Phuket as a Couple…. Actually as 4

Here we are again. Two years after our first time in Phuket, we wanted to return to this wonderful island that had thrilled us so much. This time there are four of us. Our son and my brother-in-law joined us, for their first time, partly out of curiosity, partly to open a "warm" parenthesis on this freezing winter of ours… but mainly to see for themselves everything we'd been telling them about these places and above all about these people. The period we chose was the first two weeks of March and, frankly, I don't think we could have chosen better. Wonderful weather, temperatures from 36° to 38° (with a peak of 40°), but breezy and dry, and a sublime sea. After some thought about where to base ourselves, we opted for the previous spot, namely Karon Beach, and also for the same hotel, which, given the high season, offered us a good daily price.

This choice also proved spot-on, because Karon turned out to be a much quieter area than Patong or Kata, and the establishment confirmed its high quality standards for the rooms, the service (spotlessly clean), the breakfast (which never hurts) and all the staff involved. Two years on, we didn't find many changes on the island. Prices have stayed practically the same, both for sleeping (about 1000/1200 bath a day for room and breakfast), for eating (from 800 to 1200 bath for four, depending on whether you dined on meat, fish or their typical dishes like noodles with any dressing or pad thai), for beach life (200 bath for a parasol and two loungers) or scooter rental (200 bath a day with petrol at 30 bath a litre). Perhaps the one off note is that they're building a bit too much, especially near the beaches, but tourism, the primary source of income, unfortunately leads to this.

Although my wife and I were prepared for the welcome that Thailand, and Phuket in particular, offers, I must admit the emotional and climatic impact struck us positively once again; just imagine the two newcomers!!! After an initial, normal settling-in period, we thought about planning the holiday partly on our previous experience and very much by living day to day, in boxers, flip-flops, a cap and sunscreen (absolutely mandatory), the only "chore" being to think about which beach to go to and what to eat for dinner.....

it was hard work, but someone had to do it!!! So, on our scooters, we roamed the island as far and wide as possible, returning to beaches already known to us (Freedom Beach, YaNui Beach and Kata Noi above all) and discovering others for the first time, like Laem Sing Beach with its steep, numerous steps, passing through Surin up to those even further north like Bang Tao Beach or Nai Yang Beach, all however sharing the same common denominator: paradise beaches, crystal-clear water like an aquarium for the quantity and variety of fish, feasts of fruit dishes, watermelon shake and banana shake at lunch, and massages, lots of rejuvenating massages, a real cure-all, whose benefits linger even once back in Italy.

Naturally they say appetite comes with eating, and not content, so to speak, we decided to visit one of the many islands the archipelago offers, and this year we opted for the Phi Phi Islands. And it was precisely on this occasion that the two "novices" got first-hand experience of another cultural trait typical of the Thais: the art of always haggling, no matter what. After choosing a trip offering three different islands in one day, we indulged in this art, and after various offers from various information tours (you find one every 50 m), we snatched an incredible price, starting from a list price of 2800 bath and getting down to 1100 bath per person all included..... proud and satisfied with the deal, though well aware that this was probably the right price.

Aside from this exhausting but colourful effort (which would come in handy for the rest of the holiday, mainly during the various purchases), we must acknowledge the professionalism of the company organising the excursion: exceptional punctuality, perfect assistance, a spot-on itinerary (we practically landed on the most famous beaches like Maya Beach while there were still no tourists and set sail as they arrived), sufficient stop times in the various spots to do the related activities in peace (lunch included), all accompanied by the usual warmth and friendliness… a success. And in the evening you were spoiled for choice. You could stay in the Karon/Kata area for a softer evening, strolling among the stalls of the many little markets that come alive at night, then stop to dine wherever inspired you most.

Otherwise the alternative was to take a tuk-tuk (a typical means of transport) and for 300 bath have yourself taken to the chaotic, but beautiful precisely for that, Patong. I'd advise against going there by scooter, because, even though it's not far from Karon, the roads are a bit dark and uneven, the traffic very heavy, and with left-hand driving and maybe one beer too many you risk a little something. Patong at night must be experienced at least once, because it's unique. Fun and carefreeness in their purest form, especially on Bangla Road, a peculiar street because during the day it's the only road with right-hand driving (like back home) and in the evening it becomes fully pedestrian. Hundreds of little markets, shops, restaurants, music pubs of every kind, where the watchword is fun.

The most beautiful thing, however, remains enjoying the island freely, sometimes even without a set destination. Even though it's the most exploited by tourism, you still find unspoilt, genuine corners. Wherever you went you were left breathless by the beauty of the places, the beaches, the landscapes, the lush nature but above all by the simplicity and warmth of the people, never intrusive but always ready to help you with a natural kindness and respect, at times embarrassing for us Italians, used to being on the defensive in the face of anything.

You could get lost in the island's more inland areas and you'd always find someone to point you the way back, or, as happened to us, get a flat scooter tyre (they still have inner tubes), not know who to turn to for the repair and suddenly find yourself literally escorted by a mechanic who abandoned the job in hand to come to your rescue at once. This is what we found again for the second time and what my son and brother-in-law discovered for the first, seriously promising themselves that there'll be a second time for them too! For us probably a third, a fourth, a fifth, if not exactly in Phuket, then certainly in the Land of Smiles.