New Year in Phuket

I celebrated my New Year in a foreign land - Phuket! This is the second country I am visiting after Singapore which was in the year 1997-1998.

Patong Beach

How was it? It was overall a good trip but could be better. Being in Phuket with a bunch of friends was an interesting event. For a person who didn't travel much, I can say the 10 most striking thing about Phuket from my point of view is :-

1. 96% population in Phuket are whites (from all over the world). The rest are Indian, Nepal, Chinese, Thai and "lain-lain".


2. Pork is served widely. Its like their national dish. You can get pork just about everywhere. Its tough for a Muslim to eat. Yes, there are Halal restaurant, but its like paying RM 20 for a meal.


3. Dogs in Phuket are mute. They don't bark. Not even the Rottweiler.


4. My trip was during the super peak season, so the prices of all items are triple than normal. But their imitation products are good!


5. I can't get used to paying in Bath. Because everything you pay, you need to add a zero behind the number you pay in Msia. Imagine paying for a mineral water, "20 bath", "what!? 20 ringgit... ohh wait a minute... RM 2.. ok...."


6. Thais can't pronounce Twenty (20). They will pronounced it as Seventy (70). I got a shock of my life while paying for my mineral bottle.


7. There is mobile advertisement van promoting Muay Thai fights all day and night long. For the first day you are there, its fine.. but it sure gets on your nerve after the first day. "Big fight! Big fight! Tonight! Tonight!". Ganee goes = "F*$% idiot! Stupid irritating! Arghghh!"


8. Beware while bargaining with Nepal girls (The salesgirls in the gift shop lah!). They may be small but feisty.


9. Somehow Thailand is famous for suits. You can make your complete business suit here for RM 500. I got one!


10. Everyone is your friend in Phuket. "My friend, come in my friend".

New Year!?

It was the best New Year ever! The entire Bangla Road (Strange.. didn't see any banglas) was in a party mood.

• Firecrackers was bursting all night long. Those CNY firecrackers bursting one after another on the roads.


• People were dancing, spraying you with some kindda party thingy. (don't know what is it).


• Watch fireworks just above you, literally I was directly under the fireworks, it was amazing.


• Watch ppl let go hundreds of lanterns by the beach. It was a beautiful sight.


• Watch ppl get drunk and stone asleep by the beach. I hope the wave didn't bring him away.


• People was amazingly nice. Even though they were drunk and partying. No fights broke out. Ppl were polite and respectful. You can't get that in KL. Not with the Mat Rempits around.


• Ppl were dressed to kill. We came with shirt and jeans. Ok what?

Other interesting things?

• Phuket this time around was full of perfect ppl. The guys were hunk and very muscular. The ladies were very pretty and overly "perfect" in certain part of their body anatomy. Kindda Utopia. Were we the outcast.


• Yes, there were topless girls in the beach, sadly old ppl.


• Yes, there were pretty "ladyboys". No I didn't approached them.


• Sleazy joints? Its there if you look hard enough.
  
• Bangla Road is the most happening place in Phuket. Its filled with rows of bars and pubs. Each outlet has its own trademark. Some provide pole dancers, both original and ladyboy.


• The best pick up line I have heard... "Mister, can I love you for one hour?". Hahahh my friend and I laughed hysterically.
  
• Take a tour to Phi Phi island. We went snorkeling at one spot. It looked like 100m deep. Although beautiful but not for the faint hearted.

Things that I missed and wished I have done:-

• FantaSea show


• Simon cabaret show


• Firing range


• Jet ski


• Visiting Karon beach (Nude beach?)


• Getting a bike/car and travel the entire island


• Getting a spa treatment


• Watching a Muay Thai fight


• Getting on a Tuk Tuk.


• Visiting the rest of the beaches. So sad....


• Walking half naked like the whites guys. But alas, I don't have 6 packs.....

My advise, visit Phuket during the New Year once in your lifetime before you reach 35.