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Phuket Old Town – Things to do! We all know that there are many things to do in Phuket. Phuket Old Town is one of the places that need to be on the list of things you plan to do when visiting Phuket. The experience is different from the beach scenery that you have read about over and over on the internet. The place simply tells a story of its own which most historians and people who just love to know more than what is on the surface of a place will appreciate.  Besides learning about the history, there are lots of other activities than you can engage in while here. From upside-down museums, to the Old Phuket Town market and taste-bud tantalizing cuisines there is lots to enjoy that’s for sure. So, what is there to look forward in this place they call an old town? Let’s dive in so that you don’t miss out on anything… Get a chance to experience the other side of Phuket! The one great thing that Old Town Phuket offers its visitors, is the chance to visit Phuket’s infamous museum and exhibition – the Thai Hua Museum. Nothing offers visitors so much history about Phuket that this spot. There is lots of information you can gather from the architectural artifacts that are present as well as the art. Much as the Thai Hua Museum is sometimes used to host functions, visitors are allowed whenever they please. In a beautiful courtyard inside the building of the museum are tools that were used during the era when Phuket was tin mining centre. There are several exhibition rooms where visitors can learn about the history of Phuket by watching lots of films. And one of things that people get to discover is the lasting connection between China and Phuket that was forged over the years. Historical Phuket comes to life as you look at the inviting walls of the museum. So whenever on Krabi road, just dash in and check it out. Check out the Colourful Soi Romance Trust me when I tell you that there is lots to enjoy in Phuket Old Town. One of the things you will notice are the vintage Sino-Portuguese style shop houses. Lined up on a specific street in the middle of the old town, these buildings are very traditional. Also on this street are some cute little shops, guest houses, as well as café bars. This is a street that you will enjoy taking a walk through especially on a breezy evening or night. The colourful buildings normally come to life especially on clear starry night skies. With the Chinese inspiration that’s there, you won’t miss new things to do in Old Phuket Town. There is a different atmosphere to be experienced and appreciated. It feels like you are on an entirely new place from the Phuket that you are used to. Now if you are looking for a romantic stroll with your significant other, then this is the perfect road to follow. This is one of the most romantic places in Old Town Phuket, that has an array of activities you can experience together – romantic dinners, exotic drinks. Plus, to add some spice some spice to its romance, this place had the reputation of having a naughty past as it was a popular red-light district in Phuket.  Get spiritual at Jui Tui Shrine If you have booked a tour of Phuket, chances are very high that a tour to this spiritual Jui Tui Shrine will be part of the old town itineraries since its hailed to be one of the most beautiful Chinese shrines this part of Phuket has to offer. Huge crowds flock here every year to check it out as it has the reputations of being the most important attractions of Phuket Old Town. Much as it is a part of the old town, I will have you know that it has undergone lots of innovations over the years and it is dedicated to Tean Hu Huan Soy. There is a lot to learn here. If your spirituality lies on the superstitions side and you want to know what the future holds for you, then don’t forget to stop at the fortune sticks here. The other thing you need to know about this shrine is that people also come here to celebrate their personal events like the sad or happy things that may have occurred. Seeing as the locals here are very spiritual, the place is usually packed because this shrine is one of the most popular ones in the areas. Night Shopping Experience  At this old town you can shop till you drop. There are plenty of markets here, each presenting their own appeal. The town gives visitors enough opportunities to shop affordable shoes, clothes, souvenirs and much more. Make sure you try out the Old Phuket Town market shopping experience and get the chance to take advantage of their competitive prices which you might probably not get anywhere else. The market is a street market and locals hail as one if the best local night markets in Old Town Phuket and has a wide variety of products. New or slightly used, from handbags to mobile phones, souvenirs to pirated CDs, be sure to find it all here. This night market will meet and even surpass your expectations in terms of cost and variety with a mix of exotic and urban shopping experience. The thing that adds more spice to the awesomeness to this street market is the aromas of the delectable cuisines tickling your nose. They have the best local snacks you can find in Phuket markets. So, you get to shop as well as enjoy the tastes of Thai snacks that are made when you order – that’s how fresh the food is. To the freshly made food, you can also enjoy refreshing tropical drinks and fruits. Enjoy a Simple, Relaxing Walk on the Street The other way in Phuket Old

Bangla Road Phuket and everything you need to know Bangla Road Phuket is one of the busiest streets in Phuket, and for a good reason! If you ever find yourself in Patong and close to Patong beach, then it is super easy to go to Bangla road. You just have to walk for a few minutes and you will find yourself there. Or take a Tuk-tuk, and you will be there in no time whatsoever. Bangla Road, Patong, is considered to be the epicenter of nightlife in Phuket. There, you will be able to find many places to have a great night and it has something to cater to every taste. What to expect to find at Patong Bangla Road During the day, you can still have a walk to Bangla road, since it is only a few mins walk from the beach. But the real fun at Bangla Road Thailand starts after 6 pm in the evening. For Phuket Nightlife Bangla road is one of the best solutions. People visit this amazing road from all over the world, and many know it as THE place to visit for nightlife in Phuket. When in Bangla road Patong you will be able to find the following activities: Visit the beach near the Bangla road Soi Bangla is even better when you have a hotel within walking distance. Near the famous road, you will be able to find a beach that you can visit. It is a beautiful beach with cool waters and white sand. The beach itself is super famous with the people who are visiting Patong and Phuket. There are plenty of activities at