Paradise (Phuket)

Member Name: catawall

Product:	Phuket
Date:	21/11/00 (235 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: something for everyone

Disadvantages: parts are very commercial

Phuket is an island attatched to the mainland by a bridge & is a popular holiday destination for visitors to Thailand. The island has its own airport & is 1.5 hrs from Bankok by air.

The island is renowned for its long sandy beaches surrounded by the Adaman sea.

There are many delights for the visitor to discover, whatever your interest you are sure to find it here.

For nightlife & action there is Patong Beach with its variety of night clubs & bars, this area is very comercial, if you are looking for somewhere quieter there is Karon & Kata.

There are many diving ares around these waters & for those wishing to try this pastime for the first time there are many courses available starting at about £150.

Elephant trecking, a gibbon rehabilitation centre, butterfly garden & the aquarium should satisfy the nature lovers. Beware the zoo, true I don't know anywhere else you will get the chance to touch a tiger but the monkey show is sheer exploitation & the sight of elephants doing handstands enraged me.

For scenery Phangnga Bay is a splendid sight with towering limestone stacks rising out of the water & James Bond island or Ko Khao Phing Kan to give it its proper name remain a very popular excursion, accessable through the mangroves by longboat.

The Khao Phanom bencha National park is home to bears, boars & leopards as well as numerous species of birds.

Phuket town offers the cheapest shopping & also contains some wonderful archetecture. An annual vegetarian festival is held here.

Coconuts, pineapples, rubber, cashew nuts & bananas are amongt the many commodoties produced on the island.

Transportation is varied & cheap the local buses are an adventure & the prices of tuk-tuks have to be bargained for. You can hire one for a whole day at the cost of about £10.
Do not hire a motorcycle unless you know what you are doing, if you have an accident the local police will always sid
e with their countrymen & you will be held responsible for an accident whoevers fault it really was.

This island is a paradise for anyone.

Summary: