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TRAVEL -PHUKET
Forget shopping, full-moon parties and jam-packed
beaches, there is so much more to explore in and
around Phuket -pronounced as
Poo-get -if you know where to look...
There are very few places in the world that feel like home,
and Thailand is one of them. Whether you are a tired soul
wanting to rejuvenate on a solo trip, a bunch of friends
hunting for a fun holiday spot or a couple looking for
`romance on a budget' Phuket is that one destination
where you end up on an impulsive trip. There was a time,
people used to think Thailand is ordinary simply because
it's close to home; not anymore.The footfalls in the country's
remotest beaches and cities have been on a steady rise.
So, chuck the packaged trips and fiveday itineraries and
go out to discover Phuket on your own.
MAKE
KAMALA BEACH YOUR HOME
That Phuket is overcrowded at all times is a travel myth.
You can always find your own corner, away from the chaos
of sun worshippers. Only a 15-minute drive away yet far
removed from the liveliness of Patong -Phuket's most
famous town -Kamala is a haven of tranquillity. While the
northern end of the beach makes for a hot spot for
adventure sports like surfing, snorkelling and kayaking,
the southern end -towards Rim Haad (Beach Road) -is
where you'd want to grab a mug of chilled beer, settle
on a lounge chair, and watch the sun go down. Kamala
Village houses a couple of resorts that are shaded by
an enchanted canopy of rainforest and overlook the jade
blue Andaman Sea.
GUIDED
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
The charming little old town of Phuket fairly shines with
character and it's best to explore it on foot. If you don't
want to do this all by yourself, register for a guided
photography tour (approx THB 1,980 per person).
Start with Thalang Road a quaint boulevard studded
with colourful, SinoPortuguese mansions that house an
interesting mix of restaurants, cafes, guesthouses and
souvenir and trinket stores; they sell everything from
batik, tie-dye apparel to fridge magnets, keychains and
home decor items. What you will come across while
walking along other streets is Jui Tui shrine, a very old
Chinese temple on Ranong Road; a beautiful abandoned
mansion called Limpanon House and an ancient pharmacy
on Yaowarat Road; you'll also see the interesting
Thai Hua Museum and original Sino-Portuguese style
Luang Amnart Nararak Mansion on Krabi Road.
Got some free time? Buy yourself a cup of mocha and
confectionery and spend some time chatting up locals at
the old-fashioned Pirrera Cafe on Dibuk Road.
Locals are always the best travel guidebooks!
RUSTLE
UP A THAI MEAL AT A BEACH
To appreciate the subtle flavours and aromas of Thai food,
it isn't enough to eat like a local. Learn to cook like one too!
Register for a short-term Thai cooking class in Phuket and
return with the most precious souvenir the ability to
reproduce delectable dishes in your own kitchen.
And how about a stunning, breezy Thai beach being your
classroom and the crashing waves working as the
background music for the cooking session? Located at
Sirey Beach, Phuket Thai Cookery School makes for a
good choice. The class usually begins with a fun tour of
the fruit and vegetable market where you get to know
Thai ingredients better. After, you've got the basics right,
it's time to sport your aprons and get ready at your station
for some real work. Learn to make a five-course Thai meal
with live demonstrations by a chef. Tom Kha Kai
(chicken in coconut milk soup), Som Tam (papaya salad),
Phad Thai (Thai fried noodles with prawns),
Kaeng Kiew Warn Kai (Thai green curry with chicken)
and Ka Nom Kluay (steamed banana cakes) are must-do
recipes. End the class by enjoying your culinary creations
with your newlymade friends.
TAKE
A DAY TRIP TO KOH YAO NOI
The land of sun and sea has some unspolit, hidden gems
and Koh Yao Noi, in the heart of Phang Nga, is one of them.
Encounter the simple pleasures of island life by setting off
on a bike ride on its circular roads, touring the traditional
rubber farms with buckets hanging from the tree trunks
and watching the buffaloes taking mud baths in rice paddies.
You can also consider a catamaran ride to the idyllic
Ao Kian Bay, situated on the northern tip of Koh Yao Noi.
Kayak while soaking in the exotic scenery surrounded by
towering limestone cliffs and Toh Buad Cave or converse
with nature by jungle trekking through the protected
rainforest. Don't miss the `Big Tree' the 300-year-old
jungle giant requires around 20 people to form a circle
around it and makes for a spectacular landmark.
Exhausted with all the activity? Take a break at the little
nature-inspired shack that offers the most exotic Thai meal
in the wild, or plug into local culture by interacting with the
fishermen. They are happy to invite you into their personal
space, narrate stories of the past and offer a traditional
delicacy of grilled banana and sweet potatoes mixed with
fresh, ground coconut and a dash of salt and sugar.
After all, travels are made of these little experiences.
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shikha
shah
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TL10APR16
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