Jamie's PhuketJamie's PhuketJamie has lived in Phuket for 7 years. Some hints, recommendations, ideas and information about the real Phuket. Articles
Get Social with Jamie's Phuket
2008-07-14 12:27:00 Jamie's Phuket on FacebookNow I admit to not being totally up to date with all the latest web crazes, there just seem to be so many social networking websites it's hard to keep up. I joined Facebook a while back and spent some time wondering "now what?". So I dug around, found some old friends and some current friends, played a few of the quizzes and games and then thought "and now?". Well, I reckon Facebook takes some time to grow on you, as new people join, you find friends of friends, join "groups", add photos, look at friends photos, add your thoughts to discussion boards. It's huge and I guess you could happily while away the hours and wonder where the day has gone.So you can find me on Facebook here: Jamie on FacebookNow I have made a "Jamie's Phuket Group" on Facebook for friends and people who read my blogs and like them. Anyone with a Facebook account can join the group, add photos, start discussions, leave posts on the "wall", chat about Phuket... you can ask questions... More About: Social
Nikitas Bar, Rawai Beach
2008-07-11 11:42:00 If you're looking for a place in Phuket where you can relax with a cold beer and sit right by the sea away from hawkers and bar girls, well you better get out of Patong! Somehow, Rawai beach has remained pretty quiet, although it is certainly busier than when I first went 8 years ago. A few more restaurants along the beach road, quite a lot more real estate developments along the road from Chalong, all promising a sea view. It's a popular area for living, less so for hotels, mainly because Rawai is not really a swimming beach - it's too rocky and very shallow at low tide. Very beautiful area, but not a prime holiday resort location. Good! Let it stay that way!It must have been about 8 years ago that I first had a drink at Nikitas Bar. This place is a Phuket legend... been on the beach in Rawai for over 15 years, and is still small, friendly and most importantly does not rip you off for a beer just because you are sitting by the sea! My wife and I used to head for Rawai often, a c... More About: Beach
Nikitas Bar, Rawai Beach
2008-07-11 11:42:00 If you're looking for a place in Phuket where you can relax with a cold beer and sit right by the sea away from hawkers and bar girls, well you better get out of Patong! Somehow, Rawai beach has remained pretty quiet, although it is certainly busier than when I first went 8 years ago. A few more restaurants along the beach road, quite a lot more real estate developments along the road from Chalong, all promising a sea view. It's a popular area for living, less so for hotels, mainly because Rawai is not really a swimming beach - it's too rocky and very shallow at low tide. Very beautiful area, but not a prime holiday resort location. Good! Let it stay that way!It must have been about 8 years ago that I first had a drink at Nikitas Bar. This place is a Phuket legend... been on the beach in Rawai for over 15 years, and is still small, friendly and most importantly does not rip you off for a beer just because you are sitting by the sea! My wife and I used to head for Rawai often, a c... More About: Beach
Phuket News - Where to find it...
2008-07-08 15:37:00 I try to keep up and post some of the latest Phuket news stories on my Phuket News page, along with some not-to-be-forgotten old news stories. There's not normally any "big" news in Phuket, but if you want to get a feel for what goes on, it's worth checking the news before you travel, and not just the weather forecast!There are a number of local newspapers and magazines in Phuket, mostly they are just dressed up advertising, especially with regards to restaurant "reviews" and property news. If you want real news, there's really only one choice.The Phuket Gazette has been around since 1993, when Phuket tourism was still (relatively) in it's infancy. I've been reading it (mostly online) since I came here in 1999. Sometimes the news is thin on the ground, sometimes there are 3 articles per day. The Gazette has more than just news - there's an extensive classified section, a job section, "issues and answers" and the "queer news" too. The news is mostly local, often reporting on cr... More About: Find
Phuket News - Where to find it...
