Phuket Trip - Elephant ride | ATV | Motorbike cruising

This will be the last installment for my Phuket trip last July. When we decided to go to Phuket, we know we are actually looking for some adventures in that gem island. After spending the whole day out in the sea, we went for another local tour for some fun out in the wild with the same agency. Again, it is advised to go with a big group of friends because the more people you have, the more discounts you can get. 

Posing at the hotel lobby while waiting for our pick up

Our not so glamour pick up truck

The tour includes transport to and fro the location of the tour and your hotel. Since the truck picked up the tourists from different hotels, so we sort of have free tour around Patong. 

Our elephant for the day

He's old and grumpy but I think it has something to do with his trainer/guardian too. Every elephants came with a trainer or a guardian whom will instruct and guide them for the tour. Our elephant guide was a grumpy and sour face man whom kinda harsh on him. Personally I think it's cruel to use animal these way making money. The guide equipped with a hook which they use to knock the elephant when he refused to listen/walk. This is extremely cruel because he didn't knock it gently on the elephant. It was to hurt or threaten the elephant. 

There was once when our elephant sort of angry and just stomped off out of track with both of us on it. We're so scare, whom know what will happened when he really angry. Maybe he will shook us off him or worst ran off into the wild with us. Thank God nothing wild happened. The elephant cooled off when the guide called him and shouted at him to go on track. Phewwww... close call.

Despite the happy face that I had on, I was scare and secretly hope the ride would end soon. But the elephant was cooperating in the end and stopping along the way to feed on grass, he would lower himself which sort of gave us a bumpy ride. It was fun tho. I guess he's happy as long as he had something to eat. But honestly, I wouldn't do this again next time.

Camwhore on the elephant

The elephant looked so happy as if he's smiling till can't see his eyes

Feeding the elephant bananas after the ride. But I think this one is not the one that we rode. Because he went off to take another couple and their kids for a ride after dropping us off. Hope they fed him many bananas. The elephant that I fed here is a disgusting one. He practically peed a bucket load in front of us. LOL

And yeah, I know I called every elephants him because I can't imagine a female elephant, I mean they are huge, super huge indeed and suit to be called a him.

Our next activity is ATV ride which is my favorite

I don't want to ride at the back of the bf because I wanted to control one myself, so we each had our own ATVs. This is where our inner racer surface as we chased each other on the track. I kinda stuck and almost overturned at some points but nothing is stopping me, well except a crossing elephant because you should never cross one. Lol, pun intended. 

ATV, airbrush tattoo and a helmet, he's legit. lol

Back from our tour and we decided to go back to No.6 Restaurant for a quick refreshment

Ice blended watermelon was the perfect choice for such a hot and humid day

The crowd queuing up outside the restaurant. This restaurant was packed every time we were there.

We also decided to rent a motorbike for 24 hours as it was very affordable, 150 bahts for a day, gasoline on your own. Having transport made it super easy for us to explore the surrounding area. We even went back to Karon where our elephant tour was which was almost half an hour away from Patong.

I forgot the name of this beach but it was near Patong

Stopping for banana crepes at Karon

Turned out that dude is a Malaysian whom lived at Phuket. It kinda weird to hear someone speak Malay after almost a week of hearing Thais. He's very friendly, in fact everyone was friendly in Phuket. Since we're on our own cruising on the bike, we stopped anywhere that we wanted to. 

At a playground to pose with a huge dog statue

Or sat on see saw.

At first I thought a week in Phuket was too long because it is just an island but I was so wrong. A week was long enough for us to explore the island on our own sweet time. It was relaxing and just enjoying, so no rushing here and there, this is the kind of holiday I loved. Well, I'm done with Phuket and need a new place to discover for next year. I still have no solid plan for next holiday. I have a few in my mind but we shall see. 

Patong Beach | Bangla Street

One of the shots around Patong Beach

We strolled around the same area almost every nights as it is the most happening places around Patong. Streets were filled with vendors selling all kind of stuffs from food to shirts, flip flop, souvenirs and even pirated DVDs. It was fun to walk around and soaking yourself with the local cultures.

Of course there's the famous Bangla Street in Phuket. Very similar to the Walking Street in Pattaya, here's where the night entertainment take places. The streets were filled with clubs and bars with their "call girl" thrown on the street promoting their club. Like the Walking Street, Bangla Street is famous for their strip club, well more like an underground stripe club which filled with transgenders.

For the sake of experience, we did went to an underground strip club and man, the sight of fake boobies made me sleepy. Hahahaha Like seriously, their show somehow were repetitive. The same she-males went on stage dancing in only loose piece of clothing tied around their waist, moving back and forth shaking their things, the guy lady with flexible hole down there showing her skill in muscle flexibility down there by putting various things (eggs, beer bottle and etc) in there without breaking it. One word: gross. 

I think gross is the perfect word to describe my whole night at Bangla Street. The only thing that I love about Bangla Street is their McDonald. It's the only McDonald branch that sell bubble milk tea which is super awesome. I even went back the next day just to get another sip of the rich bubble milk tea.