Patong Beach and you can have plenty of food and drinks at various establishments in the area. Find your spot on the beach and spend your day there until it’s time to go do something more exciting. The Patong Beach Bangla Road is one of the most exciting beaches you can visit in Phuket with loads of people visiting it every day. Near the Patong Beach Bangla Road, you will also find the JungCeylon Shopping Center, where you can go for some shopping after a day at the beach. Grab a bite at Soi Bangla Phuket Bangla Road has some awesome food at probably the lowest prices around. You can visit a whole new fresh market of food options and check out the restaurants that serve plenty of flavorful local dishes. One of the reasons that people fall in love with Thailand, Phuket is because of the amazing cuisine that the place is renowned for. No matter how many times you visit you will find something amazing and super tasty to entertain your taste buds with. And Bangla Road Bars and restaurants offer some amazing flavors for you to remember forever. Finding food won’t be difficult since there are plenty of options available for every palette. Have drinks and enjoy the Bangla Road Nightlife Once the time passes and the sun goes out, the road turns to a whole new experience. If you live at any of the hotels near Bangla Road Phuket, then you will be able to spot the road at night from your balcony! It’s a bright gathering of lights and happy people walking around enjoying the beer bars, live music bars, and the loud music. During the night there are numerous places you can have a drink and listen to music! You can find places with a huge bar area and a dancing area in the middle where you can enjoy pole dancers plying their trade! You won’t only find drink bars there though! There are plenty of Go Go Bars as well if you are into that kind of entertainment. There are many bars where you can go for a snack and a simple drink. There you will find amazing drinks that won’t break the bank since most of the drinks are incredibly well-priced. On Bangla Road, you will find many famous old bars as well. Some of these famous bars are the U2 Bar, the Aussie Bar, Sunset Bar and the now updated Soi Tiger and Tiger Entertainment complex. The Tiger Entertainment Complex is a place where you can spend a whole night since it consists of 3 tiers for you to explore. You can sit at any one of the bars in the street and have fun, while watching all the different kinds of people walking by. Now if you are looking for another kind of fun, you can visit all the Go Go bars situated on the road of Bangla. Soi SeaDragon is one of the most famous places to go for Go Go Bars. At many Go Go Bars you will also get the chance to experience such things as Ping Pong shows and more! Just make sure you keep in mind to avoid some more expensive and less friendly places such as the Moulin Rouge. Sex tourism is not unusual in Thailand, Phuket so be aware you may encounter some unusual scenes at some of the shows that you can see along Bangla Road. Dance your heart out at Patong Bangla Road Nightclubs If the night is still young and you can take some more, then visit some of the world famous Bangla road nightclubs! Bangla road is world famous for the nightlife and the entertainment it can offer to visitors and that is one of the reasons that it is always packed. People know that if they visit Bangla Road Thailand, they will have a good time no matter what. The nightclubs are a big part of the huge nightlife in Bangla. Places like Illuzion Phuket are famous for the huge parties and crowds that attend the clubs. You can dance all night long in a crowd of people that are not judging you if you dance good or bad since they are likely already kind of tipsy off the nicely priced drinks at the bars. You can let yourself dance as much as

Celebrate at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival On the eve of the ninth lunar month, people of Thailand come together to celebrate the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, a celebration of the Nine Emperor Gods. The Nine Emperor Gods festival might be a little bit different than what you think when you think of a Vegetarian Festival. If you find yourself in Thailand during the time of the festival (Usually at the end of September) then here is all you need to know. What is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival? The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is one of the most famous events in the country, especially because of its extreme celebrations and the ideas behind the festival itself. Mainly, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is also known as the Nine Emperor Gods festival since it celebrates the invocation of the Nine Emperors and their welcome into the world. The Emperor Gods are believed to arrive in the world through places of waters such as rivers, the sea, and other waterways. That is why most of the celebrations take place at temples, major shrines or locales near this kind of places. “Vegetarian” comes in place when for the period of nine days, those who participate in the festival wear white and they abstain from eating meat, dairy products and everything in between. Vendors and food restaurant owners mark their places with special signs or tickets in order to indicate that their menu offers options for the vegetarians that attend the festival. The streets are packed with places that offer (basically vegan) vegetarian options for food and they are marked with the yellow and red flags. The food is mainly vegan since this ritual expects people that attend to stay away from everything animal-produced including dairy. Here is where things might get weird for some people. See, in Thailand, the vegetarian festival may mean something different than what you are thinking. The festival itself comes with some of the wildest rituals of the country. Some of the rituals are not for the faint of heart, that is why we want to issue a spoiler alert for what’s about to follow! What to Expect at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival? This is one of the bloodiest festivals on the planet. Although there is no carnage when it comes to the festival itself, the tradition has kept some rituals that are unusual for many of us. That is why this specific festival has inherited the title of one of the most extreme and eccentric festivals in Thailand and possibly in the world. If you are a peaceful vegetarian that seeks no violence and a serene experience then maybe you would want to stay away from this festival. One of the main themes of the festival is a form of self-mutilation. We are talking from simple piercings all the way through to coal walking and tongue slashing to celebrate the arrival of the Emperor Gods. The piercings and the mutilations are usually supervised by medics, but there are still some cases