2008-07-08 15:37:00 I try to keep up and post some of the latest Phuket news stories on my Phuket News page, along with some not-to-be-forgotten old news stories. There's not normally any "big" news in Phuket, but if you want to get a feel for what goes on, it's worth checking the news before you travel, and not just the weather forecast!There are a number of local newspapers and magazines in Phuket, mostly they are just dressed up advertising, especially with regards to restaurant "reviews" and property news. If you want real news, there's really only one choice.The Phuket Gazette has been around since 1993, when Phuket tourism was still (relatively) in it's infancy. I've been reading it (mostly online) since I came here in 1999. Sometimes the news is thin on the ground, sometimes there are 3 articles per day. The Gazette has more than just news - there's an extensive classified section, a job section, "issues and answers" and the "queer news" too. The news is mostly local, often reporting on cr... More About: Find
Wat Thepnimit
2008-07-05 11:39:00 Wat Thepnimit (or Thep Nimit) is about 3km outside Phuket town on the road to Chalong (Chao Fa Road) in Tambon (sub district) Wichit. You can't see the temple from the road, though the entrance is quite obvious. The temple is behind Thepnimit School. When I visited yesterday morning, kids were arriving for school...The temple was very quiet, as the local temples normally are. It's not a large temple, but as always I found some points of interest (if you like temples!). The main building was locked, as they often are - the local temples are not normally open 24-7.Normally the temples have a kind of bell tower. Here the bell was in something like a pagoda, brightly painted with pictures of lotus flowers.I had read on another website a story about a new chedi built at Wat Thepnimit about 3 years ago to house what is described as "Buddha?s relics". It seems many local people helped to build this new golden Chedi which is about 8 meters high and very golden indeed!The Monks houses here...
Wat Thepnimit
2008-07-05 11:39:00 Wat Thepnimit (or Thep Nimit) is about 3km outside Phuket town on the road to Chalong (Chao Fa Road) in Tambon (sub district) Wichit. You can't see the temple from the road, though the entrance is quite obvious. The temple is behind Thepnimit School. When I visited yesterday morning, kids were arriving for school...The temple was very quiet, as the local temples normally are. It's not a large temple, but as always I found some points of interest (if you like temples!). The main building was locked, as they often are - the local temples are not normally open 24-7.Normally the temples have a kind of bell tower. Here the bell was in something like a pagoda, brightly painted with pictures of lotus flowers.I had read on another website a story about a new chedi built at Wat Thepnimit about 3 years ago to house what is described as "Buddha?s relics". It seems many local people helped to build this new golden Chedi which is about 8 meters high and very golden indeed!The Monks houses here...
HotelTravel.com - A Phuket Success Story
2008-07-01 12:10:00 A few months ago, I had an email from HotelTravel.com asking about advertising or setting up partner links with this here Phuket blog. Which was nice. HotelTravel.com is a big banana on the internet, and I had been wondering if they had any affiliate program, as it's a top quality website and always seems to pop up in Google searches... they must be doing well, I thought.The HotelTravel.com website is very easy to use, rates are low and there are live agents waiting to chat - and I mean there really ARE live agents.. I always thought that was a bit of a con, the live agent button, normally redirecting you to a call center in Bangalore or something, but I have seen the HotelTravel live agents! Rather than do everything by email, I printed out the partner agreement and visited their office which is right here in Phuket. Only when I saw the offices did I realise what a big company it is. This was impressive! It looked very modern and efficient, I was quite taken aback, as things in Th... More About: Story , Success , Success Story
HotelTravel.com - A Phuket Success Story
2008-07-01 12:10:00 A few months ago, I had an email from HotelTravel.com asking about advertising or setting up partner links with this here Phuket blog. Which was nice. HotelTravel.com is a big banana on the internet, and I had been wondering if they had any affiliate program, as it's a top quality website and always seems to pop up in Google searches... they must be doing well, I thought.The HotelTravel.com website is very easy to use, rates are low and there are live agents waiting to chat - and I mean there really ARE live agents.. I always thought that was a bit of a con, the live agent button, normally redirecting you to a call center in Bangalore or something, but I have seen the HotelTravel live agents! Rather than do everything by email, I printed out the partner agreement and visited their office which is right here in Phuket. Only when I saw the offices did I realise what a big company it is. This was impressive! It looked very modern and efficient, I was quite taken aback, as things in Th... More About: Story , Success , Success Story
