Phuket Island City Tour

ABBEY: On our trip on Phuket we also signed up for the City tour which costs around 1,200 bhat per person. We had it one afternoon and the first two stops are at Karon View Point and Windmill; they are among the high peaks of Phuket. 

Then we went to Big Buddha site. The monks and caretakers of the place don't require entrance fees but donations instead. Be it monetary, or cement, gravel and sand, all donations are accepted. Climbing an almost hundred steps will lead you to the enormous marble statue of Buddha. Next stop is the Orchid Garden. It is unfortunate as no flowers were blooming during our visit. 

We also stopped by at Chalong Temple. Visitors pay respect and thanks by lighting firecrackers. As it is a holiday on the first day of the year, people packed the place and we have nothing to do but to indulge on their pork barbecue as we are already hungry.

Then we went to Honey Farm wherein I bravely carry a broodframe. I was nervous and scared by the thought that the bees will sting me. We also tasted wine made from honey. Next stop is the cashew nut factory. The process of picking the nut from the fruit is still done manually as to not damage it. You can choose from a wide variety of flavors for your cashew; wasabi, garlic, original roast snd barbecue. We also stopped by at the largest jewelry shop on Phuket. The pieces of jewelry have intricate designs thus the prices are lovely as well. 

We strolled by the Old Phuket Town and then we requested the tour guide to drop us is Jung Ceylon shopping mall for dinner and then rest and our hotel.

WILL: Okay guys, Phuket is an island that's so famous on their beaches and bars but isn’t fun to make some side trips at their lands?

We booked for half day city tour on the 1st day of 2014 and we're picked-up from Frutta Boutique after our lunch. Our first stop is the Karon View Point. Here we saw the the beautiful deep blue colored waters of their fine beaches. Next stop is at Phuket’s Windmill (Phromthep Alternative Energy Station), a great idea for another source of energy. Here at this spot, you can see sailboats parked. A windy place indeed.

Elephants! We just stop over to see them and take some personal business at washrooms. Haha! Phuket City Tour Package will not be complete if you will not drop by at Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha. This landmark have a dress code for girls, no shorts and no sleeveless is allowed. The construction started 2009 and we are so lucky to see the whole face and body of Phuket’s Big Buddha already sparkle with white marble. So serene that you can only hear are the bells and murmurs of the tourist.

Firecrackers? Well it is not just because it is new year, it is a way of giving thanks for granting the wishers’ wish! Welcome to Wat Chalong Temple. So many shoes swarming in front of the temples, obviously it will be very crowded inside, we never attempt to go so we just make our stomachs full with bbq pork.

Different flavors of cashews were in front of us when we reached Cashew Nut factory. We bought a wasabi flavored cashew and tasted all the varieties. Haha! Wangtalang Lapidary gem factory is also in the itineraries, we just look, never touch, never ask, never buy. Before heading back to our hotel our van just passed Century-old Sino-Portuguese building at Thalang road, we chose not to step out from our van, we are just tired and sleepy already.

I think that this trip is a must for every tourist, getting to know more of the island, people and its religion.

Phi Phi Island Tour by Sea Angel Cruise Co. Ltd.

ABBEY: Phi phi don island hopping is a whole day tour. For 2500, you enroll on the tour and this includes buffet lunch and light refereshments. Two-way transfer (hotel-pier-hotel) is also on the package. We got on the pier by 9am. Flippers can be rented at 100bhat a pair. We boarded a 3-motor speedboat with a capacity of 40-50 persons. Our energetic and lively tour guide, "Ms. Susan", briefed on what is in store for us. She reminded us to remember our boat number else she'll come back to us the next day if we missed to board the boat. 

We went to Maya beach where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. The sand is very fine and soft. The scenery of rock formations are breath-taking. Visitors are encouraged to walk barefoot to feel the softness of the sand. Next is the Viking Cave. It is a private property so we only got to look the entrance of the cave. Then we went to monkey beach. The high tide didn't permit us to dock on the beach but we had our time to feed the monkeys. We dipped at the sea for snorkelling before we had our buffet lunch at Phi Phi Don island. This is the island which was struck by tsunami on the year 2004. Now the inhabitants recovered and doing business as usual. 

