After a second attempt, our pilot got us safely to ground in Phuket around 2:30 pm yesterday. It was interesting, as we came in a little steep, a little too quickly, passed the runway, lifted back up and came back around to try again.
That was the comical part of the flight. The rest of it however was sorely ruined by a boy too big to be a tyke and his absent-minded mother sitting behind us. (Now, I don’t know why but I always get targeted by these little shits).
The boy was dropping the tray attached to my seat continuously; clicking it in and then undoing the latch, letting it free fall. Ok, annoying. Then, he started swinging his legs, kicking my seat. He was driving his little demon toes into the lower back of my chair, when I first shot back my hate vision at his mother. His mother, too absorbed in her iphone was reluctant to discipline him in any respectable manor.
So, I planted my hands behind my back and waited for the opportunity to crush his little feet. I started to lay my seat back, the would sporadically place it upright; it was taming my brewing anger.
But, in the end I wasn’t strong enough. It took a few more sharp glares over my shoulder, for the woman to yield an apology, then Jack and I changed seats. Fuck.
*Note: If you have them love them but for respect for the rest of us, TAME YOUR FUCKING CHILDREN!
We got bombarded by taxi drivers as soon as we came through the arrivals gate at Phuket International. We grabbed a ride out to Patong Beach where we knew of a few hotels in the area that were vacant just the night before. We struggled to explain to the driver that we didn’t have reservations. We just wanted to get dropped off on the main strip, by the beach and the market. He said OK, and we believed him.
I got a little skeptical however, when we pulled into a business residence off the side of the road. A woman came out of an office, approached the cab and asked where we were going. There and only then was it explained that he did not know where he was going. After continuously turning down making a reservation through them, we asked them about a guesthouse we’d looked up the night before. A girl working there knew the one, they looked up the address and we were off again.
Driving in Malaysia and Thailand is dangerous if you follow you try for safety. It’s better to have keen instincts and an agile reaction time, because being cautious is where you find accidents. For one, scooters go speeding through four-way stops and red lights, as though they were just suggestions at something stupid like 80-90 km.
On our way to Patong Beach, we saw no difference between the rules of the road in Thailand from Malaysia. Full families – dog included, will overtake people on their scooters in oncoming traffic. The streets in Phuket are narrow and they’re driving at top speed. No helmets, no extra seats – laughing. Oy.
Finally, we reached Troy Guesthouse around 3:30 pm, checked in for the standard rate of 420 B ($15) a night and took pleasure in the rewards of a king-sized bed, in a clean room.
We were around the corner from several cool backstreets, all packed with 7-11’s, Family Marts, massage boutiques, 24 hour pharmacies, cafés, fresh fruit stands, local restaurants, and not to mention the countless clothing vendors. The best part was that it was just 15 minutes from the beach.
We showered and were off to roam within minutes, having missed out on our first meal of the day (again), eating was a priority. There was a lovely restaurant we found just 10 minutes away offering everything from Thai food, Seafood, Indian and ‘Western’. As the meals came out, we sipped on our $2 beer (at home = $9), and took it all in.
*Cue the elderly Indian man sitting alone in the corner of the bar.
While we were eating, a fortune teller approached Jack. Immediately he told us personal things that Jack would come to face in life, the age he’d live to, the crossroads he’d come to with certain friendships he held dear and my favourite, how lucky he was going to be. He had his trade well thought out, however much you choose to believe.
We declined offering him more money, even though in return we’d receive the full reading of our futures and we was on his way. That’s when we noticed 3 more men pull up on their scooters, advancing on the sitting ducks eating their lunch, with promises of telling their fortune.
We then took a stroll down the street to the beach. (Ahhhh the beach! Yes, yes, yes!) It’s the one time you’ll hear me being thankful for tourists and their obnoxious ways, because unlike our stay in Malaysia, bikini’s were everywhere!
The stroll back to the hotel was interesting. We were too stubborn to ask for help or pull out our map, so it took us a while before finding familiar scenery. We did make it, after walking through and around town for over an hour, we found our way. Once we got back, we agreed it was obvious we should treat ourselves to a traditional Thai massage.
Upon getting inside, changing clothes and opening the door to leave, it started. That monsoon season finally introduced itself. The streets instantly flooded and the people outside got side swept with the snaking sweeps of rain. We weren’t discouraged (Canadian’s know better), we brought rain jackets! We suited up, got out and saw just a few feet from us was a place called Happy Life Massage & Spa. A one hour Thai massage cost 200B ($7) – Gee, OK!
By the time our hour was up, we’d been bent, stretched and pulled from our toes to our heads. It was totally enjoyable (a little strenuous), but completely necessary. The rain had stopped and people were back out in the streets selling their goods.
We got a bite to eat at I-Kroon cafe, just a few doors down from Troy GH and Happy Life. I-Kroon offers everything from authentic Thai dishes, to a full coffee bar, cakes and pies, western breakfasts, rice and stir fry’s, cocktails and fresh fruit smoothies… amazing. It’s run by an awesome couple, with smiles to spare, and their toy poodle. We promised to return for breakfast the next morning.
After having another beach day, soaking up the sun we went out and ate at another great place we found just behind Troy GH. I think it was called Nong-In and in there, I had the best sweet and sour soup I’ve ever tasted. The woman cooking up our meal vouched for her tom-yum soup as being the #1 best. I’d definitely go back there. Avoid the beef vegetable stir fry though, as Jack said the beef was really overdone..
So, we’re sitting here now with an iced coffee from I-Kroon, longkong fruit we picked up from a street vendor and talking about our plans for tomorrow. We want to get to Koh Phi Phi from this point, so we might do one night in the city, look out for a boxing match and take the ferry over the next day.
FNtalk 