Jamie's Phuket on Google Earth
2008-06-28 07:02:00 Over the last couple of weeks, bit by bit, I have been adding placemarks on Google Earth showing where to find the hotels, restaurants, temples, beaches and hills that feature on Jamie's Phuket . I joined the "Google Earth Community" to be able to post on the Google Earth forum which creates a link to the places I have added.So, if you browse this blog now you will notice that almost all pages have links to Google Earth - click on the link and what happens is this: If you have Google Earth installed on your computer, then it will open and you'll fly in to Phuket and see the placemarker. You may have a message on screen first asking "Do you wish to open or save this file?" - click Open.For example, if you are looking at some of the restaurants on this blog and like the look of Kan Eang Seafood, and want to know where it is, just click on the link that says "See location on Google Earth", and you'll see this:If you fancy an evening walk at Bang Wad Reservoir, click the link on that ...
Jamie's Phuket on Google Earth
2008-06-28 07:02:00 Over the last couple of weeks, bit by bit, I have been adding placemarks on Google Earth showing where to find the hotels, restaurants, temples, beaches and hills that feature on Jamie's Phuket . I joined the "Google Earth Community" to be able to post on the Google Earth forum which creates a link to the places I have added.So, if you browse this blog now you will notice that almost all pages have links to Google Earth - click on the link and what happens is this: If you have Google Earth installed on your computer, then it will open and you'll fly in to Phuket and see the placemarker. You may have a message on screen first asking "Do you wish to open or save this file?" - click Open.For example, if you are looking at some of the restaurants on this blog and like the look of Kan Eang Seafood, and want to know where it is, just click on the link that says "See location on Google Earth", and you'll see this:If you fancy an evening walk at Bang Wad Reservoir, click the link on that ...
Guesthouses and Hostels - Phuket for Backpackers
2008-06-23 10:52:00 It's fair to say that Phuket is more of an "upmarket" destination compared to backpackers hangouts like Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao. I am sorry to say you can't find little bamboo bungalows on the beach for 150 Baht a night in Phuket, and you don't have much in the way of backpacker oriented bars and nightlife. Over the years, Phuket has moved more into the luxury market, with many 4 - 5 star resorts around the island, and I have seen huge changes in infrastructure in the 9 years that I have been here. Not just hotels, but marinas, luxury condos, many housing developments, shopping centers such as Jungceylon and Central Festival... The list goes on and on...Not all of this is for tourists of course, in fact most of it benefits the local people and foreign residents more than tourists. Many foreigners have decided that Phuket is a great place to live (see Buying a House in Phuket for more information), and the money coming into Phuket has made plenty of local people wealthy - a look a...
Guesthouses and Hostels - Phuket for Backpackers
2008-06-23 10:52:00 It's fair to say that Phuket is more of an "upmarket" destination compared to backpackers hangouts like Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao. I am sorry to say you can't find little bamboo bungalows on the beach for 150 Baht a night in Phuket, and you don't have much in the way of backpacker oriented bars and nightlife. Over the years, Phuket has moved more into the luxury market, with many 4 - 5 star resorts around the island, and I have seen huge changes in infrastructure in the 9 years that I have been here. Not just hotels, but marinas, luxury condos, many housing developments, shopping centers such as Jungceylon and Central Festival... The list goes on and on...Not all of this is for tourists of course, in fact most of it benefits the local people and foreign residents more than tourists. Many foreigners have decided that Phuket is a great place to live (see Buying a House in Phuket for more information), and the money coming into Phuket has made plenty of local people wealthy - a look a...