Last stop is Khai island. For 100bhat you can rent a pair of beachbed with umbrella and fruits and refreshments were served as part of the tour. We had a good time at Khai island; on the sand, water and rocks. We headed to our hotel after a whole day trip feeling refreshed and relaxed.

WILL: I love beaches, I love to see a big bodies of water but I am also afraid of it. 2nd of January is the day to tour the other islands near Phuket Thailand. That was the day to go to the beautiful Phi Phi.

We got to the Sea Angel speedboat, traveled for an hour and viola! The "The Beach" beach is in front of us. Our tour guide asked us to step at the sand barefoot. The sand is milky white, the sun is not so hot and the marvellous formation of rocks that seems covering the shore for a possible intruder. The Creator really creates magnificently.

We took some shots from outside of a private cave. Someone buying a cave? So rich? Haha! Then we went to a cliff were the old James Bond jumped off.

"Fish be with you" is all I can say when I saw a lot of fish swim around us. I am afraid of them, huhuhu! And the naughty captain of our boat have the guts to throw a bread around me, of course more fish went beside me and all I can do is shout in horror. Vince and Abbey laughing and so delighted. I hate you guys!

A buffet was served at Koh Phi Phi Don, this were the Tsunami hit big time. Ms. Susan told us that the water swept the whole island for barely 5 minutes. We stayed there for an hour just to take our lunch.

We never stepped out from the boat when we visited the Monkey Island, some tourist just handed over peanuts for them to enjoy.

Last stop is at Khai island. We sit, we ate watermelon and pineapple non-stop, we take photo, and we swim.

This is a whole day tour, so if you plan to go for this, you must get your body to soak at sea water and be bathed at the rays of the sun.

Do not forget to put a sunblock, this is a must for this kind of trip. Water was served and snack inside our speed boat. All you need to bring is your camera and yourself! Haha! A very relaxing a nice experience.

Yoong Tong Thai Massage

ABBEY: Our Thailand vacation will not be completed without a session of massage. We booked for a full body massage with foot massage. The 2-hour session gave me more relaxation. I think I've slept the whole duration. The masseur really hit the aching spots in which I was relieved. 700 bhat was the charge for the service which includes a blue tea :)

WILL: Vacation in Phuket Island will not be complete if you do not avail any massage from their local masseurs. You can have a choice: lay on the Patong Beach sand, go half nude and let the breeze gently touched your skin or be at spa salon and get a room on your comfort and privacy. We are conservative people (really? Haha), so we chose to avail it in massage parlor just in front of Frutta Boutique.

I avail the whole body oil massage, and it is very unfair that the massuer has no skill, grrrr.. it seems that she only touching my skin, no pressure at all. Disappointed, I went down to have the foot massage, oh well, I am drooling once the masseur hit the my aching muscle.

Then that was the last stop for our Phuket Adventure. Ahmm,  please wait for our blog on island and city tour 

Saint Marc Cafe Singapore

ABBEY: After a loaded snack at Carl's Jr., Chat invited us to have some coffee. We've been to Vivo City multiple times but this is the first time we set our feet on St. Marc Cafe. They offer Japanese tea, desserts and coffee. 

I picked choco banana split. It took more than a couple of minutes for my order but when my coaster lighted up and I saw my frozen delight, it was worth the wait. With my long-handled teaspoon, I scooped the vanilla ice cream and the taste is delicious. Not too sweet...very creamy and smooth. It costs 9sgd which is reasonable with all the presentation and great taste. 

Next dine in, I'll their other creations.

WILL: After our usual dinner/snack at our "official tambayan" with Chat, she told us that she want to have a coffee and its her treat!! Yehhheyy! For us, I told her to try the new St. Marc Cafe and she agreed. Hmmm, do you have this kind of friend? None? Well, pray for one. Haha!

Make way to St. Marc Cafe's hot chocolate...creamy and so chocolatey. This is a great place to catch up with your friends. Cozy, quite place. Oh for people like Abbey who love sweets, they are offering ice creams here. 

