PHUKET.

PHUKET – the green hill by the Andaman Sea

…” Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey”…

P. CONROY

This was supposed to be a completely different blog … A completely different story … It was supposed to be a completely different June …

The life of someone who is traveling, is very different from the life of so-called tourist or „holiday-maker”. The last ones usually enjoy rest by staying in hotels, often in huge resorts, which are able to perfectly take care of the entertainment of their client’s day. Ready meals, swimming pools, guarded beaches, the possibility of using bars with colorful drinks with no limits, and a lot of other attractions, it’s all available to someone who just wants to relax. But…

But there are probably as many ways to relax, as many people willing to travel. What then makes us – travelers different from people just going on vacation? First of all, the fact that we are prepared in advance for any inconvenience. And when I write: for all the inconvenience, I mean really uncomfortable and maybe even unpleasant situations. Changes in plans, unexpected lack of transport, self-care for every detail … The ability to cope in circumstances, when these details turn out to be underdeveloped … You could list such aspects endlessly.

Does showing these differences aim to assess, that someone has a better idea for a vacation and someone has worse? Yes and no. I generally respect everyone’s personal choices. Everyone has different reasons, expectations, standards, funds … However, in my opinion, being a kind of traveler allows you to see much more, experience more and, above all, definitely learn more. And for me, knowledge is the key. The price for gaining such experience is sometimes quite high. It is because, when you return from such a trip, you are probably more tired, than after a month of hard work 😂🙈🤷‍♀️

Why then? What for? – Someone may ask …

This is my dear all, addiction. You can’t name it otherwise, you can’t compare it to anything else … Whoever once tried such a way to explore the world, and will like it, is done … From now on, no matter how very unfavorable conditions there will be, will plan next trips …

Exactly twenty years ago, I got on a plane for the very first time in my life. I had 12 hours flight time, from Vienna to Kuala Lumpur, and from there to Phuket, an island in the Andaman Sea, belonging to Thailand. After these twenty years, I was gonna go to the Kingdom of Thai for the second time. This time, my destination on the map of Asia was to be Bangkok and surrounding towns …

Unfortunately, a month before departure, at the beginning of May the memorable coronavirus year, one morning I received another email, with another canceled flight, to another country … Although I was expecting this of course, even though I knew, there was no hope, after reading the information about the canceled trip, nothing but many, many, indecent words appeared not only in my head but also in my mouth …

What was left for me then?

I remember my super confused eyes at Vienna’s Schwechat airport, very well🙈 . Although I was not traveling alone, but in a fairly large group, nevertheless, the fact that we have to travel almost 9,000 kilometers, worked on my imagination in a variety of ways 😀 From fever, light panic to some kind o happy hysteria. Probably that is why I didn’t really sleep all the way to Kuala Lumpur. And let’s also remember, that twenty years ago, flights was a bit different … There were other safety rules, different baggage rules, etc., etc. In a word, let’s just say – it was easier …

Anyway, I knew from the first minute, that an amazing trip was ahead. It felt right after leaving the plane at the airport in Phuket. We were struck by hot, humid air, completely unknown to me at that time … The hot tropical climate could be felt from the first moments. The climate, that has forever remained as one of my favorites 🥰🌞🌴

We stayed back then at the K-Hotel. Today this place is called „Hangout by Kly”, and I can still recommend it with an honest conscience, even now, after so many years ;), it still has very good reviews :). The price included delicious breakfasts. It is located very close to the well-known Patong beach. The location here is very good, to the nearest Patong Bus Station, you can walk within 15 minutes. This is definitely one of the cheapest options for getting around the island. Is the fastest? Not necessarily, it’s probably best to rent a scooter when it comes to time. But of course, you can not fail to try the famous Thai vehicles, called: tuk-tuk: D.

Nearby, apart of the local Chalong Temple, you can also find shopping centers, Phuket FantaSea cultural park, and Dino Park mini Golf. Ethical Elephant Sanctuary is definitely worth recommending, where you can admire the elephants in their natural environment. With limited time, you can also try a few hours trip to the most characteristic places of the island, organized bus.

You cannot forget about the neighboring, beautiful islands: Hong, Krabi or Phi Phi. Wonderful nature, beautiful landscapes, Asian exoticism, peace, and tasty food, all this is still waiting in this region for those, who have not had the opportunity to admire it, as well as for those, who was impressed after the first visit.

Already back then, together with my group, we organized everything ourselves, transport, meals, accommodation. We survived the trip to the jungle, drank water straight from the coconut, met the natives, and we experienced their daily lives. A life, that might seem at least strange to everyone … Daily visits of tiny lizards at home, amazing tropical downpours, exotic insects all around, are just some of the „attractions” of everyday life in the Far East 😀 I am convinced, that a lot has changed in Thailand during these twenty years. The whole world has changed absolutely … Apart from the tragic tsunami in 2004, many different aspects, especially tourist ones, must have changed. For better? Unfortunately, I do not know that, and at the moment I cannot verify.

However, you can easily find all the information you need about Thailand on the internet. I recommend sites: Tourism Thailand and Global Travel Mate (option on the theme of Thailand). But most of all, I highly recommend Piotr Pajak’s YouTube channel – Warrior Travels 🙂

Traveling to Thailand at the time, in literally another world, I had only a few European countries on the list of visited places. I knew from my own experience beaches from this area only, mainly this cuisine, culture, and mentality. At that time, I already knew how Austria, Hungary, France, and Italy taste. Thailand was a breakthrough for me when it comes to travel. A breakthrough, that allowed me not to fear big distant trips anymore. And despite the fact, that my next trip to Asia took place after almost fifteen years – to Bali, back then in the year 2000, I knew that I would definitely return to these regions. And I’m still convinced, that I will 🙂