Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, and after spending two weeks on the island, I can completely understand the appeal. The natural beauty is undeniable, nightlife is crazy, and the people are just incredible. Of course the food is also amazing (I could eat Thai food every day for the rest of my life and be completely satisfied). January is also one of the best times of year to visit Phuket. Weather was warm, but not oppressive, and it didn’t rain once throughout the entire two weeks.

The island has a very mountainous landscape, which means that everyone will get a good workout at some point in their vacation. My hotel was built into the side of a mountain, so I had to climb up the equivalent of a 20-story building every day just to reach my room, the gym, and the club lounge. On the bright side, most of the rooms had amazing high views of the coastline.

View from the club lounge at my hotel

I can’t speak for all hotels, but mine did not have direct beach access. Instead, it relied on a massive infinity-edge pool. Personally, I would much rather swim in a pool than in the ocean, so I was perfectly happy. The poolside bar service was an added benefit (although this is Thailand…even the beaches have people walking around to sell drinks). 

I will take a pool over a beach any day

When the weekend came along, my colleagues insisted on showing me a big night out. It started with dinner at a local seafood place that looked more like a pet store than a restaurant. In the front were giant fish tanks where you could catch your own meal. They grilled it up right in front of us and then delivered it to the table. It doesn’t get fresher than that! 
 

The "chef" grilling up our dinner

One of many tasty seafood options at dinner

After dinner, we went to Patong beach for a more traditional tourist experience. As we walked through the strip of bars on Bangla Road, I was amazed by the number of girls dancing on stripper poles. My brother would have loved these places, but I actually found them trashy and uncomfortable. Fortunately, my colleagues did not take me to any of these places. Instead, they booked a private table at a nightclub called Seduction, which was a complete contrast to the bars surrounding it. The clientele was still very casual, but the environment was much more sophisticated. My favorite parts of the experience (besides the VIP bottle service) were the acrobatic performances and costumed dancers on stage. Even though I would not have chosen to visit Patong beach on my own, I’m glad I got to experience real Phuket nightlife.

One of the less appealing bars on Bangla Road

More girls dancing on poles

Performance at Seduction Nightclub

Dancer at Seduction Nightclub

The next day was much more low-key, as I spent some time at a nearby beach called Kamala. Just like everywhere else in Thailand, it is full of bargain massage studios and street vendors selling delicious food and drinks. I timed my visit to coincide with the sunset, which was more stunning than anything I have ever seen before. I have never been to Hawaii, but I would imagine that it rivals what I saw in Kamala. 

Kamala Beach

Romantic (topless) setting at Kamala Beach

Sunset at Kamala Beach

Sun setting on Kamala Beach

Sunday, my colleagues arranged an excursion to nearby Phi Phi Island in Krabi. We started the day super early to catch the ferry, which took about 2.5 hours to reach the island. Most of the trip was in the open seas, but as we arrived at the island, we were treated to the most stunning cliffs that emerged from the ocean like they had been dropped from the sky. There were quite a few secluded caves, which were perfect for kayaking.

Arriving at Phi Phi Island

Spectacular cliffs jutting out of the water

We decided to take a snorkeling trip, which was another first for me. The boat docked and we all jumped off the side into the clear blue water. I have an irrational fear of breathing out of a tiny tube with my face under water, but I calmed myself down after practicing for a few minutes. I was amazed by the number of fish that swam past me as they effortlessly avoided my grip (yes, I tried touching them). When I swam closer to the coastline, I noticed some beautiful corals but I was afraid of stepping on the jagged rocks so close to my next marathon, so I didn’t spend too much time in the shallow waters. 

In order to attract the fish, the workers on the boat were tossing small pieces of bread off the edge of the boat. It worked like a charm and there were literally thousands of fish that surrounded all of us. After this short experience, I am now really interested in taking an extended diving vacation to the Great Barrier Reef. That will be on my bucket list before leaving Asia.

The scene around the boat

Proof that the fish were everywhere!

There's always one guy who tries to catch the fish!

After snorkeling, we returned to the island for lunch and some free time to relax on the beaches. Despite being made famous by the movie The Beach (14 years ago), it seems like they are just now developing Phi Phi Island into an overnight tourist destination. Unfortunately, the seasonality in Thailand makes it difficult for companies to have a successful year-round business.

Finally arriving on Phi Phi Island

Boats lined up along the shore

Our group on the beach!

The sun was beginning to set when we returned to Phuket, so my colleagues took me to a lighthouse on a cliff, which is known for having some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. I was tired at this point, but I still appreciated the gesture. The ride back to the hotel took over an hour, which displayed the large size of the island and the lack of express roads. The entire time, we were basically weaving our way through little beachside neighborhoods that looked surprisingly similar to one another.

Another beautiful sunset in Phuket

My second week in Phuket was just like the first. I looked out from my window at paradise every morning, drank Thai iced tea from the local street vendor (hand-delivered by my extremely generous local friends), and savored evening dinners al fresco by the pool. I can totally see why so many people choose Phuket as a romantic getaway, but I think it is also a great destination for a group of friends or a bachelor party (thanks to the nightlife).

Without a doubt, Thailand is one of my favorite countries in the world to visit, and Phuket lives up to the hype. It has a similar feeling as Aruba, except the nightlife is more over-the-top, the prices are much more reasonable, and the views from the cliffs are even more stunning. Would I go back? In a heartbeat.