the electric ducks!: Phuket Vacation

As far as beach vacations go, this certainly wasn't what we had expected. Lured by the prospect of the sun, sand and sea, Hubby D and I decided to return to Phuket (we haven't been there since 2008) for the June break.

Our visit coincided with the rainy season, which meant that we had limited opportunities to be out in the sun. Whenever it stopped raining, we took the boys to the hotel pools and to Patong beach. While Kieran was apprehensive about swimming when he was a toddler, Eli in contrast took to it like a duck to water. Even the waves did not deter our little boy who squealed in delight each time he got drenched.

Thanks to my dad who had the foresight to rent a car, our vacation was made much better by the fact that we could travel and did not need to worry about the rain.

The best Thai food we had was at this little unassuming coffeeshop Kopitiam by Wilai at Old Phuket Town. We loved the chicken curry and the sticky rice with mango. We also tried the hokkien mee but their version was too salty for our liking.

We visited the most well-known Thai restaurant in the old town called Raya but I thought the food was not as good as what we had at Wilai.

Our family friend happened to be vacationing at Phuket while we were there and suggested we bring Dad to Kan Eang 2, a seafood joint at Chalong bay. The grouper fish cooked in lemon and chili was excellent and so was the smoked chicken (45 minutes to prepare).

Patong, compared to Mai Khao, was certainly more vibrant and touristy.

Not much has changed from what I remember of Patong from some years back. The heart of the nightlife at Bangla Road appears to be going strong. The No 6 restaurant famous for its cheap and good grub was packed as usual. Taxi drivers still line the sidewalks calling out to tourists with some greeting us in Mandarin for what it was worth.

Dad probably enjoyed Patong more because there was lots to do and see. Of course, this included a must-stop at Limone spa for Thai massage :)