When I was trying to find parking for Tia in Karon yesterday, I turned a corner to see this gorgeous temple. I know there are temples everywhere on this island, but they always present to me a reason to pause. Each one is unique. None more beautiful than the next. This one in particular eased me in with the Buddhist chanting prayer. It is very rhythmically calming.
I’m taken back a bit by the contrast of the barefoot simplicity of the Buddhist monks wrapped in all orange togas vs their completely detailed, brightly colored, ornate temples. The temples in Phuket are the most decorative structures on the island. The best way I guess I can compare it is to the Catholic churches vs the priests garment. Why is it that in religion those that sacrifice all wealth to a higher power must dwell within the most elaborate display of it?
My childhood friend Debbie has been a pillar of encouragement for me over here. As I sit here and eat my potato chips longing for her sour cream dill dip to accompany them, I thought I would credit her for this post.
I have a tendency to be emotionally effected by weather and I thought Phuket’s rainy season was a joke. I personally love the empty beaches and just the occasional shower. Then it hit. Hard. Rain for days nonstop. I didn’t leave the condo for 3 solid days. Am very pleased that they installed a new 7/11 vending machine…..now if only it had beer!
Debbie’s daily Marco Polo video messages to me not only crack me up, but also encourage me when she sees I’m not myself. She may not even know she does it, but it comes naturally in her sarcastic humor where all she wants is money, to eat what she wants and to be thin. I mean, who doesn’t?! (I hope she doesn’t mind my sharing that….because I agree!) Well recently she scolded me to get out. And I know she is right. I sink in rabbit holes of self absorbed thinking when I don’t get out and explore this beautiful island I landed on. So this post is for her! My thanks for always being there for me!
Traveled on Tia for 35 minutes to my old stomping grounds of Karon Beach.
It had been pouring all night and the rain stopped at about 2. I have never seen the waves so treacherous!!!
Seriously HUGE!
But the tourists were still tempting their fate.
My beloved black flip flops.
A local Thai holding onto the danger no swimming flag as he mystifyingly looks at the crowd swimming.
The parasail guys were getting a work out just trying to hold on to their chutes.
Check out the bamboo flag pole. True Thai!!
The reason I chose to come here was for a 4.5 rated restaurant. It did not disappoint! After sitting and listening to a podcast while watching the waves crash, I went across the street to get a back massage to ease the pain from working at a computer last week. (I’m so spoiled!) Reality is it was only 15$ so why not?
It helped kill time before I tackled dinner with a Maitai.
Love the glass eh?
After dinner and a massage it was now time to catch the sunset! I was so excited. The shots were gorgeous even though the clouds blocked the final setting.
I love how the trees darken in photos at sunset. Such a beautiful contrast.
Postcard worthy.
I was sitting up on a roundabout ledge when I took this photo. I jumped down to show the couple I captured to ask if they wanted the photo. I airdropped it to them. It was an amazing moment captured. I would’ve wanted it if it were me! But then again, it was a tad stalker like eh?
I love how every minute the sky changes and the colors and shots look different. Makes it difficult to choose which ones to share.
I love it here.
Beaches had a lot of people out tonight. I think I wasn’t the only one that ran out to appreciate the day available!
Jets skis looking lonely on the beach.
Selfie letting you know I am alive and well.
I shared the last ten minutes of this view with Tiffani as she drove into work. As I was doing that a rat ran across my toes (I KID YOU NOT) and went into a tree! Sort of like our squirrels. But I can honestly say, it did not ruin this last shot which was by far the best!
The vehicles you find on the roadways here is a constant form of entertainment. I’ve been collecting photos to try to explain the variety of what you may find here while driving. So different from what we are used to seeing. I imagine the most interesting thing in the US would be the occasional Amish horse and buggy. But here, anything with or without a motor goes. And lanes are just guidelines. Everyone simply takes them as suggestions.