of extreme behavior when it comes to self-mutilation during the festival. There are plenty of people that pierce themselves and pierce their cheeks, not only with small needles and piercings, but during the festival you will see many people with larger items through their cheeks and skin such as rods, tubes, flag posts, and other unusual things. It’s not the most serene of festivals, but it is still an important one for the local communities both social and religion-wise The event is a Taoist event and it is being celebrated by thousands of people throughout the whole country. It is mainly for the Chinese and Thai-Chinese communities since this specific event is interconnected with the Chinese calendar and it takes place during the month of the Chinese celebrations as well. The food and rules of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival During the event, the food is going to be loved by vegan people, since it’s everywhere. There is a huge amount of places that offer vegan food during this period, and everything excludes dairy and meat. From the various restaurants and food stalls to local favorite places. There is plenty of food during the festivities in Phuket. This is because this period demands the devotees of the festival to exclude those things from their diets, including alcohol and sex. Especially the masong. Masong are the people who are spiritually connected with the vegetarian festival, Thailand. This group of people is inviting spirits to enter their bodies, and this is one of the groups that inflict the most mutilations and piercings during this period. Another thing they do is coal walking since they believe if they allow their bodies to get hurt, they can let spirits inside them. In order to be a masong, you have you be an unmarried pure man or women though, so, that is also the reason many pregnant women and people that are mourning during the time of the festival usually do not attend. Vegetarian Festival Thailand: One of the loudest demonstrations of faith If you have the luck and the guts to attend this festival, there are plenty of people around the world that gather in order to watch the festivities or even join the crowd. Are you one of the people that will join the Thailand Vegetarian Festival? While in Phuket…. If you are traveling to Phuket for the festival, there are plenty of other wonderful things worth doing while you are here. From dining in fine restaurants to strolling down the main district and partaking in the street food experience, Phuket has much to offer. The islands are glorious and should be seen first hand. Do that by avoiding the crowds as well, with one of our amazing tours in Phuket. So what do you think, are you one of the people that will join the Thailand Vegetarian Festival?

Relax at the Bamboo Island One of our favorite places to visit while on our Phi Phi Islands boat tour is Bamboo Island. This serene spot is one of our favorite places on Earth, and this evidenced by the number of times we visit it during our open season. Every single time, the view and the beauty of the island still amaze us. This is probably one of the best spots on the planet to just sit there and relax, take in one of the most beautiful sceneries you will ever witness in your life. A breathtaking destination of the Phi Phi Islands Bamboo Island, Thailand, is one of the favorite destinations when people visit the Phi Phi islands in general. When in Thailand, Bamboo Island is a must for many of the visitors. Some other highlights of the Phi Phi islands are the amazing Pileh Lagoon, the Maya Bay and the Viking cave located next to each other, the islands Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh, monkey beach and of course, the main highlights are the white sand and the turquoise waters that surround the beautiful islands. Please note that you can organize your day trip with us for the Phi Phi islands and reach them by speed boat! Bucket list material! Your time at Phi Phi should include the Bamboo Island Phuket Thailand experience! This offers some of the most impressive locales, and Bamboo Island is one of the best. The secluded location is a favorite among visitors because of its serenity, combined with the beauty of the island. The tiny island is covered in bamboo trees, thus the name of the island, and it also has one of the most famous beaches on Phi Phi, the Bamboo beach. The beach itself is magnificent. From the crystal clear water to the crisp white sand of the beach, the only thing that the location inspires is immense calmness and relaxation. Once you set foot on the beach and take a look around, you feel like you are stepping out of one of those traveling guides you used to look at all the times. You lean back, appreciate the view, enjoy the scenery and feel nothing but grateful for the beauty our planet offers so freely. What to do at Bamboo Island Once you get on the island you will be greeted by the inviting waters and the sand of the island, but also the beach amenities that are there. For example, there are toilets for visitors and places to grab a snack. A bite is always welcome when you are enjoying such amazing scenery. On the beach, of course, you will have to keep in mind that you NEED to keep it clean. Treat the beach like you would treat your own house since it is one of nature’s most precious spots. The island in general, besides the beaches, has a magnificent bed of greenery making it feel all the more magical. The forest of the island has some bamboo trees amongst the foliage, but you can also find plenty of other trees there, and a walk through it is highly suggested, Just watch your step! Another activity on bamboo island is of course snorkelling! Snorkelling is enjoyable all over the Phi Phi island, and that is also the case for the Bamboo island as well. So, put your snorkelling mask on and explore the underwater scenery of Bamboo Island and see all the colourful fish. But if you wanna take it a step further, then you can dive just a bit further in deeper water. A must visit while at Phi Phi The majestic island is not a big one, but it has an incredible amount to offer to visitors. It feels like the whole island has a soul. The beauty is something that you simply have to stop and stare at for a while, soak it in, and realize that it is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. And the way to the island is not too shabby either! You will have the opportunity to travel on serene waters and beautiful coastlines and you will start seeing the island on the horizon. Before you even realize how beautiful it is, you will be walking on the smooth, sandy beach. You can get to the island by long boat or speedboat, and of course, Simba Sea Trips can provide you with the perfect way to reach Bamboo island. Just settle on a trip and you can leave the idyllic journey to Bamboo Island and Bamboo Beach with us!

