Phuket (Thailand) > Reviews > Rose tinted holidays in Phuket

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Family Friendly

Advantages:	Peace and lovely people
Disadvantages:	The seedy image that comes with it  -  but isnt the true face of Thailand (honest ! )

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I am writing to you about my experience of Thailand - not necessarily a fantastically informative travel account more the sprirtual journey I took. In order for me to do this I need to give you an idea of the type of person I was BEFORE I went, the nightmare we had getting there and just what happened to change my memory of this holiday to the rose tinted version I have stored for good in the dingy little room that is my memory.

Thailand was, for me, the place that makes me feel all warm and cosy when I think about it - you know the place that you want to re-visit because you felt so happy or content and everything takes on that silvery dreamy quality that accompanies the experience (which has probably been contorted from the actual reality!).

Ok. To start with I was 18 and a complete lunatic. I would try anything, couldn't sit still, laughed far too much and too loud to be allowed in libraries and was the bouyant little urchin that other peoples mums always tried to feed up and sort out. My serious side was broody and a bit destructive, and I couldn't quite manage to be anything but festive unless I was in a mood. And then I went to Thailand.

The travelling took hours and was one of the most strenuous ways to get on holiday I can think of but, thinking back, it only adds to the feeling that I embarked on a personality building journey. I travelled with my dad, step-mum, brother and sister and my nan and grandad met us out there (having followed the route that would have been preferred by any normal human being!). We were sat on a plane to Bankok for over 8 hours, chnged to an internal flight to Phuket, which added another 4 hours travelling and arrived to find out that we had no transfers. We took a rickety bus to the outskirts of the city where my dad threw his arms in the air and admitted that he hadn't booked a hotel for tonight, let alone the next 3 weeks! My dad was your eternal laid back hippy who thought that roughing it was good sole building stuff. Not what your average teenager is happy to go with. Finally after hours of searching we got a hotel for then night. The next day my dad did his throwing up of the arms and told us we couldn't afford to do the hotel thing at all and would have to move on and hope for a miracle. Not good. We took the local form of transport, called a tattoo I think, which is a tiny, open sided bus to the nearest beach area but away from the tourist track. This is when my holiday REALLY began.

We were lucky to find a small collection of beach huts and the 3 we hired costs us £9 a night (all together). The huts were a mere 15 paces from the softly lapping and invitingly clear sea and the sand, which stretched for miles, was that powdery white stuff you hear so much about but never actually get to see! I awoke the next morning to the sound of lapping waves and the local holy man chanting his morning prayers - it was like being born into a new world.

We began the day snorkelling through the clear waters and saw some amazing fish in all shapes, sizes and colours. The electric colours were addictive to see and we found ourelves snorkelling again and again through our stay. The family that owned the 5 beach huts and the cafe that accompanied it were so very accommodating, friendly and helpful that we couldn't believe our luck. But as time went on we found that this was the general quality of the Thai people. The owners son took me to a National park that was not widely visited and I sat by a natural woodland waterfall as butterflies the size of dinner plates floated around like miniature works of art and trees so delicate and beautiful I was in my element. We also went to an area that no tourist is likely to go - and we ate in a typical Thai restaurant where we took our shoes off and sat under woven grass topped dining areas. The food was better than any tourist area by far and the price was unbelievably reasonable. The family's friends would come by in the evening and shared Thai music and songs on the guitar or gave us Thai lessons.

The helper of the family (Ping) befriended us also and was most emphatic that we should travel to the Phi Phi Isalnds (where a James Bond movie was filmed)with her to visit her family. Along the way we saw a floating village which was made of wooden planks on the sea. The lifestyle and people were different here (although were still incredibly inviting and helpful), they ate highly salted meats that were really tasty. The contrast between land and sea dwellers was highly interesting and tackling the floating streets was really fun. Pings family cooked us food and we found the same hospitality again. The markets we visited were great for bartering and you could get some real bargains and some great souveneirs.

The major image of Thailand is that of seediness and the sex industry. But I urge you to look beyond this and go to areas not largely visited by tourists. After all, tourism is such a dominant part of Thai income the seedy parts only reflect the requirements of the tourist population that fund it. In fact I found that the Thai's we met - who were outside the city area were apalled, embarressed and ashamed of this part of their industry. If you go to Thailand and are befriended by someone please try things they suggest - they are not expecting hand outs from you (in my experience any way) and are genuinely interested in being hospitable and helpful. The food in restaurants is absolutely fantastic - a veritable feast of cultures, tastes and things to try - provided you eat at a clean establishment. Please do try visiting areas without tourists, it is more practical to go with a local, as you will find foods and items cheaper and probably of higher quality.

Needless to say, I left Thailand with a feeling of inner peace, I spoke more quietly and was happy to contemplate things more which in turn made me wiser. I felt less bitter towards people, having been surrounded by such happy and genuine Thai people, and would definately recommend a low key visit to people looking for peace and tranquility. I grew up a bit but without the bitterness that comes from losing your childhood, more with an acceptance of the nature of things. Very deep words for a holiday experience - but try it and you'll see why.