Driving Tia, my beloved used scooter, has given me such insight to the fact that chaos actually works. Traffic here would be a thousand times worse if the scooters had to follow all the same rules as the cars, or if cars were forced to stay in their lanes. I have occasionally driven Tia on sidewalks following the others as they maneuver in and out.
There is a place designated up front at a red light for scooters to gather. They expect scooters to make their way to the front and not be mixed in with the cars at the turn of the traffic signal. The cars understand this and accept it. On google maps there is even a scooter transportation option, because that would be a different time to your destination vs a car. All so entertaining to me.
These are called TukTuks. They are fun cabs where you ride in the open back part. There are usually loud speakers blasting music and flashing lights in the back. Notice the cute michelin men on top. Tuk tuks run on similar motors as scooters and struggle up and down the hills.
This is a local bus. They tend to be very slow but are also only about 1$ to ride.
A favorite for locals and European tourists.
Yep there are insane bicyclists here. They share the roads with everyone else. As if we don’t have enough to keep our eyes looking out for! These guys are insane or have a death wish or both.
Scooters rule the roads! Interestingly children are not required to wear helmets. Adults are but about 50% of them do.
I think the max is 5 people I have seen on the motor scooters. The most frightening thing is when they are holding infants. Freaks me out every time. The other scary thing about scooters is when they drive down the wrong side of the roads. It makes my heart jump . But I have to admit I have done it a time or two.
Yep why not? A tractor pulling a jet ski. Check out the guy o the back riding along.
Scooters with side cars are the best. They can be piled high like this one or be filled with children riding home from school! Or an entire kitchen as I showed in previous posts!
Mega buses filled with Chinese tourists are by far the most frightening to drive Tia beside. These guys are the beasts of the roads and have no mercy.
Truck loaded with you name it! ANYTHING. But during rush hour it’s mostly just filled to the max with standing workers. You can imagine being behind something like this, where debris is flying off at you. I can’t imagine riding without a helmet or even a helmet without a face mask.
Elephants are the best!
What I have learned driving here is patience. Everyone is chill. Nobody is cutting you off, or honking their horns. (unless there’s a Buddhist temple in which they are just asking the spirits for safe passage) I have seen elephants, goats, large lizards, chickens and many dogs in the roads. But no small animals of any sort which is odd. No road kill like you find in The States.
I never thought I could drive on the opposite side of the road or drive a scooter on the highways. It just goes to show you, you don’t know until you try. I am having a blast discovering new things about myself living in Phuket.
Last day with Traci. So sad. Thank goodness I saved the Big Buddha for last, because climbing those mountainous curves with Traci on the scooter would have sent her over the edge had I ventured any sooner. We even did a pit stop at a half way point to visit the Wat Chaithararam Temple for a moment. I know I’ve blogged about that before so I’ll spare you repeat photos.
Traci in the midst of sunflowers.
The landscaping at Wat Chaithararam is so well kept.
Traci got the balls to take photos while on the back! Dare devil!
Just one of Traci’s road shots.
Some of the road side cafes on the way up.
I feel so badly for these elephants. They are chained up and you can tell are unhappy.
Baby chained up. I wish this could be unlawful. Heartbreaking.
The Big Buddha. Giving it perspective with the people climbing the stairs up.
A close up view.
The backside. You can actually walk through the Buddha. A lot of construction going on around this big guy but they don’t even put up any ropes to keep you out. All at your own risk here. Monks were singing in unison inside. Their voices echoed and it could’ve put me into a trance.
View from the top.
Incredible.
Wishing leaves on the bell.
The roots of these trees are amazing.
Not quite sure what this was. One of many gold figurines. One of these days I’ll get a tour guide to better understand this religion. They were putting coins into 32 bowls for good health of their 32 organs. Lots of cool observations here.
We were looking for a show close by given Traci’s dislike for the scooter and our lack of motivation to be too active today. The cabaret shows all had terrible reviews. We were thinking we could look past it, but then found a show that had a 4.5 review and was right around the corner. It’s a classic traditional show tying the culture and history of Thailand together. We really didn’t know what to expect.