All you need to know about Big Buddha, Phuket The island of Phuket is packed with magical and breathtaking destinations, and there is something to do each and every day that you are here, but one of the most important destinations and landmarks is the Big Buddha, Phuket. Phuket Big Buddha is one of the most respected and well-known places to visit, not only in Phuket but in the whole of Thailand.   It is without question one of the biggest and most important landmarks in Phuket. The statue was built back in 2004 and it has been standing there proudly ever since. The name of the statue, as known among locals is Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha. The structure is an astonishing achievement, a tremendous combination of concrete and shiny Burmese white jade marble. Making it eye-candy, both from down the hill, but most importantly right beside with a spectacular view of Phuket that surrounds the structure. Besides the Big Buddha, Phuket’s biggest landmark, you will also find a smaller statue of Buddha that surrounds the site which is golden in colour, making the spot feel even more sacred. These two monuments sit alongside an array of other statues of Buddha and monks. The serenity of this spot is indescribable, and the essence of being surrounded by the statues and engulfed in the views and the sound of the bells is hard to beat. How do I get to the Big Buddha? The road to the beautiful statue also provides a nice opportunity to follow the road leading up the hill that is located near Chalong Bay, and off Chao Fa Road East. This scenic journey is highly recommended. In addition to the actual road to the statue, there are plenty of tours offered to take visitors to the Big Buddha offered by a wide range of tour operators. Where is the Big Buddha statue located? The huge statue is located in the south, close to coconut island Phuket, and it can also be seen from a long distance within the area. If you are around there, then you won’t miss it. It stands tall and proud on a hill in Chalong, and more specifically, Chang Wat Phuket. What should I wear to Big Buddha Phuket? The Big Buddha Phuket is a religious site and it is disrespectful to go there with beach clothes or short skirts and graphic t-shirts. Religion is very important to the Thai people and they expect others to pay the same respect to their sacred places as they would do for you. If you are in your vacation clothes though, you are able to ask for a sarong in order for you to cover up any areas of your body, or graphic clothing, considered disrespectful. How much does Big Buddha weigh? The weight of the Big Buddha statue is not 100% known but a good indication is the reinforced concrete that is covered with Jade White Marble tile, which weighs 135 tons per 2500 sq.m. How tall is the Big Buddha? The Big Buddha stands 45 meters tall and it oversees the beautiful area of Phuket and all the people in the area, making it one of the most celebrated beacons of religion in Thailand. The immense stature of the structure is adored by thousands of visitors every year and it has become a go-to destination when someone visits Phuket, Thailand. It is important for many tourists around the world to visit the most important religious locations, in order to get to know the religion and the country itself even better, than they would do just by visiting the area in general. Can you walk to Big Buddha Phuket? Not only can you walk to the Big Buddha Phuket, but there is also a fitness challenge associated with it! If you are involved with fitness, you will love this run (and even people who are not that involved with fitness). The Big Buddha run in Phuket is being organized almost every Tuesday and it is a tough running challenge that leads to the top of the 6km hill. If you are willing to take the challenge, then they say that you will experience one of the best runs of your life. The jewel of Chalong Bay Thailand and Phuket, in general, have plenty of amazing treasures to visit and be amazed by, but the Big Buddha Phuket is one of the must-see locations when you visit Phuket.  Don’t miss your chance to stand right beside this amazing marvel of engineering and look at the unrivaled view of Phuket complete with a panoramic 360 view of everything that surrounds this gigantic statue. Visiting the Big Buddha Phuket will be one of the experiences of a lifetime. But for other similar experiences that are hard to beat, try a Simba boat tour to some of Phuket’s finest travel locations.  

The 5 best restaurants in Phuket you should definitely visit By visiting the best restaurants in Phuket, you will have the chance to experience one of the most flavorful and versatile cuisines first hand. The best dining in Phuket can be at unassuming places that are hidden, known by locals and loved by everyone or at Phuket restaurants that you can eat food alongside dozens of people. Known or unknown, there are some restaurants that can offer you the best dining experience of your life, with the best flavours at Phuket’s top flavour sources. Discover every region’s tastes and flavours with your visit. Phuket is a melting pot full of different resorts and hotels as well as individual restaurants that offer some amazing food for all budgets and palates. Most people think that there will only be Thai food available but there are plenty of choices when it comes to Phuket food. So you are probably wondering what are the best restaurants in Phuket, and where are the best places to eat in Phuket? Well read on and I’ll give you our list of the 5 best restaurants in Phuket you should definitely visit. Remember, this is just our favourite spots from living here in Phuket as expats for the last 8 years. We tend to favour some Western food restaurants over Thai food restaurants as you don’t necessarily need to go to a Thai restaurant to enjoy some amazing Thai food. There are so many street carts around that serve up traditional and delicious food. Restaurant for Thai Fusion Cuisine with a Twist Suay Restaurant (Cherng Talay) There are actually two branches of this restaurant. One is in Phuket Town, which opened in 2010 and the other is in Cherng Talay which opened in 2017. Both of these restaurants serve amazing food and both have a beautiful ambience but there is something about the Cherng Talay restaurant that we prefer a little more. Their outdoor garden area is quite magical and it is so nice to dine outside here. Suay is a modern Thai fusion restaurant that serves up some traditional flavours with some seriously creative and visually stunning dishes. Restaurant with fresh creativity Taste