I'm going for 10 days in Nov for the first time. 2 days in Bangkok, 2 days in a treehouse up north, 3-4 days in Phuket, and back to Bangkok for a couple nights.
Any advice/recommendations are appreciated.
Any reason why you chose Phuket? When I was there it was lots o Russian dudes in speedos and meh beaches. Could have been anywhere. I was there to leave for a scuba trip, so it was unavoidable (and short). If you are looking for a beach retreat, I would go elsewhere.
When you are up north, rent a scooter and just cruise around the hills for a full day -- highlight of my time there. I was in Pai and rode to a town near the burmese border and back.
My lady has been to Thailand before but not Phuket so she really wants to check it out. She's big into diving. The scooters is def something we might do.
Patong is the main tourist area of Phuket, but there is a ton more to see on the Island. Most of the diving charters will be booked around there or around the coastal area of Chalong.
I was in Phuket for Songkran earlier this year. Patong during the day is kinda fun, lots of food vendors and bars to check out along the beach. Marinated skewers of chicken tails and dried/pressed squid... At night, it is meh-- sunburned russians and australians stumbling through crowded streets, junk vendors, sex bars and tourist BS.
Areas south of Patong are absolutely gorgeous, I stayed on the border between Karon and Kata for a few days. Kata has some great food and small hole-in-the-wall joints just off the main road that are definitely worth visiting.
Always ask for your som tam "thai spicy."
I also stayed more towards Cape Panwa for a few days in a very small converted-beach-luxury home that is now a hotel with 19 rooms (Cloud19Phuket.com). There isn't much of anything around there within walking distance-- a scooter is recommended or they can book you drivers for cheap flat rates (the drivers are also helpful in finding night markets and things to do in Phuket Town, which is pretty cool old city to explore.) "Mr. Man" was our repeat driver-- I think I still have his hilarious business card around somewhere.
Near the hotel there is a beach bar/restaurant about a 10 minute walk north along the beach. You can sit in a thatched roof bar right beside the small waves, have a few drinks and eat some really great and cheap Thai standards while watching the locals dig in the mudflats for clams as the tide recedes. Pretty great place. Thailand is rad.
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Patong is the main tourist area of Phuket, but there is a ton more to see on the Island. Most of the diving charters will be booked around there or around the coastal area of Chalong.
I was in Phuket for Songkran earlier this year. Patong during the day is kinda fun, lots of food vendors and bars to check out along the beach. Marinated skewers of chicken tails and dried/pressed squid... At night, it is meh-- sunburned russians and australians stumbling through crowded streets, junk vendors, sex bars and tourist BS.
Areas south of Patong are absolutely gorgeous, I stayed on the border between Karon and Kata for a few days. Kata has some great food and small hole-in-the-wall joints just off the main road that are definitely worth visiting.
Always ask for your som tam "thai spicy."
I also stayed more towards Cape Panwa for a few days in a very small converted-beach-luxury home that is now a hotel with 19 rooms (Cloud19Phuket.com). There isn't much of anything around there within walking distance-- a scooter is recommended or they can book you drivers for cheap flat rates (the drivers are also helpful in finding night markets and things to do in Phuket Town, which is pretty cool old city to explore.) "Mr. Man" was our repeat driver-- I think I still have his hilarious business card around somewhere.
Near the hotel there is a beach bar/restaurant about a 10 minute walk north along the beach. You can sit in a thatched roof bar right beside the small waves, have a few drinks and eat some really great and cheap Thai standards while watching the locals dig in the mudflats for clams as the tide recedes. Pretty great place. Thailand is rad.
http://khunnarin.bandcamp.com/releases
I was trying to find this thread to post that very link. It's really good too.
COPPED. E-NEEDLE DROPPED. NOW I'M GROOVING.
THANK YOU!