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Beach blast in Phuket
New Year is special time to be in Thailand, but five years after the Tsunami it’s a bit scary too.
New Year is special time to be in Thailand, but five years after the Tsunami it’s a bit scary too. But blame it on my love for Thai hospitality that this year I’m again here with my daughter Akanksha to mark the New Year. Phuket is one of the most famous islands in Southern Thailand. And to see how it has been rebuilt over the past five years after being ravaged by the Tsunami is amazing; new paths, roads, houses and schools. Phi Phi Island
After breakfast at The Banyan Tree, we headed on a boat to Phi Phi Lei, an island where the film The Beach was shot. The beach is magical, but with a different vibe from Phuket. While some people got off for snorkeling, we just shopped and lazed at the beach. Kingdom of Kamala Spread over 140 acres, this “ultimate cultural theme park” of Phuket is a mini Thailand in itself. While the dinner was decadent to the core, the Fantasea show was spectacular. This carnival village is a great place for children with its music and colourful costumes and an Asian flare for celebration. Unfortunately, no cameras are allowed inside. But I was more impressed by the systematic distribution of belongings after the show.
Spa…aah!A spa treatment at The Banyan Tree is a must. So Akanksha and I booked ourselves for a Sprinkler couple massage and set off in a buggy from our villa to the Spa. The buggy service around the resort is brilliant. At the Spa, the therapists took us on exhilarating sensory journeys, through many types of holistic healing. The service was worth the money (approx INR 20,000 for the two of us), and we felt like royalty. Patong Beach
Later after an amazing Thai dinner at the Blue Marine Resort, we headed to check out some nightlife at the Patong Beach. We first went in for a foot massage, an amazing one hour treatment for 180 Baht each. And after a session of bargain shopping, reached the resort totally satisfied.
This is a vacation full of history, culture, relaxation and fun. And has left Akanksha (who shares her birthday with Tsunami) a happier person to see that people have overcome the disaster. Thumbs up Phuket!