This beauty has also been a long time favourite. Chef Martin and his beautiful wife Jade, own and run three of these restaurants now. Back in the old days they used to have a stunning beach front restaurant but sadly that was closed down along with all the other beachside restaurants on Surin Beach. Nowadays you can taste their delicious creations at their restaurant in Kamala, Bang Tao and the newly opened Cape Yamu branch. All of their dishes are well considered and presented beautifully using fresh tasty ingredients. Our personal favourite is the fish taco. Luckily you can get it in an appetizer and main size so make sure you try it. Phuket’s ultimate brunch! The Slate for Sunday Brunch This has been a long time favorite of ours since moving to Phuket 8 and a half years ago. It used to be called Indigo Pearl back then but had a name change and is now known as The Slate. Luckily their Sunday brunch didn’t change and they still serve up some amazing foods on their buffet. There is an array of delectable meats and seafood to choose from. You can choose how much you want and how you want it cooked. To accompany that there is a wonderful assortment of salads, cheeses, pastas, Indian and Thai curries and then for the sweet tooth, a huge selection of cakes, pastries and sweets. This brunch is not to be missed. It is on the pricier end these days so maybe best to save it for a special occasion. Dining in Phuket Italian Style La Gaetania If you’re looking for some traditional Italian food served by a wonderful Italian host then look no further than this restaurant. Gianni is such a wonderful host and gives you such a warm friendly welcome. He caters to all guests needs. One of my favourite touches is Gianni’s reading glasses menu. He has a range of reading glasses to suit all eyes. One night Gianni noted that our friend was struggling to read the menu as she had forgotten her glasses. Next minute Gianni is by her side with a wooden tray offering her a selection of reading glasses. Truly wonderful attention to detail. Phuket’s best and tastiest hidden treasure Thong Dee This little gem is off the beaten track and can be a little hard for people to find. Thong Dee is best known for its traditional Sunday roast. They do also serve an array of other Western and Thai dishes but the roasts are what draws the crowds. Taste traditional Phuket food – Best dining with unforgettable flavours Thailand is a pretty diverse country geographically, culturally and with its food. The country can be divided up into 4 locations, The North, South, Central and Northeast. Each of these different locations bring with them a different landscape, culture and cuisine. We are going to focus on the different food per region. You may be wondering what the difference is. Isn’t Thai food all the same? Well no actually. Depending on the region of Thailand they all tend to cook a little differently with what is available to them. FOOD IN THE NORTHERN REGION In the North, there are a lot of influences from Myanmar and Laos as they border the northern region. One of their most popular daily foods is sticky rice. They will serve it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. They prefer to cook with bitter flavours and dried spices. The North is known as being the least spicy of all four regions. FOOD IN THE CENTRAL REGION In Central Thailand, they tend to use a combination of various flavours and tastes. You can experience sweet, salty, spicy and rich flavours in their dishes. One of their most famous dishes is Green Curry. FOOD IN THE

Embrace the Phuket Nightlife experience When visiting Thailand, almost everybody will experience the Phuket nightlife in some form or another during their visit, and you may be surprised to hear…. there’s a lot more to the nightlife scene than you’d imagine. The Phuket nightlife area So where is the nightlife in Phuket? The Phuket nightlife area is actually dispersed all over the island, however, you’ll find the more intense, party scenes in only two areas. Patong is centralized around Bangla road while a less condensed collection of cool, small, independently owned bars and restaurants operate at night in Phuket town. Phuket nightlife activities Whilst most travelers come to Phuket for the pristine beaches, resorts and fun tours throughout the day, below you will find the best of Phuket things to do at night. The options for family-friendly nightlife in Phuket activities are many and varied.  Here’s a few to get you started…. Phuket Night Market Most visitors to Phuket find the night markets near Phuket town fascinating as they have a huge number of vendors offering a very interesting array of products to choose from.  Clothes, Street food, souvenirs, knock-off handbags, real leather goods made locally, the leather of which comes from all sorts of exotic animals, kids’ toys, sportswear, live pets, etc. …you name it.  It’s probably there! The whole atmosphere is fun and almost carnival-like.  Bright colors, amazing aroma’s, a busy place with hundreds of vendors and shoppers, and generally a good outing for the whole family with many bargains to be had.  If you need to take souvenirs home for friends and family, that you missed out on getting during the trip, this market would be the perfect place to tick off that task in one hit. It’s also worth noting that the level of ‘humbug’ you’ll find from vendors eager to sell you their wares, is a lot more manageable than a lot of other tourist type marketplaces you’d come across in the developing world. To get there, I’d recommend a taxi; just grab a taxi or tuk-tuk from wherever you are. Phuket public transportation whilst very cheap is still quite primitive, so rely on it only if you’re looking for an adventure (think wooden bench seats, open-air trucks with no-aircon, and lengthy transit time).  From most of the western beach areas, you can expect a drive of between 20-45 minutes to get to the Phuket night market.  It’s located on the western outskirts of Phuket town, quite close to Central Festival shopping center, a large western style shopping mall in the middle of Phuket island. Thai Cultural shows For many decades now, Thailand has been very well known for its cultural shows.  Phuket has two of these, namely Phuket Fantasea, in Kamala, and Siam Niramit, located in Koh Keaw on the bypass road (You will likely pass by it on the way from the airport to Patong). Both of these establishments are quite large scale productions and are a great way for the family to be introduced to some of the customs and history of Thailand in a fun and entertaining environment. If you’re thinking of dancing elephants, elephants that paint, play football etc…. then you’ve pretty much nailed what these places offer.  