Around Phuket: BIG BUDDHA

The Big Buddha, a 45 meter tall white statue, 

is visible from anywhere in the southern part of Phuket.

Reachable by car or motorbike from Chalong, 

it takes a nice trip thru the tropical forest to arrive to the top of the hill where you

definitely have a breathtaking view.

Mostly built on people's donation in 2004 (but not finished yet), Big Buddha is made of white marble. 

Next to it is a smaller golden Buddha actually made of brass. 

In the large meditation hall on one afternoon, a small group of Thais and foreign tourists are seen receiving blessings from two monks, a peaceful scene familiar to anyone living in Thailand, but for visitors it reveals the contemplative side of Thai culture not always evident in the brash tourist areas.

If you come to Phuket... don't miss a Big Buddha bless. :)

Around Phuket: LAEM SINGH beach discovery

Laem Singh Beach is one of Phuket's most beautiful beaches 

and hides on the west coast between Kamala and Surin beaches. 

 This 150 meters beach is situated under a steep promontory, nestled in a hidden bay 

surrounded by palm trees and inhabited by some tropical animals...

it has a feeling of a secret beach.

Discover Wonderful Phuket and Amazing Thailand!

travel by bus i Thai: SO SWEET!

Traveling by bus in Thai many things can happen...

delayed time,

"rustic" roads,

different bus from the one you have booked,

but...

what's your reaction when they give you blanket & cupcake before sleeping?

<3

Kop khun khaa!

cultural discovery: PHUKET OLD TOWN

The bustling centre of Phuket is often overlooked in favour of the beaches, but there's a lot to see and do (and spend your money on!) in Phuket Town. Recently upgraded to "city" status, Phuket Town features an exciting mix of old and new, simple and sophisticated, peaceful and pulsating.

Phuket Town is where a part of the real Thailand can be found. 

You could walk around these streets taking photos every day, 

...during day and night time.

Unlike many Thai provincial capitals, Phuket Town fairly shines with personality and nowhere more so than its Old Town. 

In this historically rich part of town you will find shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district.

There are some new buildings too, but the old early 20th century shophouse architecture predominates. 

The heart of Old Phuket Town is Thalang Road, 

in particular the block between Thepkassatri road and Yaowarat road.

 Thalang Road is the core of Phuket's Old Town 

and the commercial centre of the past. 

A lot of renovation has been done in recent years, 

and the ugly electric and telephone cables have disappeared, 

so the beautiful Sino-Portuguese shophouses 

and grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, 

in this area are great photo motifs now.