Readme before you journey
Phuket: The Pearl of the Andaman Sea
Phuket, a southern Thai province nestled within the Andaman Sea, boasts stunning island landscapes and crystal-clear waters. Renowned for its world-class beaches and lush natural beauty, Phuket attracts both domestic and international tourists seeking a tropical paradise.
The island's pristine beaches, consistently ranked among the world's best, offer a haven for relaxation and adventure. From the vibrant shores of Patong to the secluded coves of Phi Phi Island, Phuket caters to every beach lover's desire.
Beyond its captivating coastline, Phuket's verdant interior unveils a tapestry of untouched rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and hidden caves. This abundance of natural wonders has earned Phuket the well-deserved title of "Pearl of the Andaman Sea."
This time, Single Travel to Be Strong had the opportunity to travel and experience the sea breeze at Kata Beach, stopping by Promthep Cape, another important landmark in Phuket. They also walked through the old town to see the Sino-Portuguese style buildings and did not miss the opportunity to pay respects to Luang Pho Chaem at Wat Chaithararam, or Wat Chalong, the temple of Phuket. With both sea and old town exploration, this trip made the holiday even more special.
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DAY 1
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Image of a woman standing on a mountaintop, looking out at a vast landscape.
For this trip, I chose to fly with Bangkok Airways on flight PG271, departing at 8:05 AM and arriving at 9:30 AM. I arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 5:30 AM, checked in, and immediately headed to the airline's lounge (I was secretly looking forward to trying the legendary sticky rice with pork filling). After enjoying a light snack, I went to wait at the gate. The flight departed on time, and when it was time to board, the airline called passengers by zone.
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I will not review the airline in detail. Upon boarding, cold towels were distributed. After reaching cruising altitude, a hot meal was served. Today's meal was shrimp congee, which tasted good but was a small portion. Fresh fruit and bottled water were also provided. Tea, coffee, and orange juice were available upon request. Upon arrival at Phuket Airport (I did not take any photos during this time due to the large crowds), I exited the airport and turned left. I saw an orange shuttle bus that travels to Phuket Town. The fare was 100 baht, and the final stop was the Old Bus Terminal.
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Take the bus to the terminal station. When you arrive at the bus terminal, follow the map (you can also take a motorcycle taxi). There are many food stalls along the way, but I was too full to eat. Walk to the end of Phang Nga Road and turn left. You will see a roundabout. Walk towards the roundabout and turn right. You will find the fresh market on Ranong Road. Walk a little further, before reaching 7/11, you will find the Pothong parking lot that will take you to Kata Beach. Pothong is a local bus in Phuket. There are many routes to choose from and the price varies. The fare to Kata Beach is 50 baht. You can get on and off at any point. Once a certain number of people get on the bus, it will depart. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes. The route is a bit hilly, but not too scary.
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The bus will pass Karon Beach first. Those who stay in that area can get off there. The final stop is in front of Karon Municipality Office at Kata Beach. (Get on the bus at this stop for the return trip.)
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Upon reaching Kata Beach, the crystal-clear turquoise water was breathtaking. Stepping onto the shore felt like entering a foreign land, with a multitude of foreigners sunbathing and engaging in various activities. Notably, the absence of Thai individuals was striking.
After a short walk, it was time to check in. I headed to the hotel, but it's important to note that Kata Beach and many hotels are not directly on the beach, meaning you can't just walk out and run around. Club Med has taken over the beachfront. If you have a bit more budget, I recommend Kata Beach Resort. It's located on the corner near the Pothong bus stop, and you can walk directly from the hotel to the beach. Plus, they have a restaurant with a stunning ocean view where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
The Blue Pearl Kata Beach
I booked The Blue Pearl Kata Hotel through Agoda for less than 1,000 baht. The hotel is located in a small alley, but there are no other hotels in the alley, so it is not crowded. There is a Pizza Company at the entrance of the alley, and a 7/11 in the next alley. There is a small path along a small canal to the beach, which is very convenient.
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Upon arrival, the lobby is directly accessible through the entrance. The interior design is remarkably stylish, featuring a blue color scheme that aligns with the hotel's name. Check-in requires only a national identification card. Guests can request motorbike rentals from the staff, who will arrange the service for a daily fee of 300 baht. As an avid motorbike enthusiast, I opted to rent one. The motorbike was in good condition, but it was not provided with fuel. I had to find a gas station later (there were none in the immediate vicinity). I had to ride back towards the Chalong intersection (which was part of my plan to visit Laem Phromthep), so I had to find a gas station along the way.
Everything is blue, beautifully decorated according to the story. It's cool, stylish, and chic. It smells like a seaside resort, even though the hotel is not located directly on the beach. (But I won't rate it yet because I need to go inside first, right?)
Upon entering, I was initially stunned by the excellent condition of the room. Everything was perfect and well worth the price. The room was fully equipped with all necessary amenities (I would rate it a full five stars). During my stay, I found the hotel to be remarkably quiet, with no noise disturbances. The hotel also has a restaurant, where you can either dine in or order room service.
