Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1 PHUKET'S BEACHES
The white sands, the view of sea and sky: Hat Kata (
Click here
) is my favourite
and it is lucky that I work there so I can pop out every now and then for a break.
Hat Mai Khao (
Click here
) is a quiet alternative. It is a natural environment
without a lot of hotels or other tourist development. Sometimes you can even see
the turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.
2 DINE & RELAX LIKE A CHEF
The simple waterfront restaurant
Pak Nam Seafood
( 0 7624 0240; Th Rat-
sadanuson, Phuket Town)
is located in a small village where the seafood is
'walked' from the sea to the restaurant's kitchen. The prices are aimed at
Phuket's locals. A popular Phuket dish is
gaang sôm Ъlah
(southern-style sour
fish curry). For relaxing,
At Surakul
( 0 7630 4409; 14/19 Th Vichit, Thalang)
has live Thai country music and is fun for groups of friends.
3 PHUKET TOWN
For shopping, browse the old shops in Phuket Town (
Click here
). A lot of the old
buildings were built in the Sino-Portuguese style and walking around this historic
area is a great way to discover new restaurants and shops.
4 COOKING COURSES
Mom Tri's Boathouse (
Click here
) cooking classes are hands-on workshops
right by the sea so students can learn with a view. Classes explain the building
blocks of Thai food and the flavour progression as the sugar, lemon and fish
sauce are added. I grew up in the northeast surrounded by home cooks so I've
merged the best of both worlds: Isan with Phuket.
5 PHUKET'S VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL
According to legend, Chinese Thais started the Vegetarian Festival (
Click here
)
in order to purify themselves of bad luck. Not to be missed is the dragon fighting
event. Two costumed dragon dancers climb up on long poles and try to knock
each other down with long poles. Eventually one loses and falls to the ground to
be caught by their dragon team members.
