Day2 in Phuket Paradise

I love lazy mornings, Jamie... not so much. She did pass the time by playing Bejeweled and letting me sleep, since jet lag finally caught up to me. So Sunday morning, after sleeping in, we headed over to the weekend market, just down the street from where we were staying. However, turned out that is was a night market, so we jumped on the back of a motorcycle taxi and headed to Wat Chalang. 

Wat Chalang is a Buddhist temple, and it is amazing. There is a mixture of tourists, drivers, worshipers, and even a wedding couple. The bride is beautiful in her traditional wedding wear, and the groom looks like Prince Charming. As we enter the temple, after removing our shoes, we are stunned by the beauty of the murals and the many statues of Buddha.

 

My Favorite part are all the elephants!

As we continue on we are assaulted by the sound of loud popping, like gun shots. Our eyes quickly scanned the courtyard, via the window, searching for some chaos, but everyone was calm as day (never got that expression.. maybe days were calmer back in the day??) So we attributed it to a one time occurrence someone light the firecrackers in celebration of the Bride and Groom who looked like they were straight out of a fairy tale, the classics, you know? Like Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty.
Anywho, I've gone off topic, back to Firecrackers. The rest of our time spent there we heard Firecrackers probably 7 times!

**come to find out, according to Phuket.com, & Justluxe.com  the act of Lighting Firecrackers is to show gratitude for an answered prayer and thus celebrating their good fortune**

 

The Lovely Gardens

All in all I loved the simple elegance of this Buddhist temple, complete with all the minor details. If you are traveling thru Phuket I would definitely recommend stopping by Wat Chalang, if for nothing more then a good healthy heart pounding start to your day, when you find yourself a little to close to the oven meant for Firecrackers.

 

From Wat Chalang we hailed a motorcylce taxi and headed up to Big Buddha, which completely lives up to its name. It was quite the hill for our motorcycle to climb with 3 people, but once at the top the view was gorgeous, and the was monks reading scripture over the speakers completed the scene.

 

Heading back home, proved to be quite the feat. Our driver got lost several times, despite his original reassurance that he knew the street we lived on, in "old" downtown Phuket.
We eventually made it after help from some very helpful ladies at one of the resorts, and another kind soul at the market near our place where we were eventually dropped off. 
Times like this I realize how much we are at the mercy of others, and rather then being upset, it is better to roll with the punches and realize we will eventually make it, but at the moment we are having an adventure, and there is nothing I can do, so enjoy. 
I LOVED traveling by motorcycle and would encourage anyone else who is brave enough to trust a complete stranger with their lives, to travel this way as well. 

The Sunday Market was a blast, located on Walking Street, along Thalong Road, the street is closed for the day while everyone sets up for the evening. It was so fun just to wander around and experience the carnival like atmosphere with the food, the dancers and the vendors. (we found more 'handmade' unique things here, then any other shopping in Thailand) The Market doesn't open till 4pm so the vendors all bring lights and make it a night market. The street also has a network of colored changing lights.

 

Such Cute Performers!

Another place I suggest, that we didn't go is The Point by Patong beach, it is the last place the sun sets, and has some gorgeous views. 

We also researched Memorials from the December 26, 2004 earthquake and resulting Tsunami. One that seemed more prominent is an underwater plaque near Tonsai Bay/Krabi. Do your research on this one. It has some cool significance. 

Khao Lak/Phi Phi Island Police boat- another notable memorial is the Police boat that was washed a shore, at the time it was on duty for the Royal family. It was never moved and has since been set up as a memorial.

Buddhism Weekly Holy days are based off the Lunar Cycle, Full Moon, New Moon, and the 2 half moons. Important to know, since many shops, and restaurants are closed on those days... (Info found on http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/147862-what-is-buddhist-holy-day-of-the-week/) 

The magic of phuket

*** sometimes just to keep everyone on their toes! I post things out of order on accident, oh wait! I was supposed to say on purpose. Cats out of the bag, I forgot to post this one, so here is DAY ONE of Phuket!***

Picture this, a ride out to your 'jet boat' from the island, on a long tail boat, followed by jumping onto the ship. Once you're on you head to the bow of the boat (or the stern, whichever is front facing) to soak up the sun and the spray and splash of the sea water below.  The scenery is beautiful, islands reaching incredible heights out of the ocean blue, literally, complete with white sand beaches, and covered in greenery. The cliffs of these islands are fascinating, with all their crevices and overhangs. 

This place is surreal, and the stop-off on Phi-Phi island completes it like a cherry on top.  Colorful boats dotting the bay, markets, offers of massages, beach goers out in full force, the only thing that could make it better is a smoothie. 

Oh wait, turn the corner and your in luck. A smoothie stall with a sumptuous variety of fruit.  Mango is a classic, but watermelon is what you go for, and it doesn't disappoint. After bargaining with vendors, a pedicure, and a stop off for lunch and wifi, you board the boat yet again for the final stretch to Phuket. On board you find your companions are a trio of older adventurers, and a group of college aged vacationers. Both groups keep you entertained.

Arrival into Phuket's port proves to be an adventure, all the luggage is stacked on top of each other, and your fellow travelers rush to get off the boat, which means crossing 2 other boats to get to the dock.  From there we are split into groups depending on where we are headed. You head to old Phuket, a little unsure of what to expect, but it proves to be worth it.  Your hotel is cute, literally, with lots of colors and a 'candy shop meets Hello Kitty' theme, it is worth the stay. 

For dinner you head down the street, the girls at the hotel desk suggested a place, but you can't quite remember what it is.. After lots of wondering you stumble upon Won Changs, a delicious conglomerate  of themes, and food. 

Walking home you pass one of the best restaurants you've ever seen. 'B Cats'. Not only is it a restaurant, but you can also get your quality cat time in as well.. (Something's are better left separate, and I think this might be one of them)