminders of how life was lived in this town in days gone by. Anyone attending these festivities is almost certainly going to find that they have an increased appreciation for this part of the island.
The 13th Old Phuket Town festival promises to be a memorable event and a great opportunity for people to socialize and be entertained. The centre of the activity will be Dragon Park and Thalang Road. There will also be some stalls on Phang Nga Road. The immediate area will be closed off to traffic so that visitors can more easily enjoy what is on offer. It may be difficult to find parking near the event so it may be better to arrive by taxi or public transport.
The festivities will open with a parade taken place from Khanit Hongyok Road to Thalang Road on the 28th of January. The festival is in full swing between 3pm and midnight on each of the three days. On the final day there will be a candlelight procession followed by a ceremony to pay respect to Chinese gods. This procession will commence at approximately 10:30 pm on the 30th.
Visitors to the Old Phuket Town Festival can expect:
There is also usually a lot going on in the local bars for those people who really want to make a night of it.
Kite surfing has become a popular water sport with visitors to Phuket. This is a challenging hobby that requires a bit of skill to master, but there are few other surface water activities that provides such an adrenalin rush. Kite surfing is sometimes considered to be an extreme sport because it combines gymnastics, windsurfing, and paragliding into one package.
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