2SGD Mini Bank Project

ABBEY: We had our coin project in the year 2012 and the total amount of savings is 500sgd. The downside is each dollar coin has a deposit fee. This resulted to an almost 25-dollar-reduction on our earnings. We learned our lesson and come year 2013, we start saving 2-dollar bills. Twice the amount on the previous year and no fees. 

The savings surpassed the dollar coins but only a small percentage. We got 650sgd and invested it for the second phase of our "40 by 40" project. This year we continue saving those violet-colored treasures and expecting to surpassed the first 2 years.

WILL: Some people have other options to save a money for different purposes. Abbey and I save for additional sum for our investments. Last year we agreed to put a $1 coin on our Malteser's bank but we were deducted few dollars when we deposited it in our Citibank account. Lessons learned so we say hello to $2 bill. 

After receiving my boss ang pao from our Dinner and Dance party, a day after we open up our mini bank. We surpassed the previous amount. Then we both decided to send it to Philippines in addition to our "40 by 40" project. ;) 

Indeed this is a great way to save and invest. Oh, maybe you can do what my niece doing. She put a note wherein she can see always the purpose why she is saving up. 

Go and save. It is fun. 

Monsoon @ Bangla Road - Phuket Thailand

ABBEY: We were at Bangla road checking bars that we can crash on and we stopped by at Monsoon. It was a bit different because the bar has live band and no pole dancers.  

Unlike the other hangouts where they offer sports channels or other "live" shows, Monsoon is for the music-lovers. You can request for a song, dance on the floor and be greeted by the performers it is your birthday. 

If you're looking for a slight wholesome place, this is it. A tip for the customers: food can be ordered until 11pm. Beyond that, drinks only up to closing.

WILL: Maybe you will choose a night flight from Singapore to Phuket and to not waste time waiting for the next day, maybe you may want to explore The Bangla Road. 

Bangla Road is very famous red light district in the world. So what would you expect here? Drunk men, girls dancing at the pole, and people offering private shows. 

We walked and walked and walked to find place to sit in. Finally! We heard a loud live band. We entered at Monsoon. We take our seats and ordered my usual...Margarita. 

The band is so lively and sang music that hit the crowd big time. After finishing my 2 drinks, around 3am of Singapore time, we headed back to our hotel to get ready for the next day adventure. 

If you want to sit back and relax just go here in Monsoon. Very recommendable. 

Patong Beach on Phuket Island, Thailand

ABBEY:  There are many beaches on Thailand. Among them is Patong beach where we chose to stay during our vacation. The white sand is beautiful but not as soft as what is there on Maya beach. For a hundred bhat you can rent a pair of beach bed with table for drinks where you can enjoy taking snaps on people doing various beach and water activities; like snorkeling, swimming, and parasailing (1500 bhat per person). 

Eateries and restaurants flocked the on the opposite road on the beach. You can have a decent meal for about 100 bhat. Bangla road is also near it as well as the large mall Jungceylon. 

Pieces of advice: 
1. For tourists, don't go on the beach after a New Year's eve party as garbage are all over the place. 
2. For the local government, try to educate the tourist and the residents and let them have an awareness to maintain the place clean.

WILL: Have you ever heard of Patong Beach? No? Why? Where have you been?

Patong beach is the most famous in Phuket. If you're gonna say you are going to Thailand got sure they will ask you if you'll check out Patong Beach. 

We went here on our first day stay. We just took photos of the bluish clear water. The waves' sizes were just fine. But when I tried to dip in, the water is so cold and it made my skin itchy. I thought I am the only one to feel it but hey, even Abbey and two of our friends too. So we decided not to soak our body for today and we will be coming back on the 1st day of 2014. 

As planned, we went there around 7am and ready for a swim until afternoon. To our shocked, we found some beer bottles, paper lantern  and even the firework boxes were floating at the shores. To my disgust, we just rented seats for THB100 each and linger with the sea breeze, watch the cruise ship to leave Phuket Island and plan for our next tour on that day. 

I hope that the government will regulate all the establishments around the area. To maintain the natural beauty of this famous island.