Seriously was spectacular. Best way to describe it would be a Cirque de Soleil type show with activity everywhere and constant scenery changes. Talent of the dancers were not that impressive but the costumes and creativity were better than a Broadway hit in my opinion. A river even appeared, deep enough for an actor to jump into. It even poured down rain in the theater. No photos were allowed at the show sadly because I was dying to capture it.
They mimicked hell and heaven in such a way you felt it. I can’t begin to explain. Just beautifully done. So glad I went. Outside of the theater was an outdoor park to walk around with Thai shops which Traci closed down after the show while making purchasing decisions.
Outside the show was this beautiful dragon fountain.
Behind the show was a pond with radiating lights on the foliage. Serene. A beautiful evening.Displaying royalty.
Looking her glamorous self!
Check out the size of these guys!
Mural inside the theater.
After the show the actors were outside so we were able to take a few photos showing their costumes!
I was chosen from the audience to put a floating lotus into the river. I said a quick prayer to my mom and dad thanking them for my opportunity to experience Thailand. Giving them credit for the freedom they left me and independence they raised me under.
Loving these! The tops are all beaded.
Their feathers lit up also. I would love to see this show again. There were so many artistic moments.
Part of the village outside.
Traci thought it was pointless to take off her helmet so she went to the ATM and into 7/11 wearing it. She was cracking me up.
It’s so much more fun having a partner in crime to party with here. Love having Traci out for a visit. Such a trooper travelling half way around the world to see me! I took full advantage of having someone to drink with and against her better judgement we adventured down the infamous Bangla Road in Patong after the clouds interrupted our Friday night sunset view.
Went in to watch this band rock it out. We were dancing in our chairs.
I’ve always wanted to go into this place, to see what it was about. Girls are dancing by the poles but honestly look bored to death. Then out came an acrobat who did some amazing acts using a ring hanging from the ceiling. Traci just kept saying, what if that was your daughter up there dancing.
We jumped in a tuk tuk as it started to rain and headed home. I thought Traci was going to fall out of the back when we were going up the sharp hills and curves.
So photogenic.
Needless to say, we slept in very late after that Patong adventure. Saturday night I was dragging her out again to the Half Moon Paradise Beach party. I bought tickets in advance. Not sure what they included but ended up with 4 free drinks, a token neon tee and a locker to put our purses in.
Zoe and Sedona would love this type of party. I think Traci and I were a tad out of the age group there, but nonetheless danced and rocked it out with the best of them! Such an international group. I literally had to turn my back on an arrogant Saudi guy who wasn’t used to a woman telling him to fuck off. I know way too much now about the Saudi culture from my Cambly conversations. This guy studied in Dayton, Ohio- or possibly lied about that to engage in conversation.
People were lined up to get body painted in neon to match their tees.
Was a beautiful night. There were staff members guarding the beach, making sure no one went for a swim.
Okay check out this dude from Jersey Shore! He was such a character! I think he was from Dubai. Guido at its finest. By the end of the night his shirt was off. He was wearing short shorts trimmed in contract color like the style from the 70’s. You couldn’t create this character if you tried. I had to snap a photo. I felt like he was missing a gold chain.
Their mixed drinks were poured into buckets that you drank from. Traci saw the staff members digging them out of the trash. You can’t un-see that. But let’s just hope they rinse them out before reuse. Hers looked pretty worn.
Palms were even lit up in neon.
They had devil nurses selling shots.
And equal rights is alive here with male dancers as well as female. Yes please!
Toes in the sand, drink in the hand.
Selfie shot. Having a blast.
Then they started a fire show.
Honestly I did not want to get that close. We could feel the heat from way back! And I’m pretty sure they don’t have regulations and safety standards in place.
Guess it was actually a half moon party. Was pretty cool when they lit this sign up.
They had different DJs rotate throughout the night.
Traci wrote my name in the sand. Think we were getting tipsy at this point.