Restaurant Tips: Farang
2008-06-19 04:54:00 Farang ? such a simple word that can be used in so many different situations. You would have thought that naming a Phuket restaurant Farang would be a recipe for disaster, but thankfully Farang restaurant is a welcome breath of fresh air for Phuket's restaurant scene.There are actually two Farang restaurants in Phuket. The first is in Cherng Talay (an area in the north of Phuket near Bang Tao beach popular with expats); the second is next to Index Living Mall on the bypass road (just outside Phuket Town). Both have identical menus. The only difference between the two restaurants is that the vibe at the Cherng Talay branch is a little more chilled without the headache of the bypass road nearby.The food at Farang restaurant is fantastic. The menu features simple fusion dishes executed to perfection. Choose from a range of pasta dishes, pizzas, salads and Thai dishes, all coming in at about 100 to 200 baht.It's the little touches that make Farang stand out. The care taken in the pres... More About: Restaurant , Tips
Restaurant Tips: Farang
2008-06-19 04:54:00 Farang ? such a simple word that can be used in so many different situations. You would have thought that naming a Phuket restaurant Farang would be a recipe for disaster, but thankfully Farang restaurant is a welcome breath of fresh air for Phuket's restaurant scene.There are actually two Farang restaurants in Phuket. The first is in Cherng Talay (an area in the north of Phuket near Bang Tao beach popular with expats); the second is next to Index Living Mall on the bypass road (just outside Phuket Town). Both have identical menus. The only difference between the two restaurants is that the vibe at the Cherng Talay branch is a little more chilled without the headache of the bypass road nearby.The food at Farang restaurant is fantastic. The menu features simple fusion dishes executed to perfection. Choose from a range of pasta dishes, pizzas, salads and Thai dishes, all coming in at about 100 to 200 baht.It's the little touches that make Farang stand out. The care taken in the pres... More About: Restaurant , Tips
Hotel Recommendation: Karon Princess
2008-06-14 01:20:00 You can find a number of smaller mid price resorts along Karon Beach, as well as big resorts such as Hilton Arcadia. Karon even has backpackers rooms (which will be covered on this blog shortly). I'd say that the mid range hotels are all pretty decent, but the Karon Princess gets good reviews on TripAdvisor, and I just noticed that for the low season (May - October) you can stay for just 950 Baht per night! Check the late booking prices! High season rates are more like 4,000 Baht per night. This is not unusual - the low season is a great time to visit Phuket! But it rains all the time, I hear you cry... Not true. Weather is normally very nice - check these links:• Phuket Weather Blog• Wet Season Weather in PhuketKaron Princess is on the beach road, close to the area called "Karon Center" where you have a good selection of restaurants and bars - see location on Google Earth. Karon is pretty quiet, certainly when compared to Patong, which is about 8km north. In the low seas... More About: Hotel , Recommendation
Hotel Recommendation: Karon Princess
2008-06-14 01:20:00 You can find a number of smaller mid price resorts along Karon Beach, as well as big resorts such as Hilton Arcadia. Karon even has backpackers rooms (which will be covered on this blog shortly). I'd say that the mid range hotels are all pretty decent, but the Karon Princess gets good reviews on TripAdvisor, and I just noticed that for the low season (May - October) you can stay for just 950 Baht per night! Check the late booking prices! High season rates are more like 4,000 Baht per night. This is not unusual - the low season is a great time to visit Phuket! But it rains all the time, I hear you cry... Not true. Weather is normally very nice - check these links:• Phuket Weather Blog• Wet Season Weather in PhuketKaron Princess is on the beach road, close to the area called "Karon Center" where you have a good selection of restaurants and bars - see location on Google Earth. Karon is pretty quiet, certainly when compared to Patong, which is about 8km north. In the low seas... More About: Hotel , Recommendation
Suan Luang Park (Phuket Town)
