Who says you can't travel during the rainy season / low season? Not true!
Our southern seas are still as beautiful as ever, and you can still come and relax.
Plus, accommodation and tour prices are much cheaper than usual.
I just went to Phuket-Phang Nga for 4 days and 3 nights, and it was so good I had to tell you about it.
Information on where to eat, where to go, and expenses are included in this review. Let's go see!
Estimated expenses **per person**
1. Accommodation for 3 nights 2,840 baht (Hotel IKON Phuket 1 night 920 baht (1,840/room/night) + The Waters Khao Lak 2 nights 1920 baht (1,920/room/night)) 2. Boat trip to Phang Nga Bay, Samet Nangshee viewpoint, and Benyarat Antique Museum with Sea Angel 2,000 baht (Normally 3,200 baht, but if you go between December 2016 and May 2017, tell them you saw it on the Bliss Out There page and they'll reduce it to 2,000 baht. See the review for booking details.) 3. Snorkeling tour to the Similan Islands with WOW Andaman 3,000 baht (This price includes transportation, accommodation, pier, 3 meals, and insurance.) 4. Food costs, including small and large meals, desserts, and snacks, total around 500 baht. 5. Round-trip airfare from Bangkok to Phuket 3,000 baht. We booked through the Jetradar website, which gave us a better price because it finds cheap tickets from multiple airlines and sorts them for easy selection. Here's the link >> goo.gl/5duYVR Or you can download the app, which is available for both IOS and Android. **Total 11,845 baht / per person. It may seem expensive, but considering what you get for 4 days and 3 nights, it's not bad at all. If you're on a budget, we recommend going for 3 days and 2 nights and choosing one of the tours. As for this trip, let's see how worthwhile and enjoyable it is together: D**
We arrived at Phuket Airport around 10:30 AM. The most economical way to get from the airport to our accommodation is by Airport Bus. After exiting the passenger terminal, turn left and walk past the minimart. The bus stop is located there. The fare ranges from 100 to 180 baht depending on the distance. However, our hotel was off the main route, so we only paid 100 baht. We asked the staff to inform us where to disembark. We then took a shared taxi (songthaew) with a sign that read "Kata-Karon" and got off in front of 'Hotel IKON Phuket' for 35 baht.
Checking in and exploring the lobby at the same time.
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This hotel offers four types of rooms. We stayed in the IKON Ocean room. They currently have a 'Stay & Spa Package' promotion, which includes an IKON Ocean room and an OKA Signature hot stone massage for two people. You can book through their website for a special price. Here's the link: >> http://www.hotel-ikon.com/ Now, let's take a look at our room…
The interior design is simple yet elegant, with a focus on white, black, and gray. The bathroom follows the same aesthetic.
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This is the view from our room. : )
After sunbathing until the sun went down, we explored the common areas and went for a swim in the pool.
I personally like this hotel because it is not too big, but the space is well-organized, making it visually pleasing wherever you look.
IKON offers a spa and fitness center for guests to enjoy.
However, it was so hot on the day we visited that we only had time for the swimming pool. Haha!
After swimming, we were all famished. So we decided to wash up, change our clothes, and head out for dinner.
We walked along the road leading to the beach from the hotel and came across a Thai-Italian restaurant.
The restaurant looked clean and had a decent number of customers. We decided to give it a try.
After finishing our meal, we didn't waste any time and headed back to our accommodation. We have an early start tomorrow, as a van will be picking us up first thing in the morning. So, we'll get a good night's sleep and be ready to shake things up at Phang Nga Bay!
Wake up at 6:30 AM, eat breakfast at 7:00 AM, and the car will pick me up at 7:30 AM.
It takes about an hour and a half to get from my accommodation to the 'Benjawanrang Museum'.
This is a museum of history and antiques. It has everything from small items to large pieces of furniture, as well as replicas of old-fashioned barbershops, cafes, and cinemas. Admission is usually 30 baht for children and 50 baht for adults, but we didn't have to pay because it was included in our tour. We just had to walk around and enjoy it! Here's a link to the museum's page: http://bit.ly/28SmTT6
Although we have been here before, we are not bored because they have new items on display.
(This means old items that have just been brought out for display, not modern items.)
Plus, today we were lucky enough to meet the owner's son, who kindly explained everything to us.
Starting with the first piece... the deer antler, which really caught our eye.
He told us that the deer antler is one of the amulets that does not need to be chanted.
It helps protect against danger, and comes from a deer with a short antler. He said that a deer with this type of antler
cannot be shot or killed. It must die naturally.
Amazing!
Keep walking, keep walking.
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The first Kodak camera, wow!
Our elder brother told us that he intends to add another zone, which will be a collection of biographies, royal deeds, and portraits of King Rama IX, as well as related books for exhibition.
It is very interesting. I hope to see this zone next time. : )
This is a very old-fashioned bag, similar to a chest.
The owner said that many of the items on this shelf were donated by visitors.
They wanted to bring old items from their homes to display for the benefit of future generations.
If anyone has old items or good items that they would like to donate for educational purposes, please contact them.
Talking too much can make your throat dry. How about a cup of coffee?