As soon as we got to load onto the bus to take us back, it started to pour down rain! The bus was totally rowdy and they were singing Jingle Bells. I guess because it’s the only universal song all these different people knew? So cool how people find ways to communicate and find similarities when language is a barrier.
We walked in the rain to find a tuk tuk home and of course had to stop in for one more drink. (Truth be known I had to pee.) This guitar player literally was flipping amazing!!! People from the audience were bowing to him. He deserved it.
I honesty was so glad to listen to him play. He was so nonchalant about it too. A true artist. I love when my night ends with unexpected bonuses.
Sunshine Cokecoke hooked Traci and I up on a private long-tail boat to check out the famous Phang Nga Islands. Was an overcast day. Our boat broke down- but no complaints. It was stunning! I have so many photos to share. It was extremely relaxing and worth the extra $ to go privately and not with a big group. Although Traci HATES being on the scooter and we had to drive 35 minutes some parts in heavy traffic, to get to the port. She asked how much it was to rent a car, “just curious- she said 🙂 She had a pina colada before hopping on the ride back.
Doesn’t get better than this, really.
This was part of the James Bond Island. We decided not to get off and fight the crowds. We just drove around to view it.
The rocks are seriously fascinating. The way they drip into formation and all are colored differently. The waters close to the rock read green from the limestone.
This is Sunshine.
Abandoned ship. Not sure why they keep it there. Tried to google search it, but no luck.
We were able to get quite close because we were on a smaller boat.
Our captain, Mr. Poo. Check out that small beach behind him. I told the captain he could drop me off there when my boyfriend visits. Not sure where we would end up if the tide came in 🙂
We gracefully hopped off our long- tail boat and boarded a canoe. The guide rowed us into the most beautiful caves where we literally had to lay down on the canoe to squeeze through.
This view as looking up.
These are the caves we would go into.
Here I was trying to capture the magnitude of the rocks by taking a photo with the canoes. Can you even see the canoes.
The best adventure.
You never knew what you would see on the other side once you came out.
I tried to reach out and keep one of the rocks from clipping my head and the guide kindly told me not to touch them, explaining that they were very sharp. He told me “he’s got this”- meaning not to question his canoeing skills.
So amazing once you come out into a different landscape.
Yes we squeezed through that hole.
There is nothing like this that I know of in The States.
Another view looking up. LOVE was everywhere.
This rock formation looked like a fish. I now know why they use this fish motif on tee shirts etc.
Heading back. You can tell by our boat’s spirit ties that we are now on a new one.
Typical to Phuket, the clouds drifted and the blue skies surfaced.
Mr B the man in charge of the long-tail boats we were on. They drove the boat right up into the sand and we got off. Ended up being such a gorgeous day!!!
We ended the night watching the sunset.
We both got a little sunburnt.
Such a great night. Didn’t end here either. I dragged her ass out to Bangla Road in Patong. (Had to explain the pingpong show to her) But will save that for another blog or combine it with my full moon party report. Heading there tonight. Goes from 7 pm til 4 am at Paradise Beach!! Doubt we will make it past midnight but planning a nap today to muster up the energy.
Guess what!? Traci and I found a new beach! And being that we were both a tad hungover, we named it Hangover Beach. Discovered it walking around a rocky area where the locals were fishing. This new beach was exclusive with even a Playboy private home on it, made out of gold. There were couples eating in make shift tee pees on the beach. Was truly beautiful.
Traci took this photo of me driving as we were stopped at a light. She hates being on the back but is dealing with it 🙂
We had lunch on the beach! Traci had a mango cocktail.
Gorgeous Traci , she’s so damn photogenic!
Our view.
We walked around these rocks. Traci was fascinated by the markings on them. Fun to watch her curiosity.
View of the place where we ate from the rocks we were climbing around.
Check out the mountain we maneuvered around.
Our selfie.
Getting to the other side.
Hangover Beach! Isn’t it beautiful!?
The Playboy Estate. I imagine if walls could talk.
It was a nice night out so I convinced Traci to check out the Chilva Market. Being the adventurous eater, I knew she would get a kick out of some of the street food here.