2008-06-08 02:00:00 On a beautiful clear morning last week I decided to check out the big park on the west of Phuket Town called Suan Luang or King Rama IX park. I have driven past hundreds of times, but it's not that close to our house, so not really convenient for morning or evening walks (we normally go to the Bang Wad Reservoir). I don't think I realised the size of the park. After half an hours walking around there was still more to see. It's a gathering place for locals in the mornings and evenings when it's cool enough to take walks or go jogging or ride bicycles. There were also some people playing badminton and a football match going on at 8am!The main entrance to the park is on Chao Fa road, which heads out of Phuket town towards Chalong, but there are also a side entrances. Just inside the entrance is a large lake, and you can turn right or left and start walking/jogging...To the left is another small lake full of lotus flowers, and a maze of paths twisting and turning through the trees.... More About: Park
Suan Luang Park (Phuket Town)
2008-06-08 02:00:00 On a beautiful clear morning last week I decided to check out the big park on the west of Phuket Town called Suan Luang or King Rama IX park. I have driven past hundreds of times, but it's not that close to our house, so not really convenient for morning or evening walks (we normally go to the Bang Wad Reservoir). I don't think I realised the size of the park. After half an hours walking around there was still more to see. It's a gathering place for locals in the mornings and evenings when it's cool enough to take walks or go jogging or ride bicycles. There were also some people playing badminton and a football match going on at 8am!The main entrance to the park is on Chao Fa road (see location on Google Earth), which heads out of Phuket town towards Chalong, but there are also a couple of side entrances. Just inside the entrance is a large lake, and you can turn right or left and start walking/jogging...To the left is another small lake full of lotus flowers, and a maze of path... More About: Park
World Nomads Travel Insurance
2008-06-04 14:57:00 If I can just stray off the topic of Phuket for a moment... I did a lot of traveling when I was younger - Africa, India, South America, all over the world from Alaska to Zambia, from Chichicastenango to Ouagadougou. It was an addiction that was somehow cured by a combination of scuba diving, a small island called Utila and finally Thailand. But that's another story! Wherever I did roam, I was sensible enough to have Travel Insurance to cover medical problems (such as my infected leg in Cameroon - I still have the scar) or possible theft of my camera (though I have never had anything stolen while traveling). Peace of mind, that's what insurance is, and it's so cheap! You can take a few risks when traveling, visit some strange places, but it's nice to have someone watching your back!Travel insurance: simple & flexibleRecommended by Lonely Planet, World Nomads travel insurance is available to people from over 150 countries and is designed for adventurous travelers with cover for ov... More About: Travel Insurance
World Nomads Travel Insurance
2008-06-04 14:57:00 If I can just stray off the topic of Phuket for a moment... I did a lot of traveling when I was younger - Africa, India, South America, all over the world from Alaska to Zambia, from Chichicastenango to Ouagadougou. It was an addiction that was somehow cured by a combination of scuba diving, a small island called Utila and finally Thailand. But that's another story! Wherever I did roam, I was sensible enough to have Travel Insurance to cover medical problems (such as my infected leg in Cameroon - I still have the scar) or possible theft of my camera (though I have never had anything stolen while traveling). Peace of mind, that's what insurance is, and it's so cheap! You can take a few risks when traveling, visit some strange places, but it's nice to have someone watching your back!Travel insurance: simple & flexibleRecommended by Lonely Planet, World Nomads travel insurance is available to people from over 150 countries and is designed for adventurous travelers with cover for ov... More About: Travel Insurance
An Evening at Bang Wad Reservoir and Dam
2008-06-01 16:19:00 Just a few minutes drive from our house, Bang Wad reservoir is Phuket's largest water supply, located in the hills to the west of Phuket Town. To get there just find Phuket Country Club Golf Course and drive through and all the way to the reservoir. During the day there's not much going on, but in the late afternoon, lots of people come here to exercise, jog, ride bikes, picnic, play takraw, let the kids run around... There's lots of space, and some keen joggers even run right around the reservoir (a circuit of about 6km).The reservoir is over 1km long, and the dam is 800m long - pretty big, yet with the increasing population and demands of tourism in Phuket, there are occasional water shortage "scares" in Phuket. There is talk of pumping water to Phuket from the enormous Chiew Lan Lake at Khao Sok (about 125km from Phuket Town as the crow flies).We like to take walks along the dam, let the kids race, play on some big rocks... There are stalls selling snacks (BBQ pork, drinks etc... More About: Evening
