Bangkok and Phuket: Useful Tips

- BANGKOK PHUKET... INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE I like to think of the trip I made with my friends in Thailand as a story full of ideas and suggestions for those who, like us, choose this country for a holiday.

BANGKOK: a city to take in small doses -The best period is from November to March with a simply perfect climate. -To get around it is always better to use taxis with the words "TAXI METER" that is with the meter (remember that the fares don't start from 0 but from 35 baht) or the very efficient sky train, running from 6 to 24. -The tuk tuks are characteristic but not cheap (a "revamped" Italian Ape) -The traffic lights are mostly numerical, that is they have a countdown for the change of colour. -There are some truly characteristic restaurants and usually you leave a small tip (we left from 30 to 70 baht) -Shopping in Bangkok is of different kinds: in shopping centres (for example MBK) or in open-air markets (PATPONG or PRATUNAM) where we noticed that the famous "art of haggling" typical of Asian countries is slowly disappearing...

-To visit Bangkok three days are enough: absolutely not to be missed the Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the Wat Po temple where the national school of Thai massage is based, with rules to respect: no drinking, no eating, no hats on the head, long trousers obligatory, never your back to the Buddha and in some you have to take off your shoes. Wat Phra Kaeo and Royal Palace entrance: 400 baht Wat Saket entrance: small offering Wat Suthat: 20 baht Wat Pho: 100 baht (a small bottle of water included in the ticket) Wat Arun: 50 baht An important help you can get from an Italian guy who lives in Bangkok and has a website: solimaibangkok.com where you will find all the possible tours for Bangkok and beyond.

-The Prathunam district, with its characteristic little market, opposite the Platinum Fashion Mall, here you find everything from clothes to knick-knacks to souvenirs, perfect for a little keepsake. The Siam district is the most youthful and westernised in the whole city, with fashion shops, (the Hard Rock Café is also here) vintage, in short, for all tastes. Chinatown, very characteristic, different from all the Chinatowns of other countries, a district where one of the largest Chinese communities in the world lives. Sukhumvit is by day one of the main business districts of the city, where most of the hotels are concentrated, while at night it is known for its high rate of prostitution. The Silom district with the Patpong market, "a bit of a tourist trap", definitely worth visiting at least once.

Thonburi, or rather the canals of Thonburi, one of the most fascinating places in the city, dozens of canals that intersect with houses/huts.. not to be missed!

PHUKET: AN IDEAL ISLAND FOR EVERYONE -High temperatures all year round, but the best period is between December and March (even though talking to local people they told us that this year was very rainy even in the good season) -The island offers the most varied and interesting activities including magnificent "elephant" rides, excursions to the Phi Phi islands (where the film THE Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio was shot) and every kind of water sport.

- To get around, the tuk tuks, unlike in Bangkok, are very cheap, or you can rent scooters at the price of 200 Thai baht a day, you don't need a licence but they will ask you for a photocopy of your passport -Not to be missed Phuket town with its typical little markets, Chinese and Buddhist temples, and a visit to the Big Buddha -The beaches are all wonderful, from where you can admire breathtaking sunsets: Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Patong Beach and Surin Beach. Patong Beach, sunbed in front of the sea 100 baht, fairly clean, very touristy. Raya Island, very beautiful and with a taxi boat (900 baht) we visited the three beaches on this island, little frequented by tourists. Kata Noi Beach, white sand, transparent water, one of our favourites.

Nai Harn Beach, family-style, quiet, shallow, with the particular lighthouse on a promontory from which you can admire a breathtaking landscape - There are restaurants for every need, where you can taste all the specialities of Thai cuisine (a lobster 1400 baht) -The hotel facilities are various, from bungalows at moderate costs to hotels of all categories -the centre of nightlife is at Patong Beach with the characteristic Bangla road, a bit "Rimini in August" but definitely worth seeing!!!

Thailand the land of smiles?... I'd say so!!!"