If that’s not your cup of tea, then I can say that despite the animal antics, they do both provide a very colorful, musical event. This involves choreographed dancing, very detailed costumes, and in the end, you will actually leave with a better understanding of the performance culture and history of Thailand. Siam Niramit, has less of an animal focus but has some very interesting areas to wander through that consist of mock farming villages from different regions around Thailand.  This experience also concludes with a stage show of multiple performers and dancers. Both of these cultural shows will provide hotel transfers inclusive in the ticket price. Shopping Malls If Shopping Malls are your thing, then Phuket has you well covered, with Jung Ceylon in Patong, and Central Festival in Kathu. Like most decent shopping malls, these have cinemas (screening predominantly in English), many restaurants to choose from and obviously a heap of shops with most of the big international brands represented, as well as some local vendors too. As Patong is the epicenter of tourism in Phuket, Jung Ceylon has more entertainment options than Central Festival including a ten-pin bowling alley, amusement arcade, and a gun-range with real guns and ammunition (for the bigger kids amongst us). Whilst all of these suggestions below are personal opinion, I’ll try to keep the recommendations as unbiased and as factual as possible. Our choice of the best pubs in Phuket As far as the traditional type of English, Irish, Aussie, or American style sports bars or pubs are concerned, you’ll find a suitable choice reasonably close to most areas in Phuket as they are well spread around the island.  The names to search for on Google are O’Reillys Irish pub and the Aussie Bar on Bangla road (which is great for Aussie sports fans) both of which are in Patong.  Bill Bentley’s at Turtle village north of the airport, and Pepper’s near Laguna resorts, are also good classic pubs. My choice out of the best pubs in Phuket though for a party atmosphere is Timber Hut in Phuket town.  This place gets jumping later in the evenings after 10 or 11 and is usually where most end up during a night out in Phuket town. The crowd is very mixed here with a combination of local Thais, expats living in Phuket, and travelers staying in Phuket town.  They have a great live band that plays most evenings, and DJ’s in between.  Expect dancing, very reasonably priced drinks combined with a great, fun, party vibe. Check out our holiday destinations for Aussies recommendations. Our choice of the best Phuket bars to pay a visit Phuket town has a great collection of small independent gin bars, cocktails bars, bars with live music, and craft beer

Most alluring things to do in Krabi We often like to describe Krabi, located in the province of the same name, as Phuket’s little sibling. It’s smaller, quieter (although it doesn’t always feel like this!) and overall a more casual destination. A holiday in Krabi is often a more affordable destination versus Phuket and whilst it still reflects its backpacker origins the area now offers many mid-market and some up-market dining and accommodation options. Of course, this doesn’t mean to say that there is a lack of attractions, indeed quite the opposite when considering things to do in Krabi, and for many people on a once-a-lifetime holiday to the south of Thailand, it makes complete sense to combine both Phuket and Krabi in a single trip. When people say ‘Krabi’ most really mean ‘Ao Nang’. This town, and nearby beach villages comprise a strip along the West Coast of about 4km. The strip starts from Nopparat Thara Pier in the north and journeys to the commercial zone at Ao Nang beach in the south. It is along this coastal strip that most will source accommodation for a holiday in Krabi. There is also a huge range of restaurants and shops (but no malls). Krabi Province Krabi Province can be reached by road from Phuket (~2.5hrs) as well as by ferry (3 – 4 hrs) from Rassada Pier near Phuket Town. However, the quickest way from Phuket is via speedboat (1hr). This is best done via private charter and Simba Sea Trips offers a Krabi Boat Tour that is hard to pass up! Krabi has an international airport (30 to 40 minutes by taxi at 600 baht) with most flights from Bangkok although increasingly there are direct seasonal flights from the Middle East and Northern Europe. Once in town the travel options are very easy and cheap compared to Phuket – tuk tuk journeys about 30 baht per person and local buses range between 50 and 100 baht per journey. With respect to land-based activities in Krabi, we will repeat the advice we often provide our customers about the best way to get around for a day tour. Hiring a driver and car is often very affordable (2,000 to 2,400 baht for 6 to 8 hours) and very efficient as you can hit up all the key land-based attractions for a holiday in Krabi (sometimes in a single day) without having to plan for sometimes unreliable public transport. Just remember to make it very clear to the driver that you are not interested in a ‘city tour’ (aka shopping tour) otherwise you’ll find yourself being ferried from one overpriced souvenir shop to another. Krabi vs Phuket – Island OR City Before we dive into some of Krabi’s attraction it’s important to point out some key differences when considering Krabi vs Phuket: Top-end market offerings for accommodation, dining, etc. is relatively limited so don’t assume Krabi is a luxury destination (but nevertheless part of the charm when holidaying in Krabi) It is very compact and easy to get around (& cheaper!) but this can leave one with the impression that Ao Nang is busier than it actually is; and There are lovely beaches of very special quality in the immediate Krabi area and it is a very easy and cost-effective area to reach. * The best time to visit Krabi island differs significantly from that of Phuket. While Phuket is an all-year around the destination, the best time to visit Krabi island tends to be between November and March although there is no real issue with visiting at other times of the year. Railay Beach Without a doubt the standout attraction for your holiday in Krabi is Railay Beach. The beach and towering limestone cliffs on the west side are truly stunning and arguably the most picturesque site in the entire Phuket AND Krabi region. The surf is very sedate as Railay is a protected bay and it is unusual to suffer from crowds if you take an early tour such as those