Image of a woman standing on a mountaintop, with her arms outstretched.
The rooftop has a swimming pool. You can relax and swim there. Anyway, I won't be admiring the hotel for long, I have to go to Laem Phromthep next.
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To reach Laem Phromthep from Kata Road, ride your motorbike towards Kata Noi Beach. After leaving your hotel, you will encounter a fork in the road. Turn left, which will lead you uphill (if unsure, look for road number 4233). Continue riding until you reach a convenience store selling gasoline. Fill up here, as there are no gas stations in the vicinity. Most convenience stores sell gasoline, which may be slightly more expensive than at gas stations, but the difference is not significant. The price difference is usually within 5 baht (30 baht per liter bottle).
A photograph of a woman standing on a rocky beach, with the ocean and mountains in the background.
The route is not dangerous, there are some curves and slopes. Drive carefully and don't be reckless, you will arrive at Laem Phromthep soon.
Looking left and right, taking pictures as we went, we encountered a large group of Chinese tourists. We decided to turn back due to the large number of people. There were souvenir shops, water and snack vendors, but the prices seemed high, so we decided to stop by a convenience store later. We continued on to Yai Nui Beach.
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I rode back the same way and arrived at Yanyui Beach, which was only one kilometer away. I don't remember if the wind turbine was in this area, but I didn't stop by.
Image of a woman standing on a mountaintop, overlooking a valley.
After taking photos for a while, there was a pre-wedding photoshoot (as if they were chasing us away), so we went to Nai Han Beach. This beach is not very crowded. There are shops, but when I went, they were not open. There was only one shop open. It was quiet. I don't know if there is any accommodation, but if there is, it must be very private.
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Ride back on the same road towards Nai Han Beach. It's not far. A simple way to identify it is: if you ride for a while and see a large reservoir-like body of water, that's Nai Han Beach. Just ride alongside the reservoir.
A: This beach is less crowded than Kata and Karon, but it has a few restaurants and massage parlors. It's a good place to relax if you're looking for a quieter beach experience.
A photograph of a woman standing on a mountaintop, with her arms outstretched and her back to the camera. The woman is wearing a backpack and hiking boots. The view from the mountaintop is of a vast valley below, with mountains in the distance. The sky is blue and there are white clouds in the distance.
Ride back the same way to go to the Three Bays Viewpoint.
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The viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the three bays: Kata Beach (top), Kata Noi Beach (bottom), and Karon Beach (center). It is located on a hilltop, providing a stunning perspective of the coastline.
Image of a Woman Hiking in the Mountains
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Turning back, we see Route 4233 that leads us to Laem Phromthep. Notice how the road is wide and well-maintained, making for a smooth driving experience.
A photograph of a woman standing on a beach, with her back to the camera. She is wearing a bikini and sunglasses, and her hair is blowing in the wind. The ocean is in the background, and the sky is blue.
Turning back, it was still the three bays. It was already evening, so let's go back to Kata Beach and watch the sunset.
The first day is over, and I'm not even tired yet. As you can see, I didn't eat rice all day today. I was too busy sightseeing, so I only ate food from 7-Eleven. After watching the sunset, I went looking for food. I went to every district, the night bazaar, the night market. Most of the restaurants sell Western food, and the prices are tourist prices. In my artistic spirit, I didn't want to eat Western food, so I tried to find Southern food to eat (would there be any at this time?). But then, as if heaven had heard my prayers, ...
The image depicts a group of people standing in front of a large building. The building appears to be a hotel or resort, and the people are dressed in casual clothing. The image is likely from a vacation or leisure trip.
Image of a woman standing on a mountaintop, with her arms outstretched, looking out at the view.
Seven Eleven sells rice with sour curry. It's delicious. I wish Bangkok had it too. Actually, there's another box of stir-fried curry, but I didn't buy it. Why would I buy two boxes when I'm traveling alone? Haha. That's the end of my trip for today. Kata Beach at night doesn't have any activities (or maybe it does, but on other days). But Nice Bazaar and the surrounding area are quite lively.
**Day 2**
Today I woke up early, at 7:00 AM. I actually thought about waking up to see the sunrise, but when I opened my eyes at around 5:30 AM, I remembered that the sun doesn't rise over the sea here. So I went back to sleep, haha! My plan for today is to go to the Chalong Bay Pier area, but I won't be taking any boat trips (our time is limited). I think I'll take some pictures of the view and the cool boats, and then head to Wat Chalong. I'll visit these two places before noon, and then I'll check out and head back to Phuket Town in the afternoon.
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From the map, we can easily take a shortcut via Route 4203. Imagine that Kata Road and Route 4203 are parallel. No matter which alley you take, you will end up here. Then drive towards the Chalong Five-Way Intersection. To put it simply, it's the same route we took from Phuket Town yesterday. If you're worried about getting lost, just follow the signs for Chalong Pier. The distance is 6.5 kilometers. The road is hilly, but not too steep or curvy. However, you must drive with extreme caution.