Look at this meal cooking!
This is what it ended up looking like . It’s so pretty!
You know you’ve missed a friend when you are up til 3:30 am the first day and 4:30 am the next talking, laughing and drinking!! Is so great having her here!!
She is so adventurous with food. One of my downfalls. She’s determined to try durian, the king’s fruit, which smells like feet. I am NOT thinking I will partake. She convinced me to go into this restaurant that was packed with locals. I was a bit nervous. I had no idea how to order and nobody spoke English. I think she was trying to pay me back for making her hike 30 minutes up a steep incline to Monkey Hill earlier that day.
Shows how high up we climbed. They wouldn’t let you drive the scooter.
Another Monkey Hill view on the walk up., a glance at the sea.
Finally arrived at the top where the monkeys just roam around. I literally saw one monkey with his hand up another monkey’s ass. I was so entertained! Traci was getting nervous when I was trying to take the photo of the baby one with the banana. She kept telling me the mom was coming and wasn’t happy with me getting so close.
Traci test driving Tia. It was harder than she thought. I ended up taking Min’s scooter that I rented with Traci on the back – was an adventure to say the least! It started raining with no end in sight, so we got soaked on the way home from dinner. We tried to wait it out sipping on a margarita, but no luck. Had to just go for it and submit to the elements.
The restaurant where you cook your own food at the table. Guess it’s called ‘hot pot’? You pick the broth flavors and they fill the pot up half and half. Traci picked a Korean spiced broth, which I couldn’t touch! Was so flipping spicy. My favorite part was the coconut ice cream 🙂
I asked for mixed vegetables and got what looked like a garden. The white things are mushrooms which I hated. Were so rubbery. Let’s just say I ate a lot of corn.
We ended up in Phuket Town where I discovered new street art again. So glad I started my tonyatakesthailand art Instagram! I have a feeling I will never run out of material for it.
Perfect ending thought for the day. Goes hand in hand with the yacht I purchased on Monday 🙂
After visiting the pier and getting some local gas, Tia and I set out to see the yachts kept at the marina here. They did not disappoint once I found them. I had a hard time figuring out how to get into the marina. I kept driving in circles until the guard told me to park and pointed to the path beside what looked like a condominium complex.
I had such a fun day today with the Thai people. I think because I was in an area where not a lot of tourists go. So people would smile and bow at me, and even honk their horns playfully to say hi”. Was fun. Joyful.
Behind the condo complex appeared a beautiful pier.
Trying to capture the clear etched sign which had a constant flow of serene water that went over top.
The bikes give the boat’s size perspective. I walked around as if heading to my yacht.
Found it!
I posted this one on Instagram, it’s just so pretty.
This was the view off one of the piers. In the distance are rock formations in the middle of the sea used in the filming of one of the James Bond movies. My Zoe told me it looks like The Goonies too.
I sat down to have a virgin sunrise before I took off. This was my view from the table.
Was refreshing but processed juices which was disappointing. I forgot my sunscreen again. Was turning a tad red so needed some shade. Thank goodness I always pack a cardigan so when I’m on the scooter my arms are protected.
After the marina I headed down a very well paved, virtually deserted road up and down the mountain with sharp turns. I tried to capture it in a Marco Polo to Tiffani, but not sure if it recorded. Was unreal. In the middle of the jungle. At one point going up a steep incline I had to lay with my stomach on the seat- forward, and kick my feet behind me to help Tia make it up. I swear if there were cameras for my life!!!
I stopped several times since I doubted I would ever be back up here. Had to capture this monster dinosaur sized plant.
Giving it proportion. Loving my ring still Teresa !!!
On top of the mountain I snapped this shot through the trees.
Drove down a dirt road, because I could and discovered a few abandoned ships. The colors I love here.
Made it to the viewpoint. When I pulled over, I could hear the crackling of the crabs walking below on the rocks. Was surreal. Would be a crazy sound to hear in the dark.
Tonya Takes Thailand 