The final zone is dedicated to military equipment and weaponry, including a fighter jet estimated to be worth tens of millions.
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After finishing the tour, we boarded a boat to the pier. Thank you again to the guide for explaining the stories behind the various artifacts. It was a fascinating experience. As the saying goes, if we don't cherish our own heritage, who will? Plan a visit with your friends and family next weekend! Before we knew it, we arrived at the 'Sea Angel' cruise ship. Let's grab some snacks first, shall we? Haha.
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As mentioned at the beginning of the review, the full price of this tour is 3,200 baht. If you plan to go between December 2016 and May 2017, mention that you came from the Bliss Out There page and they will reduce the price to 2,000 baht. This price includes transportation to and from the port, accommodation, lunch, and entrance fees to the museum and park. If you want to experience this kind of fun, it is recommended to book in advance by calling 076-220-832, 089-873-3814, 093-576-6985 or https://www.facebook.com/seaangelthailand/. I heard that the second floor and the roof deck have just been renovated. Let's take a look..
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After about half an hour from the pier, we arrived at 'Khao Ta Pu' (Ta Pu, not Ta Pu). Khao Ta Pu is so named because the rock that rises from the water resembles the eye of a crab. Large boats cannot enter here, so we had to transfer to a smaller boat.
Some people call this place James Bond Island because in 1974, the James Bond film The Man with The Golden Gun was filmed here. When the film was released, tourists from all over the world flocked to the island, and it remains a popular tourist destination today.
Next up is 'Khao Phing Kan', a natural work of art located on this very island.
Truly a sight to behold, perfect for capturing a memorable couple's photo.
A mild adventure.
After 40 minutes, the guide led us onto the boat.
It was time for lunch, and it was a buffet!
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The next activity is canoeing to explore 'Khao Phing Kan, Phang Nga Bay'. The name Khao Phing Kan comes from the alternating small and large mountains, creating caves and lagoons/blue lagoons. When you take a boat in, it's like being in a room here and there. But who will be the lucky one to have us as passengers?
Get your cameras ready, it's truly breathtaking.
Heading into the Blue Lagoon! Watch your head and keep your cameras dry!
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This is the most beautiful and peaceful room ever.
There is no electricity or wifi, but it's good for the soul.
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Time flies! Half an hour has passed in the blink of an eye.
Let's go back to the big boat and continue our journey!
The final destination of the day was the 'Sea Angel Viewpoint at Samet Nang Chee', a hidden gem in Phang Nga Province. From the pier, we took a van ride up to the viewpoint. Our guide informed us that it's not advisable to visit during heavy rain due to the steep road conditions. Fortunately, we had good weather, despite the slightly overcast sky, allowing us to enjoy the panoramic views and the surrounding mangrove forest. For more information about this location, please refer to the following link: http://travel.kapook.com/view142701.html
We ended the second day beautifully. After that, we took a car to the hotel, had dinner, and went to sleep!
We are staying at The Waters Khao Lak for tonight and tomorrow night.
There are 6 types of rooms in total. We are staying in the Waters Pool Access room, which has a balcony that leads directly to the pool.
The price includes breakfast and is around 1920 baht per night on Agoda.
Here is the hotel's website in case you are interested: >> http://www.thewaterskhaolak.com/The-Sleep/Waters-Pool-Access-Room/
By the time we arrived, it was already pitch dark outside, and the power was out.
Fortunately, our hotel has its own generator, so we can have dinner at the hotel restaurant tonight.
That way, we won't have to eat by candlelight in the dark. Haha!
The hotel's restaurant is called 'Amici'. In the morning, it serves a regular breakfast buffet.
However, after that, it becomes an Italian restaurant with a wide variety of dishes at affordable prices.
The menu ranges from 150-300 baht per dish (with a few dishes at 400 baht). Today, we ordered four dishes to share.
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The first dish was thinly sliced beef, drizzled with a sauce that tasted like tuna.
Followed by tender beef and lamb, melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
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Next up is the BBQ chicken, and the highlight is the sauce, which I don't know what it's called.
It's salty and sour, and it goes so well with the chicken.
A Sweet Ending
The meal concluded with a delightful dessert recommended by the staff. The top layer featured a combination of fresh fruits and rich chocolate, while the bottom consisted of a creamy pudding. The surface of the pudding boasted a delightful crispness from being torched, while the interior remained luxuriously smooth and fragrant.
The Reality of Tomorrow's Similan Diving Trip
We had planned to go diving at Similan tomorrow, but the tour operator called to inform us that a storm is expected, making it impossible to take the boat out. Our dreams were dashed, but the review isn't over yet!
We'll head back to our room for some rest tonight, and we'll see what tomorrow brings. Stay tuned for updates!
A Delicious Start to Day 3
Let's start the morning of Day 3 with some delicious food!
I'd like to have fried eggs, omelets, scrambled eggs, and fried eggs in a pan. Please tell this person.
It's a refreshing morning :3
Since there's nothing on the agenda today, I'm going to make the most of my time relaxing at the hotel.
I'm going to swim until I'm completely soaked and take photos until my hands are wrinkled. Let's start with this room.