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We have arrived at Chalong Bay Pier, which serves as a departure point for various vessels traveling to nearby islands. These vessels include long-tail boats, yachts, and passenger ferries. However, due to time constraints, we were unable to embark on any excursions.
After enjoying the view for a while, we continued on to Wat Chalong.
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Leaving Chalong Pier, you will encounter the same roundabout. Turn right and follow Road 4021. You will see signs for Wat Chalong. The temple has parking available.
Upon reaching Wat Chalong, we were greeted by the friendly locals. Wat Chalong is considered the most beautiful temple in Phuket and is also a very old temple. Importantly, the locals told us that Luang Pho Chaem, the former abbot of Wat Chalong, was very sacred, making his name famous as far as Penang, Malaysia.
I rented a Buddha statue at a reasonable price. The temple was very peaceful, perhaps because I went early in the morning and there were few tourists. After admiring the beauty to my satisfaction, I checked out and went to the Pothong bus queue to return to Phuket Town.
An image of a woman standing on a mountaintop, with her arms outstretched, looking out at the view.
In case you forget, the car is parked in front of the municipal office. Or at Kata Beach Resort & Spa, you can get on the bus and wait. Once there are enough passengers, the bus will depart for Phuket Town.
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The car will park near the municipal market (you remember the way to Kata, right? We get on the bus here. If you don't remember, the driver will tell us. I don't remember either, the driver will tell us the way to the hotel). I stay near the old town, which is in this map. The car will park near the roundabout as shown in the picture.
As I walked, I was struck by an old building that stood tall in the city's historic commercial district. It was a Sino-Portuguese style building that seamlessly blended Western and Eastern art, creating a unique landmark of Phuket.
Strolling around, I found many new cafes and bakeries popping up, both chic and cool. Coming to Phuket, I couldn't resist trying the local food. This time, my trip wasn't focused on eating (we were really just sightseeing), but I still managed to enjoy some delicious local dishes.
Image of a woman standing on a mountaintop, looking out at the view.
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Hokkien noodles from Lok Tien restaurant are delicious, but I think they taste like stir-fried soy sauce. (We have crocodile tongues, so everything tastes good.)
Fresh spring rolls, I love them so much!
Image of a woman standing on a mountaintop, looking out at the view.
After a satisfying meal, we continued our exploration of the old town. Contrary to popular belief, the area is not just filled with historical buildings. It also boasts a vibrant street art scene, with stunning murals scattered across various tourist attractions.
Let's take some photos and check in. Phuket is a hot city, so it's a good idea to bring some bottled water with you. By the way, I recommend that you don't look for convenience stores in the old town area (or maybe we just didn't notice). You'll have to walk out of this area to find a 7/11. If you get thirsty often like me, it's a good idea to have some water with you because it's very, very, very hot.
I booked a room at 99 Oldtown Boutique Guesthouse, a guesthouse located in the old town area. The building is a renovated Sino-Portuguese style structure, divided into rooms for guests. The price is under 1,000 baht per night, including breakfast. The atmosphere is like staying at home, as the owner also lives in the building. There is no elevator, only wooden stairs. Guests are required to remove their shoes before going upstairs and to walk quietly. The interior is stylishly decorated, but it was too dark to take many pictures. The room is of a decent size, not too big or too small, and is clean and tidy with a vintage feel. The soundproofing is not very good, so it is important to keep noise levels down. The door closes at 6 pm (I think), but there is a key card for late-night access. When asked if there are ghosts, as it is an old building, the answer is no. However, I encountered something else that the building does have instead. (Curious, aren't you?)
The buildings in this area were beautifully lit in the evening, but it was incredibly quiet. At 7:30 PM, there was no one around. This could be because there was no night market on the day I was there, making the atmosphere extremely quiet, even lonely. However, I was determined to make the best of it, so I took a leisurely stroll, admiring the lights. Later that night, I returned to my accommodation.
I woke up early again today, as I had a flight in the late morning. So, I walked to the transportation station to catch the shuttle bus back to the airport. Oh, by the way, on the way to the (old) transportation station, there is a souvenir shop in the alley called "Methee." I stopped by and was surprised by the prices.
The most expensive item was the chili paste, which was priced at 100 baht for three jars. The employee informed us that this was not the correct price, as each jar should cost 1xx baht. Despite the confusion, we decided to purchase the chili paste as a gift for someone in Bangkok. The recipient later informed us that they found the chili paste, especially the dried fish and shrimp paste varieties, to be very delicious.
My trip ends here. It was my first real solo trip to Phuket, not for work, study, or a seminar. I am impressed by the sea in Phuket. Even without going to the islands, it looks so good. How beautiful it would be if I went to the islands! I promise that I will return to Phuket next time.
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