An Evening at Bang Wad Reservoir and Dam
2008-06-01 16:19:00 Just a few minutes drive from our house, Bang Wad reservoir is Phuket's largest water supply, located in the hills to the west of Phuket Town. To get there just find Phuket Country Club Golf Course and drive through and all the way to the reservoir. During the day there's not much going on, but in the late afternoon, lots of people come here to exercise, jog, ride bikes, picnic, play takraw, let the kids run around... There's lots of space, and some keen joggers even run right around the reservoir (a circuit of about 6km).The reservoir is over 1km long, and the dam is 800m long - pretty big, yet with the increasing population and demands of tourism in Phuket, there are occasional water shortage "scares" in Phuket. There is talk of pumping water to Phuket from the enormous Chiew Lan Lake at Khao Sok (about 125km from Phuket Town as the crow flies).• View Bang Wad reservoir on Google EarthWe like to take walks along the dam, let the kids race, play on some big rocks... There a... More About: Evening
Restaurant Tips: Pak Nam Seafood
2008-05-28 17:37:00 I admit that life sometimes becomes a bit repetitive, mostly governed by work and school, and we tend to sink into regular patterns. We eat at home much of the time (see Home Cooking), and when we eat out we tend to head for regular hangouts, places we know, places that are safe for the kids, places where we know we can get good food. I vowed to try some new restaurants this year, and finally last week, when I had a holiday and both kids were at school, we found a new restaurant which we liked and indeed went back a few days later with the kids. Pak Nam Seafood is right on the northern edge of Phuket Town on Ratsadanuson Road which winds around the edge of "Monkey Hill" from the government offices in the extreme northeast of town to just north of the Mission hospital which is on the main road out of town to the airport. They said it only opened last year, but seems to be popular, and I think the answer may be the food.Pak Nam Seafood had been recommended to us by friends. You m... More About: Restaurant , Tips
Restaurant Tips: Pak Nam Seafood
2008-05-28 17:37:00 I admit that life sometimes becomes a bit repetitive, mostly governed by work and school, and we tend to sink into regular patterns. We eat at home much of the time (see Home Cooking), and when we eat out we tend to head for regular hangouts, places we know, places that are safe for the kids, places where we know we can get good food. I vowed to try some new restaurants this year, and finally last week, when I had a holiday and both kids were at school, we found a new restaurant which we liked and indeed went back a few days later with the kids. Pak Nam Seafood is right on the northern edge of Phuket Town on Ratsadanuson Road which winds around the edge of "Monkey Hill" from the government offices in the extreme northeast of town to just north of the Mission hospital which is on the main road out of town to the airport. They said it only opened last year, but seems to be popular, and I think the answer may be the food.Pak Nam Seafood had been recommended to us by friends. You m... More About: Restaurant , Tips
Wat Kosit Wiharn (Phuket Town)
2008-05-23 05:17:00 It's temple time again! You'll find a lot of information about Phuket 's Temples on the blog, and that's because I like temples! I have a vague plan to blog all the temples in Phuket including mosques and Chinese shrines too. Every temple has something special, but they all share a certain spiritual peace and are somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life.We happened to be passing Wat Kosit Wiharn (or Wihan, or indeed Viharn), which is a little north of Phuket City center on the road towards the airport (route 402) - see location on Google Earth. It's quite an important temple, mainly due to it's large Buddhist cemetery (which I might revisit soon). Near the main temple is a crematorium, and around the main temple you find small recesses in the wall containing ashes along with a photo of the deceased and money for the afterlife. You have to climb a fair number of steps to reach the temple, which is built into the jungly hillside. You have views to the west a... More About: Town