offered by Simba Sea Trips. A 5-minute walk takes you to the east side and whilst there are no beaches one can visit Phra Nang Cave and surrounding cliffs. This area is very popular with rock climbers and there is also a pathway to a viewpoint nearby. Be warned though, the ‘path’ is very steep, is rope assisted in places and does require a high level of agility. But of course, the fantastic views make it all worthwhile. Time permitting we’d recommend staying a night on Railay to soak up the relaxed atmosphere and experience the beach and its surrounds at sunrise. Boat Tours Ao Nang is well placed to provide tours into both Phi Phi and the eastern fringe of the Phang Nga Bay area. Word of note – we are not aware of any premium tour operating at Simba Sea Trips standard – rather the market is very much about budget speedboat tours and Long Tail tours. This can mean high passenger numbers per boat and basic food offerings, when comparing Krabi vs Phuket making a Simba trip ideal. Phi Phi is 40 to 50 minutes away (Phuket 60 to 70 min) and the journey is less exposed to the bumpy sea conditions that can sometimes be found between Phuket and Phi Phi. Tiger Cave Temple One of the great things to do in Krabi is to visit the Tiger Cave Temple which is located 18km northeast of Ao Nang. This temple is famous for the tiger paw prints on the cave walls and the amazing views for the broader Krabi area from the summit. Speaking of the summit, just make sure you have the necessary fitness to cover the 1,237 steps! As you can imagine well worth the effort given the quality of the views! Krabi Town Night Market If you have hit the night markets of Phuket this visit might not be essential, but if not we’d definitely recommend. Krabi Town is located some

The Best Restaurants in Thailand that are worth checking out What are the best restaurants in Thailand that are guaranteed to provide a unique dining experience? I will have you know that Thailand is loaded with restaurants that deliver incredible experiences that many visitors will never forget. From fine dining to local cuisines to street food, you’ll be mesmerized by the meals and the great service that is provided. It’s normal to hear visitors shocked at how little they paid for well-prepared meals. As for spots where you can spend lavishly, you are assured to get value for your money. Read on and discover some of the restaurants within Thailand that will deliver an experience unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. Places to eat in Phuket When looking for the best restaurants in Phuket, you really can’t go wrong with the following: Blue Elephant Found in the center of Phuket is the Blue Elephant specializing in Royal Thai cuisine. If you want to be treated like Thai royalty, eat here. It is an actual mansion of the old Chinese colony offering fine dining in retrospect. It takes you back in time with its lavish surroundings that reminds you of a more genteel era. It also has an epic underlit bar. Blue Elephant offers an amazing blend of traditional royal dishes which may been forgotten by many. They also refine some to appeal to those customers who prefer more modern tastes. Chef Nooror ensures that many uncommon, “forgotten”, and traditional Thai dishes that are no longer served in most Thai restaurants, are available here. You can start with a foie gras in a rich tamarind sauce often accompanied by fresh eggplant salad along with grilled scallops. Then we’d suggest moving on to the delicious chicken and cashew mix with steamed bass in lemon sauce combined with a green curry soup served with red or white organic rice of your choice.The Blue Elephant is an excellent place to dine. Panveree the Greenery Not only providing great traditional Thai dishes but in a setting that is to die for, Panveree the Greenery is a magnificent choice for a dining experience you’ll never forget. The appeal of this venue is that it is in the heart of Khao Sok amidst a floating resort. Of course, this makes it exceptionally hard to get to unless staying at the resort itself but there is another option for those looking to experience this unique dining experience… That option is to arrive via boat and Simba Sea Trips provides this stop as part of their Phang Nga Bay tour! Acqua The Acqua is a trendy, award-winning Italian restaurant that offers fine dining experiences in Phuket. Diners have the chance to enjoy a wide range of dishes from around Thailand and internationally. For starters, you can get grilled eggplant rolls stuffed with truffled ricotta cheese and asparagus on a roasted eggplant mash. You can also go for the paccheri pasta with lamb ragout cooked in Chianti wine. Brown lentil soup with pork guanciale and rosemary is another great choice. Or why not try South Italian style seafood soup with fresh tomato and Italian pepperoncino. To crown your dining experience, a vanilla flan with Moka caramel is available for dessert. You won’t be disappointed. Suay Restaurant Top notch meals at a reasonably affordable price is what you get at Suay. Found in downtown Phuket, chef Tammasak is the driving force behind this outstanding venue. Providing diners with a lovely ambience, this white and green, well-lit restaurant provides grilled sea scallops to braised beef served in tasty green curry. What makes this onto the list of the best restaurants in Thailand is that Suay has an ever-changing menu, as is common to many local restaurants, but its meals are well-cooked and it’s environment is neat and welcoming making it one of the best Thailand restaurants. Ka Jok See Restaurant Not a world-renowned restaurant but amazingly famous to those around Phuket. Hotels.com describes it as “unusual, yet successful.” On a fun night out, you can walk into Ka Jok See with its beautiful Thai-European look and low lighting to eat local Thai food while you meet and socialize with the locals. Be ready to party hard once it’s past nine. You find some people standing on the tables dancing their hearts out! These tables are covered with newspapers to be replaced often. So, don’t worry about eating and dancing on the same table. Just make sure you don’t have to be anywhere to be early the following day. Their dishes are served in large portions and are extremely affordable. Restaurants in Thailand with Great Views Bo.lan Found in Sukhumvit, Bangkok, the wonder couple Duangporn Songvisava and Dylan Jones promote the Thai heritage by creatively cooking tasty and delectable meals from fresh produce. The Bo.lan is well known for its Chao Pra Ya, a Thai spirit made from ginger, mandarin vodkas, sticky rice, and bitters. This