Southern Thai: ภูเก็ต Phuket Revisited Part Last

Woke up groggily... looked right looked left, did he fell of the bed? Then I remembered... hihihih

Okay, lets go out and see what Phuket city has to offer.

The mini garden.. I saw opened windows.. woo hoo, im not the only one!

Walked down straight to the other bus station's direction. Arrived there, and its definitely not it. Saw lots of "buses" but none to the airport. Great! Now I def have to take the cab.

The "station" is in front of the wet market area on the main road. Its just a halt, where the tuk2 buses stop and wait for the passengers.

There's 4 types of buses going to different directions. Blue, green, red and yellow. The destinations is written on top of the bus. Most of the times its in thai.. So good luck with that.

Taxi it is then for me. Okay, now lets walk around the city.. First stop, the wet market. A typical asian wet market with several floors selling different thing. LG is for the food court, flowers and sundries (onion, spices, etc). The G floor is for meat, and the 1st floor for clothing etc.

Flower market..

Oooo roti canai! Halal guidance - look out for the star and crescent sign on the signboard.

Darn it, its 9am, what to do? I've walked around the chinatown already yesterday.

Walked a bit, around the Siamese temple.. then jsut sit there and did my sudoku under the banyan tree... Enjoying the morning.

Reminded me of my boss, I used to argue with her, empty vessel makes the most noise." she retorted, but at least it moves faster.. maybe you should unload a bit and be noisy once a while.. I believe you could go far! Stop clinging to your knowledge.."

"Plus these empty vessels are the most resourceful one, they know who can do work and willing to do work for them.. Look around, stop sleeping! It kills me to see the good one keep on falling behind."

I know she was right "but in order for me to achieve that, I have to loose myself. I did that for 5 years and became very unhappy. There's so much thing in life than chasing positions.. plus i lack experiences, a boss I could be, a leader I could not..yet"

"Till when??"

Hmmmm.. shrugg off. Im playing my card slowly this time..

Wow, what's up with this temple???

Dengar tu yeah, sentiasalah berlapang dada dan jauhi iri.

By 10 I was back to the hotel. Only this time I see a lot of people, and I bumped into next door's neighbour going out. Put my key in...

"Oh almost forgotten, taxi" went to the receptionist. Different girl, bubbly and cheerful, with perfect english...

"I need a cab to the airport.." give details, she made a call..

"Oh sorry sir, they couldnt make a pick up today."

"Where could I get the bus to the airport?"

"just down the road.." showed the place on the map, it was the first bus station. "Better by bus, easier and cheaper BHT85 only. You can cath 2pm bus."

TQ

"First time here? So you're from Kuala Lumpur, I just got back from there.. I stayed at Trader's."

Laa yeke, sebelah opis saya jer. We made small talk.. Back to the room, with 3 hrs to kill. Where did I put my swim short? Urgghh I didnt bring it. I only have beach wear.. Forget it..

Watched tv and took a nap. Woke up, packed my stuff, checked out..

Walked towards the bus station. Looked better at day, but there's still a lot of touts around.. Looked around and read the ticket counter's destinations.. Airport, airport, airport... shit none!

When I was about to give up, I saw an info booth all the way down the station. Walked towards there and I turned my head to the left and by accident I saw the sign. Airport shuttle! It was posted at the outer wall. Like wtf! If there's a bus blocking your view, thats about it... At first I waited in fornt of the wall, but its hot, so I moved inside the station.. and there's quite a number of tourists.. looking for the bloody bus as well.

So we waited until 2.10pm. Then the bus came. Its a small bus. And it stops everywhere! The journey took about 1 hr. And about 10km from the airport I smelled burnt rubber.. I was like.. sudah, do I have to walk? It was in the middle of nowhere.. Luckily the bus arrived.

Then, we were greeted by the long queues. The first one was the security before the check in. As usual, got a lot of brainless russians/arabs trying to cut queue. One arab group managed to slip right in front of me.. I was fuming mad, and were about to inform the security : "terrorist", but I was like, what if they're on the same flight with me..

I had my revenge later. While they queued up for check-in and immigrations, I whizz through like a fcuking VIP

Good luck commoners.. I have an usherette to bring me to the waiting area, passed the immigration and second security.