Malaysia, Y U NO HAVE THIS?!

Most of our evenings were spent on the beach playing in the salt water or just sat there and watch sunset. Everyone was so laid back on the beach and it was such a happy place for me. Though I'm not the big fan of sandy salty water but just surrounded by people whom on vacation and super laid back made me feel calm.

I bought my top there for 150 Baht.

Spotted the Australia flag

 I did spot some other countries flags too. Wonder if the tourist brought their country flags all the way from their home and put it up there. 

Spotted this dog playing happily with the waves.

It was so funny because he would wait in the water until the waves crushing in and jump around as if to avoid the waves.

<3 p="">

Putting this picture up because I think we both looked so funny here. Obligatory pose like an old couple with the landmark. 

Phuket is an island full with hidden gems when it come to food because the most worth going or must try eating place are actually pretty much laying low and situated in a narrow shop lot. Like this one shop that we went to, it was just a lucky incident for us to spot this place. It serves the best mango sticky rice, in my and millions other opinions.

Look at the testimonies of their customers. Everyone is bragging about their mango sticky rice. 

I tried it and love it. It was so cheap too. We even came back the next day just to get the mango sticky rice

Fried rice. I wonder how something so simple can taste so good

Pork rice I think, bf said it taste good too. 

And yes, almost every places in Phuket have WiFi, really convenient one 

Yup, their omelette is a must have too

When it comes to food in Thailand, I don't think one should be worry unless if you can't take spicy food, every meals in Thailand really satisfying me. From Bangkok to Phuket, I can't recall any awful meals during my stay. It really is a food heaven.

When it was getting too hot to walk outdoor, we would stay in Jungceylon mall and their The Big C supermarket. Even window shopping in their supermarket made me happy because they have everything. Their snack and beverages selections are endless. I even bought some make up items in there. Mostly the stuffs that are not available in Malaysia.

When we're too tired to walk anymore, we went to a spa for facial because they were having some great promotion that day. Takashi Tokyo facial which only cost 299 Baht. Super cheap and it is not the dodgy kind. Their staff were dressed in professional white coat.

The bf looked kinda nervous 

Ready to get my make up off and extract those blackheads.

It's funny how I came in with face full of make up and came out make up less with redness on my face. It was quick and a little painful as blackhead extraction could be. But I got to lie down and nap while being pampered almost the same as going for Thai massage hehehe.

Phuket Day 3 - Islands Hopping

My Phuket travel tale continues. I blogged about Day 1 & 2 here. So on day 3, we decided to go for island tour. We just randomly picked a tour from tour agent stall since every tour agents work for almost the same company. The island tour included transport to and fro from our hotel, tea break, lunch and soft drinks on boat. Trick: gather all of your friends, the more the merrier because you can bargain the tour price till as low as RM100. Additional trick: feel free to flirt with your tour agent to get more discount. I tried but it didn't work. :(

Briefing 8 am in the morning, spot me! The loner obviously, surrounded by other tourists.

Getting ready to hop on my yacht boat

Thank God I took the sea sick pill during briefing because our boat ride was a tough one. The tide was quite high and the current were strong. One time the bf really need to use the toilet and we had to stop in the middle of the ocean, so he could use the world smallest toilet in the speed boat. Because our captain turned off the boat engine, the boat was floating around dancing to the current. A girl couldn't help it and throwing up on the boat. Poor girl, her face literally turned green.

Reaching Maya Bay

Totally in awe admiring the view

We stepped on the same land beach as Leonardo DiCaprio  

Next destination is Viking Cave.

I don't remember what's inside Viking Cave but initially tourists are allowed to go in but right now it was closed due to maintenance or something, I don't really remember.The effect of blogging about this 2 months later. Forgive me please.

 We also stopped by the Monkey Beach

Freaking out because the monkey was approaching me

My monkey 

Just strolling along the beach yo

Notice the little monkey sitting on the trunk, he/she was so chillax, minding her own business

Monkeys there are so relaxing and none of them actually care about us. They were just playing with each other and occasionally running here and there. Look quite harmless but I won't try to come in contact with them tho. We were warned beforehand not to feed them and come in contact with them as they might feel threaten and become aggressive.

Our next activity is my favorite one, snorkeling. I had so much fun looking at the little colorful fish. It was really beautiful. I love chasing them in the water, trying to touch them but they swam so fast. Pfffttt

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Getting my gear ready

All set and ready to jump into the water

If you look closely, you literally can see the fish in the water on the left side.

Can you spot the little blue fish?? 

Our final spot is Khai Nok Island for lunch and relaxing on the beach

The buffet selection. Everything taste good when you're hungry.

And chilled Coca Cola taste even better after you spend whole day in the salt water.

Exploring the island

While the bf joined others playing beach volleyball

Looking back at all these photos make me miss Phuket so much especially the beach. One of the dream is to have a beach house but it is near impossible :( I love being so carefree and not to think about anything, no deadlines, no errands. Just being in the moment and exploring and absorbing the new surrounding.

I need another holiday. Seriously.