More Phuket

I can't believe I haven't gotten this posted yet...so, back to Phuket we go!

One of the things I truly DO NOT enjoy about traveling is when you hit upon that so oft visited vacation spot - you know, how you jump out of your vehicle and are immediately assaulted by about 25 people all desperately awaiting tourists who all 1) want to be  your best friend, 2) want to take you somewhere, 3) want to show you something, 4) want to sell you something, 5) etc...and just don't seem to take NO for an answer.  This always puts me off and sends the location straight down the list ... somewhere around the bottom with all things Mexico.  (Because let's face it, if you venture 2 feet off the property of a resort in Mexico this is what happens.)  I simply DO NOT enjoy this approach to soliciting business.  I DO understand these people are just trying to make a living but they will never get my business.  I will walk as far away from them as I possibly can.  Enter, Mr. Cool!  Mr. Tongsing...taxi driver bar none!  He was driving down the street in Phuket town, more or less minding his own business, we sort of looked up and both said "hey, let's grab this guy..."  We waved and got in and off we went!  Leaving many of the 25 who accosted us saying things I am sure were not nice as we drove off.

Here are Mr. Tongsing and his "Tuk, Tuk":

SO Cute!  He drove us around for a few sights in Phuket town (there weren't many to be honest) but here we go:  some of the "town":

So if you will forgive a spajunkie for this most tacky and persnickity comment - I turned to Mr. Ken after about five minutes and said "new town, same crap."  I don't know, but I can tell you I've had my fill of cheap sundresses, wood carvings and wind chimes!  I did, however, giggle at the Swenson's!  They are all over Asia!!

The preferred mode of transportation for many - a sort of motocycle/pick up truck/trailer!  Or something like that.  I think the nuances are lost because of the traffic behind him...he is on a motorcycle with a sort of large sidecar which seems more like a trailer or something...all covered in plastic!  Smart.

Anyway, we finally found our Tuk Tuk and set off for other sights.  First stop "Biggest Jewelry Store in the World" (not to mention ISo 9001 Certified!).  Or so they say.  It was incredibly large and very, very, very glittery!  I almost swooned.  

No cameras allowed in the actual showroom.  There is nothing I like better than a huge room filled from wall to wall with gold, white gold, silver, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, amethyst, pearls.  They also had a "factory" where you could watch craftsmen making one of a kind pieces.  It was very interesting though, obviously, very commercial.  I may, or may not, have found a very beautiful sapphire ring and I may or may not have had Mr. Ken buy it for me.  If you are a very observant blog reader you already know the answer based on another blog post!  

Next, on to a temple:

Mr. Ken in the Tuk Tuk

We went back to the hotel at this point for a massage...we asked our totally cute taxi to come back for us on Sunday...we went to see The Big Buddha (and some other things) which will be in the next one!

A few more things about the hotel we loved!  The spa.  First of all Westin just has good spas across the board.  This one was no exception and on Friday we had a massage, Monday we went back for a full spa treatment ~ it was divine!  

One of the things I love to do is find the best "little something, something" a hotel does for you that is unexpected.  This has ranged from fresh fruit, a bottle of wine, both, all the way to the famed KL Ritz Carlton and their monogrammed pillow cases.  The Westin Phuket offered these:

I mean, honestly who doesn't need a pool/beach bag on a resort/beach vaca?  I totally realize the marketing ploy to get you to buy one (I didn't!) but still.  Very nice touch.  Just sitting there in the closet complete with towels.  And to be honest at a mere $30US, it was a bargain to buy...sadly, the spajunkie travels with all her own pool/beach bag ensembles to match her outfits and so...there you go.  Maybe I shouldn't and I should await the surprises!  

The last little fabulous hide away we found at the resort was this pool.  You had to hike up an astounding four sets of many stairs to make it to the top but the views were breathtaking.

Okay, next time - trip out with the Tuk Tuk driver minus the Tuk Tuk!

Until then!  Love, spajunkie

Comments

[Shell]

Oh hh....sooo pretty!

I feel the same way you do. If you are going to practically pull me, drag me, and shove me to come with you, forget it. You are getting nothing from me!