I had 2 hrs to kill, gobbling as much as I could and waited and waited,

had a chat with Dave.. he's still in Phi Phi and he went to the maya bay this morning..

Finally the plane touched down.

Kinda stupid and embarassing sitting there in an aquarium. Everyone who walked by will see you.

Boarding time..

Got into my sit..

The refreshment was served. "Would you like a champagne?"

Are you nuts? "Orange juice please.."

Okay, whatever youre saying, I'll follow...

I remembered last time I did this, i got scolded by this stupid malay, "hey bangsat, ko ni tak hormat alquran langsung" (he thought I was stepping on alquran's verses).. like wtf are you talking about? suruh belajar bahasa inggeris tak mahu.. arab pun fail.. buduh.

Over the cloud. Bye Phuket.

Mencekik lagi? saya dah kenyang... Tetapi memandangkan nak membalas dendam sebab masa naik AA haritu takde briyani (ada ka dia ganti briyani aku dengan nasi lemak - twice), kugagahi juga mencekik.. AA cakap dia dah discontinued nasi briyani, pas tu a month after that aku tengok kawan aku sedap ja makan briyani atas flight.. brengset betul. terus ban AA.

uneventful flight.. about 7 people in this section. and it was only 1hr 20 min journey, compared to 1hr 50 via MH or AA.

What? Tak sempat nak tengok tv.

Oh, hi office. Youre still there...

By 7.45pm (Malaysia time 6.45 thai time) we landed.

Then disaster.. I changed my SIMcard to my malaysian card, and everything got curropted. EVERYTHING. Reached home, I had to restore from the backup. As a result, I lost all my pictures taken by blackberry, bummer (mostly candid and info type). Not to mention all chat histories.. huhuhu.

THE END. Like for real. Until next trip.

Southern Thai: ภูเก็ต Phuket Revisited P1

Final Leg before KL. Last time I was on the west side (Patong, Kammala), this time im on the east side (city - chinatown).

Cont from last entry..Because I was officially done with backpacking, it's time for a little bit of splurge.

Finally a bed with many pillows and the best thing is I wont be awaken in the middle of the night to brush the sands off the bed!

Ohh, swimming pool right outside the room. The building was a refurbish old building right in the middle of the Chinatown. It has the old grandiose feeling abt it.. although, there's some eerie feeling about it.. the feeling when you're in the huge old building... quiet and old.

Too quiet though, i hardly hear any activities around... am I the only one in the whole hotel.. hmm lets see..

Looked at the pool: empty
Opened the door and try to hear your neighbors: nothing, not a squeak
Went to the restaurant downstairs: no one...

Went to lobby: No one.
Reception area: No one.

*hmm twilight zone..

Oh well, I saw a scale next to the reception area. Weight in, and then I heard someone ...

"Oh sir, anything I could help you with?" the receptionist was there out of nowhere. Oh dear, am I in a Siamese horror movie or what.

"Yeah, do you have a map?" nervously I said. Then I saw the "trap door" behind her into the main office. Phew.

"Here you are, we're here.. and here is the placce of interests.. etc etc" she was very helpful. I guess its because I was the only one around."What time is your flight tomorrow?"

"5.20p"

"I could arrangge a taxi for you..."

"No thanks.." actually I wanted to but its rm60. Although Im in a splurge mode already, but there's still a thrift side of me screaming on how insane I would be to go for the 60 ringgit ride compared to 8.50 by bus.

The mission that night was actually to find the bus station to the airport. According to the map, there's 2 bus stations, one for out of town/interstates and the other one is within Phuket (patong/kammala/etc).

The interstates is in B, whereas the one within the island is in C. So I started walking towards B. Reached there, but couldnt really see the bus destinations properly. Saw 4-5 ticket agents approaching me, made my way out as fast as I could.. buzz off.. Maybe the idea of the taxi is not bad at all.. hmmmm...

I was planning to go to C the next morning anyway, so I just walked around chinatown (red route), exploring Chinatown at night. I would say the Chinese here were like the one in Lanta/Penang. Mostly nyonya type.

The shophouses also reminded me of Penang. Whats more.. there's kancil there.. Im home! woo hoo..

