Relax on Phukets Beaches
Relax on Phukets Beaches
Phuket hotels are some of Thailand’s most luxurious accommodations available. The On On Hotel featured as a youth hostel in the movie ‘The Beach’ and is therefore very popular with backpackers. Basking and baking in the warm Andaman Sea, Phuket is arguably the most famous of Thailand’s beach destinations. Walking around the old town brings to life Phuket‘s tin mining past, and you can imagine the mining aristocracy as you look at the century old mansions. Strategically placed old world cafes and temples add to the old world atmosphere. Phuket town reflects and is representative of the Phuket’s colorful and wealthy past. Connected to the Thai mainland by two bridges, Phuket is like a jewel suspended from the chain of the Thai mainland. A few minutes away, Dibuk Road has the famous On On Hotel. It has an old and rich history as a trading port, mainly in rubber. The old town is quaint and cozy and lends itself charmingly to walking around. Thalang Road was the old commercial centre and the many beautifully preserved shop houses beautifully depict the Chinese and Portuguese slant to architecture then. Today, it is in the forefront of Thailand’s Tourism industry.
A patch of Phuket has been declared as a national park. The Gibbon rehabilitation project in the park is also well worth a visit. Along the same lines, the Sirinath National Park has been established to give visitors a taste of what a mangrove swamp is like. This holds the last remaining vestige of the rainforest on Phuket. A well-marked eight kilometer trail exists from the Bang Pae Waterfall to the Tonsai Waterfalls. This commendable centre takes gibbons that have been abandoned as pets and attempts to re introduce them to the wild. Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is a green haven and is the perfect place for a trek through the verdant forest. One end of the park is a mangrove forest with the salt water swamps.
Celebrate Joyous Festivals
Phuket plays host to many festivals. Recently, many places have initiated water fights as part of the festival. Spectacular fireworks rent the sky. The Thai New Year festival of Songkran is also celebrated. The dragon procession and the sampling of delicacies are special features of the festivals. People of Chinese origin participate in this festival as they perform acts of self-mortification and self-denial in the belief that it will bring them health and peace of mind. One of the most interesting ones is the Vegetarian Festival. Thais wish each other good luck by sprinkling water on each other’s hands. The Old Phuket Festival held at the same time enhances the festive air in Phuket. There are acts of fire walking and piercing. The Chinese New Year is also celebrated with much pomp and splendor.