It has both a Mac and a printer, and if anyone wants to work out, there's a fitness center available.
I personally love the accommodation. The blue and white theme is clear and beautiful.
It's a pity that the weather wasn't good, otherwise it would have been even more beautiful.
Another advantage of The Waters is its proximity to the beach, the evening market, restaurants, and the tsunami memorial.
The beach is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
The sand may not be white, but the waves are strong and fun to play in.
After walking for a while, our stomachs started to growl, so we walked out to the main road to find a simple restaurant to eat at. We stumbled upon this restaurant.
I'm sorry, I didn't take any pictures of the food because I was really hungry at the time.
The taste was average, but the portion size was a bit small. We ordered stir-fried basil with rice for 50 baht.
My friend had stir-fried instant noodles and fried rice for 60-70 baht. The prices are standard for a tourist area.
After we finished eating, we sat and chatted for a while before walking back to the monument.
Inside, there is a tsunami memorial and the patrol boat 813. This boat was on duty to provide security for Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, along with her sons and daughters, when the tsunami hit the Andaman coast. The boat was washed ashore about 2 kilometers east of the sea.
This location also houses a tsunami museum. The entrance fee is unclear, but interested parties can call for more information at 076-211-036 or 076-212-213.
Similan Islands Adventure: A Last-Minute Dream Come True
This evening, a craving for simple food struck us. We bought instant noodles, sausages, and fermented pork to cook ourselves at our accommodation. (We're on a budget, so don't judge!) We didn't take any pictures, but while we were eating, something inspired us to message 'WOW Andaman' tours again. We asked if we could go to Similan Islands tomorrow, wondering if the storm had passed since our flight wasn't until 9 pm. The reply was like a heavenly voice: "Yes, the car will pick you up at your accommodation at 7:30 am." It felt like a dream come true, as visiting Similan Islands was a major goal of this trip. Finally, we were going! We went to bed early, excited and prepared for the next day.
The next morning, the last of our trip, we had breakfast at the hotel, checked out, and the car from WOW Andaman picked us up. It took less than 30 minutes to get from the hotel to WOW's pier. Upon arrival, we signed in, filled out insurance forms, and then noticed they offered breakfast! Since we were already full, we went to leave our belongings in the luggage room and pick up our diving equipment in the next room.
The pier is truly spacious and clean, no exaggeration.
It's time to set sail! Today, we, the Thai people, are a minority.
Because on the whole boat, there are 4 Thais, 5 Chinese, and more than 10 Koreans.
At first, I was excited, but after sitting for a while, oh my god, the waves!
The waves are big + the wind is very strong, the boat is shaking violently.
I'm someone who loves the sea very much, but that day I couldn't take it anymore, it was so painful.
Pangpond (the guide) said that normally it takes 45 minutes from the pier to Similan, but today the waves are big, so we have to slow down.
That means we have to sit and shake like this for about 2 and a half hours.
My God, as soon as I arrived, I threw up, don't worry. I'm the weakest admin ever. T_T
Is it worth it to sit here until my butt hurts?
The water is crystal clear! The sky is so blue, it looks like something out of a cartoon. The sand is white and fine, making me forget all about my seasickness. Haha!
The guide gave us about 35 minutes to walk around and take pictures, and then we'll go snorkeling.
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Normally, if the weather is good, we can go diving at two spots.
However, today the weather is not good, so we can only go diving at one spot.
It's okay, the fish are beautiful and the water is clear.
I apologize to my friends that I didn't take any underwater photos, I only took videos.
If you want to see them, you can go to https://goo.gl/QNRE7z.
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We had 45 minutes of diving time. As the time was about to run out, it started to rain (as if it knew).
Let's go up! Let me tell you a little bit about the impression of the staff at WOW Andaman.
While we were diving, my flipper came off. It didn't sink to the bottom, but it didn't float up high enough for me to easily grab it.
One of the staff members dived down to pick up the flipper for me. Not only did they pick it up,
they also dived down to put the flipper back on for me. Huhuhuhu, if you're reading this, thank you again!
I'm so impressed <3 Let's go eat, guys.
After lunch, I took a shower, changed clothes, and relaxed for another half hour before it was time to board the boat.
Why does time fly by so fast? TT
I don't want to go back to the bumpy ride yet. Nooooooooooooooooo!
See you again when the weather is good, Similan.
From Similan, we headed to the WOW Andaman pier at a brisk pace.
The journey took about 30 minutes less than the trip there.
Upon arrival, we collected our belongings and headed straight for the food.
(I love that they provide three meals a day!) There was coffee, fruit juice, satay, papaya salad, green curry, and rice or noodles to choose from. Everything was delicious.
This concludes our beautiful rainy season trip to Phuket and Phang Nga.
After we were full, we got into the taxi that we had contacted in advance. (The phone number is provided for those who need it: Lek 082-281-3789)
Thank you, Thai sea, for never disappointing us, no matter what season it is.
We will definitely see you again : p
Thank you to everyone who followed and read until the end.
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That's all for today. Goodbye <3
Bliss Out There
Friday, September 27, 2024 10:43 AM