Part 3 : Phuket & and the returning

1330hours, show our tickets and received a stick-on-shirt as our boarding pass. The ferry was overloaded (bet those life jackets won't be enough for everyone). The seats look much like those R-type bucket seats unfortunately there was no empty seats left. We walked to the front, put down our bags and declared the territory as ours (sitting down on the floor, lazily between bags). Tinted glass helps a lot. Its a 4 level deck, top floor sitting area with no roof, a good opportunity for the white to get enough sun tan by the time reached Phuket. There is a small cafe without seating are, and they provide free hot water. We help ourselves, and make us a few cups of tea, oldtown hazelnut white coffee and cereal drinks.

You will need to make arrangement for the land transfer on board the ferry. As told, there is no public transport/tuk tuk for you to bargain as you reach the pier. My team manage to get a reasonable fare of THB1200 for a private minibus (the advantages of going in a big group) from the pier to our hostel located in Patong (about 30 minutes away). On the boat nothing much to see, unlike for that one in particular.

Our Patong Backpackers Hostel is located on a busy road, minutes walk to the famous Bangla Road and just a breath away from the beach. The building painted in green make it easy to recognized. Check-in and the lady at the counter was so kind with a very high sense of humor. The mgmt misunderstood my request. They gave a dorm with 10 beds on the 3rd floor instead of 6-bed dorm + 4-bed dorm. For the first night, we pretty much struggle a bit for certain reasons to settled in. However, the room comes with a view: the ocean!

Randomly choose where to go and 1st stop is the Hard Rock Cafe Phuket. The price here are way too much expensive that our own HRC (either KL or Penang). Had dinner in one of the arab restaurant (we are in Thailand, but having dinner in an authentic arab food!) By midnight, plenty of lady boy looking for good warm companion for the night. Very very pretty lady boy. One of the most famous stage show is the Simon Cabarets (more lady boys involve). However, the tickets were all sold out due to high demand during Chinese New Year holidays. Need to pre-booked earlier to get those tickets. Halal food is not easy to find here in Phuket. If you facing the ocean, walk to you right about 7 minutes and you'll find a good halal shop in the foodcourt on your left.

Thai massage for THB 250 perhour! Cant resist for that price. Warning, for those who never tried a Thai massage before, dont panicked! It take place in a private room. You will need to undress leaving only underwear, which specifically means UNDERWEAR. They'll give u a towel to wrap yourself. Massage with a fragrance Thai lotion. I fell asleep!! There was a part where they will twist you like a pretzel, and it actually feels good and refreshing. The end of the session, you will be served with a special herb tea.

To chartered a minibus from Phuket is not cheap (you have the choice to buy the tickets at a bargain price back in Koh Phi Phi). Most of the agency I've asked gave you a price not less than THB4000 per minivan. Asked a girl at the agency counter, and she advised to get a on bus towards Phuket bus station (mention this to the conductor bus, and the driver will drop you straight at the bus station) and buy the tickets there which is a lot more cheaper.

Regarding our room issue, it is solved! The boys moved down into another room and the girls remained. Later the room is filled with girls from Germany. We took the agency advised and waited for the wooden public bus. You can stop the bus anywhere you want, just waved from the sidewalks. The ticket cost THB35, but some of us managed to sneak away and get a free ride. Once again we are flocked by operators selling their tickets at our face. Bought a one way ride to Krabi for THB120. Nice comfy Toyota coaster, which seats 15 person. The minibus make a stop at their local R&R. A few food stalls and a big supermarket that practically sells everything. Bought a jar of honey for THB150.

Reached Krabi bus station and get a deal of THB350 (to hotel + morning pickup to Hatyai train station). Our final stops is at Howdy Relaxing Boutique Hotel. Big, comfy & nice budget room with no breakfast for less than THB500. Swimming pool with jacuzzi. It also have a free shuttle bus to Krabi town or the airport. The only thing is that the hotel was isolated, far from civilization.

Pickup was at 0730 hours and everyone managed to be on time. Another long ride to Hatyai. Slept through the way. In four hour time, we reached the Hatyai train station and our train is not departing till 1400hours. Went for early lunch at Log Terrace Restaurant. Have to agreed that Tomyam Kung is not suitable eaten at midday, especially when you are about to embarked on a long journey home. KTMB being punctual this time, and we are on our way back to Tanah Melayu.

Part 2: we swim, climb & hike

Part 1: doubletrouble to Thailand