Four-day Chill Sesh in Phuket, Thailand

As templed out as I got during our last year’s ASEAN Summer Loop, I got beached out halfway our Beach Hop Asia 2016 summer backpacking trip this year. The island life had caught me up early on that all I wanted was to keep still and enjoy the inland life. And that’s what we did in Phuket, that famous holiday place in the southern part of Thailand.

Phuket is one of the famous beach destinations in Thailand and getting there has never been easier because of the direct flights from major Asian hubs including Manila (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Phuket).

Stretchings in Phuket be like... | #BeachHopAsia2016 | Phuket, Thailand

A photo posted by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on May 3, 2016 at 4:29pm PDT

Phuket was our fifth and final stop in Thailand on our two-month Beach Hop Asia 2016 backpacking trip. After exploring Melaka, Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia, me and my buddy headed to Koh Pangan, Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi in the southern part of Thailand before our 4-day stint in Phuket.

Phuket, Thailand

Coming from Koh Phi Phi, we scored a good deal on ferry+van combo going to Phuket (THB350|US$10.5 each) from a tour agency. The hassle-free transfer brought us right at the doorstep of our home in Phuket, Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort.

We had four full days to explore Phuket and we did no tours at all. We’re halfway through our two-month trip and maybe because of the accumulated exhaustion from the first part, it dragged us both to slackerhood.

The intense heat made our saunter a punishment. It was our second day when we decided to go out from the resort and walk two blocks away to the famous Patong Beach.

Beach umbrellas and makeshift lounge sun beds lined the sugary ivory sand. The long stretch of Patong Beach was packed with tourists who were either letting themselves get suntanned under the scorching heat or trying out different water sports.

Patong Beach

There were a few who were enjoying their late afternoon swim; I didn’t even bother to take a dip as the water wasn’t that enticing (Filipinos are beach snobs, I know). We walked further and noticed some locals, like families, who seemed to be having fun at the shore. We wanted to carry on but I saw a familiar sign.

I was grumpy. I forgot why. Haha.

It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be.

I don’t fancy fast food that much and I wouldn’t trade it for good local eats. But after a month of having superb Malaysian and Thai cuisines, I was suddenly yearning for burger, fries and soda.

We went to McDonald’s, checked out the menu and realized that a meal could sustain two meals from a local eatery. Me and my buddy considered backing out but realized that we truly deserve that 285-Baht meal (US$8), for whatever reason.

Our first ever fast food meal after a month!

We sat on the outside dining area and waited for the sunset while I was savoring each and every bite of our hearty dinner. The sky was filled with flaming hues of red and orange and then the huge sun started to kiss the horizon, and I was still enjoying every crumb and morsel of my food.

Sunset at Patong Beach

It was too early to party, but we wanted to grab a beer or two and enjoy the last glow of sunlight right by the beach so we bought some from a convenience store (THB35|US$0.98) and rested on the almost empty shore.

Bangla Road was just a few strides away from where we boozed up. At eight in the evening, we started to scout the area for our beer place and found Monsoon Bar that sells the cheapest beer amongst all the bars. We sat on the open-aired area as we started our people-watching stint.

The famous Bangla Road in Phuket

Pole dancers in action

For two straight nights, we totally enjoyed our booze up sesh at Bangla Road. It was like our party experience at Siem Reap’s Pub Street. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not the hardcore party rats but just enjoy meeting other travelers and hearing their travel stories. mostly on bars and pubs. It was the same at Phuket. We met a lovely couple from South Africa who were in their 60’s but still rocking it. We got to chitchat with them as we groove to the music of a live band (which is proudly an all-Filipino one) as we hear their next itinerary and future plans. They’re the couple I wanted to emulate.

Monsoon Bar in Bangla Road has the cheapest happy hour promo! :)

We also met a great guy, from I dunno where, and danced with him all night long. There’s also someone who bought beer for us while we’re grooving. And then someone spoke to me in Filipino language which felt like I was back home partying at the beach front clubs in Boracay. I had so much fun for two nights which made me sluggish the morning after each night.

Phot for a fee :)

My memories of Phuket are limited to our Bangla Road beer nights. Me and my buddy are both snobs when it comes to party scenes in the Philippines (with an exception of Boracay). But when we travel outside the country, we have this tendency to get drawn to great booze parties like the crazy Full Moon Party in Koh Pangan (Thailand), the wet and wild Thingyan Water Festival in Myanmar and our favorite Pub Street in Siem Reap (Cambodia). I could probably make an article about ‘The best parties I’ve been to in Southeast Asia’ and Bangla Road will definitely be included. 


Check here for discounted hotel rates in Phuket