Most of the shop were already closed (7.30++), so I just walked around.. No intention of buying anything anyway.

This entry could be a short one.. no argument or anything.. hihihihi

So just enjoy the pic okay!

If there is a thing to buy, this would be it.. Cute little motorcycle.

Obviously there's nothing much to be done that night, so its time for me to find some place to eat.. walked up, down, left right, hmmmm no restaurant, or street food... so, we're not in Penang after all.

finally I saw one little cafe. Ordered some "Penang seafood fried kuey tiaw".. this could be interesting... Ordered it.. and its arrvied and I ate it.. I would say its good. Fresh prawn, not so spicy. crispy taugeh.

Then I headed back to the hotel. Saw the under construction building right next to the hotel. Hmm abandoned building next to my room, this should be interesting..

Again the lobby etc were dim. They already locked the main door actually. Had to use the side door. Its only 10pm. Went to bed, watched tv and fell asleep...

Woke up thirsty and need to pee... went to the bathroom, out.. had some water... went back to bed, looked at the clock next to the bed.. 2ish in the morning.. shut my eyes.. it was total dark.

"kruek.." opened one eye.. as if I can see anything lah kan.. but not for seeing just to be awake so that I could confirm the noise.. seconds later another noise... from upstairs.. like someone moving the chair...

Great.. here too? So I did what I always do: speak softly at the direction of the noise "Oh hi, could you turn down a bit, Im trying to get a sleep.." in English, not less.. hiihihihi

Then i went back to sleep. Listening quietly for a while, but the noise was gone. Nite...

Southern Thai: หมู่เกาะพีพี Ko Phi Phi P3

Managed to wake up early to catch the sunrise though.. woo hoo. Well, I was a bit early, and waiting for like forever for the sunrise, so i went back to sleep.


Then I woke up again at 8.00, awaken by the noise actually. I told him my plan (do nothing till 11), so he left to the beach.. and I continued my slumber vacation, lying in bed whole morning, solving sudoku twice.


By 10, we were ready. I'm heading to Phuket, while he'll stay for another day or two. But because the chalet is far from everything, he decided to check out as well and find something near the town.

What a beautiful day it was! I wish I could stay another day, but Im scared I'll miss the boat to Phuket tomorrow, and will miss the flight back home.. hihiihih.


We had breakfast/brunch at the restaurant. He has the yogurt above. He said it was good. I had pineapple fried rice. FINALLY, when I were about to leave, something good for my tummy.. Yum Yum.


And the tall watermelon slush was so oh heavenly.. as if all the constellation lined up and made today a perfect day.. hmm mmm.. After breakfast it's time to leave.


Here goes nothing.. Snap some last pic and we headed down the stairs.


Down down down. and from one end to another. By the time we reahed the end of the beach and to the entrace to the hill (to town) I was already exhausted. Omigod, could we take the boat.. of course he wouldnt havve any of it.. added to the chagrin. SO I went to auto nag mode. Another argument ensued..


U rip my wallet boat ride.

Seriously by then I felt like leaving him there and then. When we reached the town I told him this is it. Nice knowing you. You go your way, and I'll headed to mine. In tears I walked slowly towards the jetty...


Well, that would be great story if its for the valentine day. But in real life it never like that. I hope you guys dont fall for that.. suckerss...

What really happened was when we reached the town, he headed for the hostel to put his stuff, and I went to the travel agent I saw yesterday for the ticket. We agree to meet at the pier in an hour. I got the ticket for 2pm. Praying it wont sank.. then the nice agent said, "look out for the biggest boat in the pier, Sea Angle cruise.. Do you need ground transportation in Phuket."

The thrift side of me won over, I turned the offer down (on which I would regret later). Said thanks and left... and walk towards the pier.


And yeah there's a mosque here.. Kinda weird when you see topless women, and then you heard the muazzin calling for prayers...


Not an hour yet, so, I walked around, looking for souvenirs. Bought some fridge magnets (SKin & aya. magnet korang tu penuh keringat dan ayer mata tau!)


Almost time, I got back to the pier.. and wait. and wait.. and wait.. sitting, standing, how long? well, long enough for tourist to think I'm the ticket agent there...

