Exploring Phuket, Thailand: A Travel Diary

Welcome back to my blog! In this third post, I’ll be sharing my recent adventures in the stunning island of Phuket, Thailand. From breath-taking scenery to some unexpected disappointments, this trip had it all!

The Journey Begins

On May 31, 2024, we took off for Phuket aboard Etihad Airways. The flight itself was quite enjoyable and was rather smooth sailing with no turbulence but I struggled to catch some sleep, and the food wasn’t great either. Upon landing, our first impressions of the airport were a bit underwhelming. The interior felt outdated, and the air had a dusty scent. Unfortunately, the security checks took two long hours, thanks to outdated technology and inefficient processes.

After navigating through the chaos, we collected our luggage and hopped into a GRAB, which is Thailand’s version of Uber, for our ride to the hotel.

A Culture Shock on the Drive

The 90-minute drive to our hotel was a real eye-opener. We noticed the local housing was primarily made of simple materials with tin roofs and shaky foundations. The traffic was another shocking as majority of it was motorbikes dominating the roads, often carrying up to 3 passengers. It was both chaotic and a little overwhelming!

Hotel Disappointment

When we finally arrived at our hotel, we were disheartened. Despite booking a 4-star boutique hotel through a travel agent, we found ourselves in a location that felt more like a jungle than a getaway. The hotel was right on a busy main road with absolutely no security. To reach reception, we had to walk through a pond and a restaurant, and the entire place appeared run down and unkempt. The staff's limited English was another challenge.

But the worst was yet to come. Our hotel room was dirty, with Mould in the bathroom, malfunctioning air conditioning, and a balcony that had doors that didn’t fully close meaning that they couldn’t keep out mosquitoes and lizards. With temperatures soaring to 35 degrees, we knew we had to find a new place to stay, which turned out to be the best decision we could have made!

A New Beginning

Once we relocated to a much better hotel near a beautiful beach, our trip took a delightful turn. We had several exciting activities lined up, and the atmosphere was immediately more positive.

Tiger Kingdom Adventure

Our first day trip was to Tiger Kingdom, a sanctuary where visitors can interact with tigers. I was terrified of these massive animals that you automatically have an opinion and observation of them being
very intimidating, but despite are fears my boyfriend Shane bravely entered their enclosure to pet a tiger and take some photos. While I watched anxiously from outside the barrier as I was too scared to go in, Shane had the time of his life, which was lovely to see.

Elephant Sanctuary Experience

Are second activity being my favourite activity, and this was an ethical elephant sanctuary. Our experience in the elephant sanctuary was amazing all the staff where so friendly and had so much love and care for the elephants. The environment was very natural, and the elephants where not tied up or chained to anything the where just walking around freely. We got to feed the elephants and pet them. They felt so wrinkly and prickly but where so calm and friendly, we were informed by the staff there that if you give them tasty, sweet fruit as food they see you as their friend, we fed them pineapples. This experience was genuinely unforgettable.

 

Island Hopping Adventure

We also embarked on a boat tour around the Phi Phi Islands. To our surprise, we found ourselves on a tour which was primarily a Chinese speaking tour, with just the two of us speaking English! Thankfully, one of the operators could translate, so we were in good hands. The views of Maya Bay, Monkey Island, Ko Phi Phi Le, and the Viking Caves were absolutely breath-taking, the crystal-clear waters and stunning landscapes that felt straight out of a postcard.

Visiting the Big Buddha

Lastly, we visited the Big Buddha, the highest viewpoint in Phuket. The drive up was steep and winding, with elephants and monkeys along the roadside. Upon arrival, I had to purchase shawls to cover up, as women had to be completely covered to enter. Surrounding the Buddha are breath-taking viewpoints that showcase the views of Phuket, the surroundings are also filled with mini statues and monuments as well as an area closed off that you can be blessed by the monks.

 

Final Thoughts

Despite the rocky start to our trip, Phuket ultimately captured our hearts with its beauty and culture. From the majestic elephants to the mesmerizing islands, our experiences were truly unforgettable. I hope this post gives you some insight into what to expect when visiting this tropical paradise, both the highs and the lows!

Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll share more travel tips and experiences!