Phuk It
On Wednesday, I asked my dad if I could go to Thailand. On Friday, I was on Bangla Road, partying with high school buddies. IT was a spur of the moment decision to go to Thailand, and I don't regret a single second of it. Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is jam-packed with things to do, and we only had a few days to do it. Here's what we did, and what you can do to make the most of this island.
Tiger Kingdom
I have mixed feelings about this spot. On one hand, it's a heart-pounding experience to be face to face with a tiger, being able to touch them and interact with them just feet away. Observing them as if they are a pet cat is incredibly interesting but then at the same time it's a bit upsetting. These animals are alpha, they are not domestic. They're clearly drugged out, and the handlers show no respect to these majestic creatures. So while I was enraptured by the tigers themselves, the handling of the park is somewhat difficult to watch, and I don't necessarily consider myself an animal activist per say.
Being able to see these incredible animals up close and personal is an incredible experience, regardless of the way they are treated, which is something that must be addressed.
James Bond Island
So this is advertised as one of the must do activities in Phuket. Simply speaking, it is not worth it. I'm glad I saw it, but at the same time, I wish I would have done something else in my time in Phuket. It's a tiny beach, way overcrowded with tourists and vendors, and frankly not the most amazing geological features. Other islands have just as incredible views and rock formations, but it is the fact that James Bond had a scene filmed here that this island skyrocketed to fame. So essentially, if you only have a few days, I say skip it, but if you have a week or so, you might as well check it out as a pit stop on a tour.
Worth a visit if you have time, as it is a very unique destination (go early or later to avoid the crowds)
Cave Exploration
Now this is a must do in Phuket. It doesn't matter how you get to the caves, whether it's on a private dingy or a large tour group, because once you get to the caves, the natural beauty will be the only thing you remember. There are dozens of caves around the islands, and exploring in and out of these islands via kayaks and canoes is an experience of a lifetime. Look out for the bats in the pitch dark caves, and keep a track of your belongings because the monkeys of the surrounding rainforests will gladly take your glasses should you decide the bed of the canoe is a good spot to keep them. This is one of the most naturally beautiful places I have ever seen, and frankly, words and photos simply do not do it justice at all. Boat rides from cave to cave was just the most beautifully scenic experience of my life. Tours like this are very unique in the world, and the only way to do it is with a tour guide. A trip to Phuket would not be complete without canoeing through the caves of the islands .
One of the most incredible experiences of my life, without a doubt!
Partying
Bangla Road is the most insane party experience I think I have ever had. Maybe it's because I went into it blindly, not expecting much from a tropical island. But as soon as I stepped out of the cab, I was surrounded by vendors, people trying to guide me into their bars, neon lights, nude girls, and groups of young travelers falling over each other. I walked down the street to my destination just looking around at all of everything that was going on. It's a sensory overload in every way possible. Bars are literally stacked on top of bars, and alcohol is flowing like the waterfalls of the Thai jungle. I ended up at Illuzion with some buddies and this was one of the best clubs I have been to in all of Asia. It may not be as glamorous, or glitzy as the high end clubs of Shanghai or Hong Kong, but the vibe of the people is much more lively and fun than those clubs. We had a blast raging with Russian, Thai, American, and a bunch of other types of people. Illuzion is in fact one of the best clubs in the world, and it wasn't hard to see why. Staff walk around selling everything from vodka shots in syringes to popcorn, and the alcohol is always flowing. We partied until five in the morning and we were far from alone while the sun rose. There really is no other place on the island to party other than Bangla Road, so even though our hotel was an hour away, we made the trek down to Patong Beach to experience this incredible party town.
Given this is the only photo I have from our night out in Phuket, I will let you conclude how fun it is.
Only a few days in Phuket left me with just those experiences out of the hotel, but from doing research, I can tell you the other things that are worth doing would be: elephant trekking (my friends did this before I arrived and they thought it was awesome-they got to ride an elephant to a hidden waterfall pool so of course it was), zip-lining, white water rafting, old Phuket, and the Phuket Big Buddha. But if you only have two or three days in Phuket, this is how you thrive. As long as you stay sober enough.