Wat Kosit Wiharn (Phuket Town)
2008-05-23 05:17:00 It's temple time again! You'll find a lot of information about Phuket 's Temples on the blog, and that's because I like temples! I have a vague plan to blog all the temples in Phuket including mosques and Chinese shrines too. Every temple has something special, but they all share a certain spiritual peace and are somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life.We happened to be passing Wat Kosit Wiharn (or Wihan, or indeed Viharn), which is a little north of Phuket City center on the road towards the airport (route 402). It's quite an important temple, mainly due to it's large Buddhist cemetery (which I might revisit soon). Near the main temple is a crematorium, and around the main temple you find small recesses in the wall containing ashes along with a photo of the deceased and money for the afterlife. You have to climb a fair number of steps to reach the temple, which is built into the jungly hillside. You have views to the west across the north of Phuket town.... More About: Town
Views from Rang Hill (Phuket Town)
2008-05-20 06:16:00 Rang Hill (Khao Rang) is located on the north side of Phuket town and is a popular gathering place in the evenings and a fairly commonly visited viewpoint, on the itineraries of tours. There's a well known cafe (Tunk Ka Cafe) on the top, which does food and great iced coffee. We've only ever had the coffee, must go and try a meal there one day! There are views over parts of Phuket City and also across to Chalong Bay and Buddha Mountain. We go up there now and then for a little walk and a bit of fresh air. There are several access roads, one of which is just behind one of our favourite restaurants - Dairy Hut, on a side road next to the Phuket Bangkok Hospital.(above) Romance on Rang Hill. Couples sit and enjoy the views in the evening.The statue above shows Ratsada Korsimbi Na Ranong, who was governor of Phuket around the turn of the 20th century. He came from a political family (his dad was governor of Ranong), and did a lot to put Phuket on the map, especially modernising the ti... More About: Views , Town
Views from Rang Hill (Phuket Town)
2008-05-20 06:16:00 Rang Hill (Khao Rang) is located on the north side of Phuket town and is a popular gathering place in the evenings and a fairly commonly visited viewpoint, on the itineraries of tours. There's a well known cafe (Tunk Ka Cafe) on the top, which does food and great iced coffee. We've only ever had the coffee, must go and try a meal there one day! There are views over parts of Phuket City and also across to Chalong Bay and Buddha Mountain. We go up there now and then for a little walk and a bit of fresh air. There are several access roads, one of which is just behind one of our favourite restaurants - Dairy Hut, on a side road next to the Phuket Bangkok Hospital.• Rang Hill location on Google Earth(above) Romance on Rang Hill. Couples sit and enjoy the views in the evening.The statue above shows Ratsada Korsimbi Na Ranong, who was governor of Phuket around the turn of the 20th century. He came from a political family (his dad was governor of Ranong), and did a lot to put Phuket ... More About: Views , Town
Thai Food - Good Ol' Home Cooking
More articles from this author:2008-05-12 07:49:00 I just cannot get bored with Thai food. The variety is endless, the tastes sometimes surprising, odd mixtures of sour, sweet and spicy, flavours to ensnare the senses. I have to say the food was one of the reasons I stayed in Thailand longer than originally intended. I don't like all Thai food - for example, I have never been a fan of Som Tam, and some of the curries are too spicy for me - though over the years I have gotten used to the spicy food. Not all Thai food is spicy of course. There are plenty of simple dishes like fried rice or mixed vegetables or egg dishes. And I don't exclusively eat Thai food, I don't pretend to be a local! I do like the occasional pizza or spaghetti or English breakfast or just a sandwich. Of course in Phuket you can get pretty much anything you fancy.At home we eat mostly Thai food, mainly because my wife is Thai and when she's in the mood, she does like to cook. We go out to eat quite often because eating out here (if avoiding tourist restaurant... More About: Cooking , Food , Home , Good 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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