is often taken alongside crisp chicken skin or pickles. Other exciting, topnotch, fun foods include pork ribs in a little peppery curry soup or chicken prepared in spicy turmeric soup. Meals at Bo.lan are not only adventurous but do tell a story about the Thai tradition in an exceptionally chic interior. It is easy to locate and the food is affordable. The restaurant obviously cares a lot about people’s different dietary needs as evidenced by their menus. Le Du Restaurant This culinary wonder is located in Silom, Bangkok, away from the hustle and bustle of busy roads. It allows you to have a meal in peace, quiet, and a stylish setting. Though it sounds French, it isn’t a French restaurant at all. It offers excellent Thai dishes in the most creative manner. Be ready to take your taste buds on a road trip with the restaurant’s innovative variations of traditional Thai dishes. You will also find a variety of intercontinental dishes prepared by chef Ton and his team. You need not worry about quality as chef Ton is

One of the most interesting places to visit on Phi Phi Island has to be Monkey Beach Thailand. You may also hear Monkey Beach referred to as its traditional Thai name which is Yong Gasem Bay or Ao Ling. Ao Ling is an exact Thai translation for Ling Ao, whereas Yong Gasem Bay is the area. It is also commonly called Monkey Island. This is an awesome break from the nightlife in Phuket. The Monkey Island Phuket Experience Monkey Island in Phuket is a small cove located on a peninsula on Koh Phi Phi Don, the larger of the two main Phi Phi Islands. This peninsula helps form part of Ton Sai Bay which is where the vast majority of boats coming and going from the busy tourist area of Phi Phi load and unload their guests. How to get to monkey beach Phi Phi Island Monkey Beach is accessible only by boat or Kayak from Phi Phi Don. There is no entrance for cars and an absence of roads leading to it. Our recommended method would be to book by tour boat, as the boat traffic levels are quite high in this area, in-experienced Kayakers may struggle with the constant wakes generated by boats, some of them being quite large and fast moving. The bay is quite a small area of sand and it can also get quite busy so it is best to head there in the morning before all the speedboats start arriving. You could also go later in the afternoon which may be a good idea as the friendly monkeys will be well fed by then and a little less aggressive. You are not allowed to feed the monkeys but sadly many people do. Unfortunately, you will find all sorts of scraps left over that people have taken to feed the monkeys on Monkey Beach.  As mutual lovers of our natural environment please help us care for it as if it was your own backyard. Monkey Island in Phuket – Once in a lifetime experience You may be wondering if it is worth all the effort in getting to Monkey Beach? We can assure you that it is but if you are scared of monkeys then it’s probably not advisable to paddle here on your own. In this case, it would be best to stay with a tour such as one of our Phi Phi Island tours.  Safety in numbers! Our Ultimate Phi Phi Sunrise tour has developed worldwide acclaim as a trusted high-quality tour out of Phuket.  Don’t take our word for it though. View what other travelers are saying about Simba on Trip Advisor.  No other tour boat company in all of Thailand has such a strong and consistent customer satisfaction profile as us. Book a Phuket boat tour for an unforgettable experience! Monkey Beach Thailand is the place to be for animal lovers If you’re an animal lover like me and visiting Phi Phi Islands on a tour out of Phuket, then Monkey Beach adds a great point of difference to the day. A break from marveling at the stunning geological formations or admiring the beautiful and frantically busy underwater ecosystems. We suggest viewing these guys from the safety of our boat. Watch this interesting troop of our cute little relatives go about their daily life in paradise. Monkey Beach Thailand – Who is it for? This destination is perfect for people who like to have fun whenever they are travelling and in the meantime, love seeing animals in their natural habitat! The nice and friendly monkeys can even have some human interaction. Take photos of the monkeys and keep the memory forever and also share it online! Not to mention the fact that you can do this while also admiring the horizon and the merge of nature and the blue crystal waters of the island. Monkey Facts The fascinating Long-Tailed Macaques clamber down the rock face to come and greet the boats and tourists, hoping to get something to eat. This species of Macaque is also known as the Crab-Eating Macaque as they are often seen foraging for crabs. This is actually a little misleading as this breed of monkey is actually about 80% reliant on fruit in their diet. So if you must feed these guys, then fruit is probably the least problematic to sustaining their foraging style of survival. Personally, these guys rank pretty highly on the cute scale of wildlife. They are one of the much smaller sub-species of Macaques so are a lot less intimidating than the larger bodied groups of Macaques you see throughout other parts of the world. Their youngest baby monkeys are incredibly cute at around the size of a small domestic kitten, at this age usually seen clinging to their Mum’s back or drinking milk.  While the adults’ bodies are the size of a large domestic cat or small to a medium-sized breed of dog such as a Pug. They predominantly socialize in groups of adult females and young monkeys.  I enjoy watching them interact with each other and enjoy the very human-like mannerisms they exude. Particularly the more active young monkeys, constantly clowning around until they drop!  As these guys are wild, there is no script to follow. On any given day you may see this family living in blissful harmony, whilst other days you may witness a dramatic power struggle developing amongst the maturing young males. Human Interaction The interactions with humans are always interesting viewing also.  In the human world, our social cues are very different to these primates. We all can’t help smiling and showing our pearly whites at our cute little furry friends. I personally find myself making eye-contact with them, only to have them abruptly look away.  In a Monkey’s world if I’m showing my teeth to someone that’s a sign of aggression, likewise making eye-contact. So they also must view us as similar creatures to themselves! You do need to be quite cautious about your belongings and the monkeys like to take anything they can