Wait I was.. okay he's not coming.. I leave to grab some drinks, then i felt a pat on my back... turned around... "Oh hi.."

"Sorry I was late.."

True story :p


So we sat by the beach right in front of the jetty. Didnt talk much. I was busy with my sudoku. Then it was time for me to leave. We headed to the boat.

"I'm sorry for loosing my temper a lot while we're travelling together." he apologised.

The devil inside me was like - Is he playing the reverse psychology game? As far as I could remember, im the one who nag a lot. "Apology accepted. So this is it.."


We bid goodbye. Part of me know this would be the last encounter ever.. He said he'll be back to KL in may-june. But I told him, there's no more air asia to europe. It's cheaper for you to travel from Bangkok...

"Maybe I'll see you in UK?" he suggested..

"u,oh, I hate the fucking country, not gonna happen.." kan orang dah offer olive branch, aku hinjak2... But hey, I was just being a realist.

In this life, some friends stay, some come and go, others never to be heard again.. Ce'st la vie..

Final chapter has been unfolded. From here, I travel solo.

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Pengembarran bersama sudah berakhir
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Before the boat moved, I was sitting inside the middle deck (it's 3-4 layer decks), hmm, kinda empty.. I loiikkeee.

Suddenly, at 2.00p, out of nowhere, there's load of koreans joining in. Where did they come from? Did I missed asian beach or something? Oh well...

Then the boat moved and the music started.. and the fucking captain chose this song by Michael Jackson..

Sick or what? Im so not in a mood to be mellow...


So I moved to the open upper deck. And decided to tannenised (is there such a word) the rest of my body. So I went topless. And put 130spf on the burnt part...nope, still doesnt work... still half cooked.


my tan look like this. hideous!


Btw, I still got full bar on my phone while we were in the middle of the ocean. Strong signal indeed. Remember folk : AIS. RM5 starter pack :p

After about 1.5 hr we arrived at the phuket island. The contrast was striking.. from turquoise blue water to green mossy.


Then we went though the river mouth. The water is murkier and the smell.. reminded me of Penang. hihihihi.


There's 2-3 jetty in Phuket and the one we stop by was not the main one. So there's no public transport. Now it dawned to me the decision I made is already biting me... Checked google map.. It was 3.5km. Okay 3.5 km is nothing (i thought). Lets walk...


After an hour walk from A-B under the heat and pollutions really take a toll on my already weak body. There's a couple of tuk tuk ready to stop and took me to my destination, but I was adamant to get it by myself, by foot. Have to finish what I started.

I was soaking wet, aw KFC along the way, tempted to go... but i keep on going because im running out of battery. When I finally reached the Phuket Road. I went down the direction as directed.. But the number on the shop keep on getting bigger. The hotel address is 2, phuket road. but Im now in 369 (348 across the road).... Hey it google maps, it never make mistake. (turned out it was beta)

Now I had two options, continue walking down for another 300m until the destination on the map or follow my instinct to go on the other directions. I took the third option, went into a pastry/cake shop and ask for direction from this young and cute girl. Luckily the email I had was written in Thai and english.. She wasnt sure about the hotel, but by address she could confirm its the other way.

Damn you google map. Said khap khun kup and made my way up. and the phone completely died by then. Now I got nothing to refer to but instinct. Few crosses and roundabouts later the number seems legit. Imagined I had to go all the way from 348 to 2. Thats 346 shops I had to pass by. 84... 62... 46... 28. then I arrived at the "dead end". Fudge... there's a river across and the road name and numebr was missing afterward. So close yet so far. If not I already prepaid for the room, i would have walked in other hotels scattered around.

Luckily there was cyber cafe right in front of me (harap tak kena rotan pegi cc). Paid rm2 for an hour, bought lipton tea and started googling the info. Turned out it was behind the cafe (its a T junction, I took the wrong road). And yeah mr google map, the direction is in C, not B!!! TQVM for making my life a living hell.

Spent an hour in the cafe, hey I already paid for it... and made my way to the hotel.. Arrived there at 6! More than 2 hr walking..

Checked in and for the first time, had the proper shower ever after like 10 days.