A Break in Phuket: A Seven Day Itinerary

As part of your Thailand visit, it may not be possible to spend an entire week in one place, with many visitors choosing to incorporate as much as possible into their South East Asian adventure. While this may appeal to some, you may be among those who would like to base themselves in a particular area for a week and, with tailor-made Phuket holidays, you can do just that in a corner of the world that is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is inspiring.

So, what to do for a week in Phuket? Of course the beaches here are amazing, and you’ll want to factor in some time to do absolutely nothing at all, but there’s much more to Phuket than just soft sands. Venture away from the beach and you’ll be richly rewarded.

Day One – Relax and Unwind No Thai break would be complete without a little relaxation and the first day is a great time to do it. Beaches are what Phuket excels in, with Nai Yang Beach being highly recommended due to its fusion of tourist influences without being OTT.

Day Two – Wat Chalong As the most important Buddhist temple on the island, Wat Chalong is a must for anyone who wants to spend some time appreciating the culture. Visit early to beat the crowds, giving yourself more time to discover its beauty without feeling closed in.

Day Three – Phang Nga Bay Home to James Bond Island, which was used in a 007 film, Phang Nga Bay is as naturally beautiful as it comes. Charter your own longtail boat or join a tour, sea canoeing amongst the limestone karst formations that jut out of the emerald green waters.

Day Four – The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project Get a little closer to wildlife in the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, where conservation experts work hard to rehabilitate gibbons and release them back into their natural home.

Day Five – Old Phuket Town Explore the ‘real’ Phuket in the old town, where you’re less likely to bump into hordes of tourists. Grab your camera, sample some street food and mosey around the local shops to experience the traditional side of this Thai tourist hot spot.

Day Six – Island Hop While Phuket itself may be enough for some people, it’d be a shame to pass up the chance to hop across to one of the neighboring islands, especially when a lot of them are unspoilt and secluded.

Day Seven – Relax After such a hectic few days, it’d be a good thing to just relax again. Whether it’s at your hotel accommodation or on the beach again is completely up to you.

Add Phuket to your list of places to see and start planning your next adventure, today.

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Sleep Sheep Hostel, Phuket Old Town: A Review

The Sleep Sheep Hostel is one of the older and the more well known hostels in the Old town area of Phuket. I stayed here for 1 day and 1 night and found this place to be pretty decent. Here’s my detailed review of this place.

1) The best part about this place and the rest of the Phuket old town area is its proximity to the bus station and the pier to take the boats to the neighboring islands. However, the west coast and Patong beach might be a little far.

2) The cost of living in this part of town is slightly lower than the touristy side of the town. This will work for backpackers and budget travellers, but not work for those who want to stay close to the beaches and areas which have nightlife.

3) Sleep Sheep is like any other good hostel. It is clean, provides safety lockers, has air-conditioning and fan options, serves a light breakfast, provides laundry options and has a television and reading section.

4) In terms of cost, they charge 220 THB per person for a bed with fan in mix dormitory, 300 THB for a bed in a mixed dormitory with AC and 400 THB for a bed in a female only dormitory with AC. The price includes the light breakfast.

5) The main problem with Sleep Sheep is that their front desk speak very minimal English and hence that can give you a heartache some times, but to overcome this problem, they have written some standard statements in English and kept ready.

The place is ideal for backpackers looking to either explore Phuket old town or who are looking to use Phuket as a base to get to either Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Phang nga Bay or the other islands located around Phuket.

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See India from a different vantage point

India is a must-visit destination for travellers – a whirlpool of exotic food, unique culture and people excited to welcome you. However, travelling a country the size of India can be difficult – especially in a short period of time – making a stress and hassle-free ocean cruise a great way to explore the country.

Before arriving in India, there’s a chance to enjoy the culture-clash of modern Phuket. Whether you choose to be enchanted by the inside of a traditional Thai temple or decide to enjoy the company of some friendly locals – and their elephant friends – Thailand is a great place to relax before immersing yourself on a colonial spice adventure! One of the best parts of an ocean cruise voyage is that after a day exploring the local area, you can always head back to your ship each evening – a sumptuous home-from-home for any traveller.

With an exciting history and a host of things to do, a stopover in Sri Lanka is a great introduction to India. Ancient Hindu mythology says that Sri Lanka was once connected to the main Indian mainland via a natural bridge – but after sea rises and a cyclone, only a chain-link shoal of limestone is left above the water. Sri Lanka offers a range of activities for a visitor, from relaxing on the white beaches, where you can scuba-dive, snorkel or go whale watching to take in the history of the country, which was once ruled by the British.

After a day at sea, the coast of India will rise from the azure waters and visitors will be bewitched by the city of Kochi. Surrounding lush green hills, the port city was a hugely important base for traders, who would sap Chinese fishing nets for the exotic spices which are so central to Indian cuisine. Even today, the city ranks as an important Indian seaport – and the proximity to the coast makes it a great place to try local fish and seafood! Visit the waterfront of the area to find ‘You Buy, We Cook’ – a service where visitors can choose to have their favourite fresh fish cooked to their specifications!

A second stop on the Indian mainland will afford you time to experience Mangalore, on the southwest coast, renowned for beaches and temples. It’s a key site for the export of goods from India – particularly coffee and cashews – and there’s even the chance to see the inside of a cashew factory for those who choose to visit the city. The final docking in India is at the most populous city in the country – Mumbai – a metropolitan expanse where cinema, contemporary art, architecture, holidays and food are all a blend of multiple cultures.

India is wonderful to visit – a stimulating whirlwind of people, places and possibilities which make it impossible to forget. If you’re looking to see the sights of this unique country, why not consider something a little bit different and delve into India from the comfort of an ocean cruise?

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