Work has been stressful and tiring every day. I haven't had the time to blog in awhile. Every day was just work and going out to enjoy typical SG life as a Singaporean (eat, sleep, jdrama, shopping, movies). And then me and Hammie had booked a trip to Japan in March end but due to the earthquake and nuclear problems we cancelled the trip. So in the end we booked a trip 3D2N at Phuket through tour agency. The tour included airport transfer 2-way, day tour and tour to Coral island.

Day 1: City Tour, Thurs (31 Mar 2011)
- Arrival at Phuket airport around 9:45am (Light morning rain)
- Meeting with tour guide (Rain seemed to stop already)
Tour guide was seriously very excited haha. Introduced many places and attractions to us. Only 2 of us on the tour van. So it felt very private. We can just go anywhere we like on the van. Convenient don't need to wait for others.
- Followed tour guide's own itinery. (Weather became good! It had been raining the whole week though)
1. T-shirt shop: Followed tour guide's recommendation on T-shirt shop. Bought a few clothes. Nothing much. The tour guide said that it's the cheapest T-shirt shop in Phuket.
2. Jewellery Showcase: Tour around the showcase with a big room with lots of jewellery. Didn't buy anything except for a very nice smelling Mineral shower gel and some cute turtle candles.
3. Tidbits shop: Shopping for tidbits. Lots of thai delicacy and tidbits to try. Bought pork floss, durian chips, tau sar pia. All very nice. Nicer than SG :).
4. Big Buddha: Went uphill to see the Big Buddha which is a project still in construction. Nice scenery and viewpoint.
5. Elephant Trekking at athill-adventures: At first we thought it would be very fun to go elephant trekking. But to our dismay it's really damn scary T_T especially when going downslope! We thought we were going to slip down the seat.. 45 minutes on a really scary ride. Will never try it again. No joke.. We got a suicidal 4 years old elephant called Billy who keep wanting to commit suicide standing so near the cliff..................... He kept walking so near the edge. He also didn't seem to be listening to the rider too. Awfully distracted elephant. He didn't even want to pose properly at the cameras unlike other elephants. Poo.
6. Wat Chalong Temple: Just a short while at the temple since tour guide said it's a shortcut back to hotel. Nothing much just cultural exposure.

3 - 4 Pm
After that we checked in at Banthai Resort at Patong Beach. We were served welcome drinks. I think it was Logan drink, it's really good but too bad we couldn't drink it again. Tour guide helped us to check in. Overall the Resort has a refreshing look and looks newer then other resorts. The resort has 3 swimming pools but unfortunately we didn't get a chance to go swimming during our stay.

4 PM ~
Actually we had planned to go to Phuket zoo today but the zoo closes at 6 PM. Too rush. We had some pineapple rice at the hotel. It was the best pineapple rice I've ever eaten so far.

The weather was still not v.good. Dark skies. Drizzling/Patchy rain. Instead we rested awhile at hotel then went Dino Mini golf park at Karon beach area.

5 PM ~
Since it was still raining a little, we couldn't play Dino mini golf. So we walked around the area near Karon beach. Karon beach unlike Patong has less ppl I think. Bought a swim suit for the next day. A bit of window shopping. When the rain ceased we went to play Dino mini golf. I thought this place was overly rated. Or maybe because of the wet ground after the rain it was hard to play and less fun. Well nothing much we finished the golf course in around an hour or so then continued walking around Karon beach area. Caught a glimpse of sunset. After that we took a taxi to JungCeylon one of the most popular shopping center in Phuket. Window shopping again. Nothing much. Mainly clothes and handphones.

9 PM ~
Went back hotel to have dinner this time room service because the wait time was long -.-. We had Pineapple rice, Fried Rice, Sweet and sour fish. The fried rice was really good one of the best I've eaten.

11 PM ~
We watched a movie 'Knight & Day'. I fell asleep 3/4 of the show.

Day 2: Coral Island (1 Apr 2011, Friday)
- Breakfast (6.30 AM~ 8.30 AM)
Nice breakfast. Scrambled eggs were the best I've ever eaten.
- Van pickup (8.10 AM)
Pickup at various places. Then we reached the jetty.
- Meeting with tour guide
- Wear Life jackets
- Speed Boat to Coral Island! Weather seemed to be much better than the day before. Sunny.
- Briefing by tour guide on activities
- Snorkelling
Saw some fishes in schools. Didn't sight any coral reefs. Felt dangerous and challenging to go beyond 3 metres. The waves were strong and kept pushing us back.
Anyway after playing very long in the water we went to change.
- Started raining (showery)....
- Lunch: Fried rice, sandwiches, Sweet & Sour Fish, Vegetable soup, omelette. Their fried rice is awesome.
- Rain became less. Went to walk around the beach where there were parasailing activities.
- Rain stopped
- Walked along the beach looking for seashells but most were broken and we didn't find any complete ones.
- Went back to tour group area.
- Lie down under the sun with some shelter.
- Close my eyes and nap. Felt so good just lying there and resting. Watch Japanese kids building sandcastles. Watch other ppl playing.
- 1 PM: Coffee break
- 2.30 PM: Speedboat back to Phuket.
- Arrived back at hotel around 3 plus.
- Rested awhile then walked around Patong beach area. Window shopping.
Hmm.. They actually sell weapons along Patong beach. Batons and knifes. Fake guns that look real.. Explored other hotels/inns like Patong Beach Resort, Holiday Inn. Still prefer Banthai..
- Couldn't find any food to eat. Back to hotel.
- Dinner at hotel room service: Salmon, Pineapple rice (again, yes), BBQ ribs.
- 8 PM~: Massage at SPA.
- Back to hotel

Day 3: Back to SG
- 6.30 AM: Buffet breakfast for 1/2 hr. The Beehoon and Miso soup are the best I've ever had. Cannot be compared to SG.
- Transfer to Phuket Airport.
- Window shopping at Airport. Nothing much. Long queue when checking in flight.
- 15 massage at Airport.
- Back to SG.

Review
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Overall our trip to Phuket was a very memorable one for us. It was a Short getaway. Nice change of environment. Relaxing. The food is great. We stayed away from Hot/Spicy food. We want to go again maybe at the end of the year. Probably try out Phi Phi island or Nga Bay area/James bond island. I'm not that interested in the culture but the places has a nice seaview and the people are quite hospitable. The impression I get from Phuket is that as long as you have the money/time you can do whatever you want. It's a place with more freedom than Singapore and also many nationalities down there.