Phuket Holiday Packages - Try This During Your "Free-And-Easy" Time Along Patong Beach
Phuket holiday packages (and we know that there are numerous to choose from) usually offer tourists the commercialised package of island hopping, tourist hot spot visits, and the run-of-the-mill cultural show here and there. Oh, and don't forget the customary stop at one of those tourist souvenir retailers that have a "relationship" with the tour operators (the tour operators get a commission from the sales).
As a first-time tourist to Phuket island, any pick of the widely available Phuket holiday packages tours would do well to cover the must-see attractions that the famous island has to offer. However, as most tourists know, getting to know a place on your own at your own pace is how you would truly get to appreciate the local lifestyle. So after you're done with your Phuket island tour, at the very least, leave a day for yourself to enjoy the non-commercialised aspects of Phuket island. Here's what we'd recommend you do (tip: a lot of walking involved):
Resort Phuket
Start your morning off by taking a leisurely barefooted walk in the sand along Patong beach. The combination of the cool sea-water lapping at your feet and the cool breeze will work wonders to wake your soul and work up your appetite for breakfast. Since you've most likely tried your hotel's breakfast spread over the past few days, here's a chance to have what the locals have for breakfast.
Throughout the day, you'll very often see entrepreneurial local Thais plying the streets balancing 2 baskets of goods using a bamboo rod over their shoulders. Some push carts depending on their wares. What they carry is often the REAL good local food that the locals eat. Not those found at the fancy commercialised restaurants. So try stopping some of these sellers to sample what they have to offer you for your breakfast. Try the traditional Chakoi (a light and crispy flour-based pastry fried in oil) or their numerous Khao Neow based Khanom (glutinous rice based dumplings with various toppings).
As the day's temperature warms up, and as more shops open for business, take a walk along the streets within the Patong beach commercial district (try Bangla Road) to shop for souvenirs or gifts (here's a tip: be the first customer of the day to a local shop for discounts. The locals believe that the first customer brings in luck for better sales for the day).
Close to lunch time (or when you feel that you're ready to tuck into some really good food) head over along the promenade to the Patong Municipality Food Court along the seaside-facing Thanon Taweewpong (Taweewpong Road). Don't let the small stalls at the food court deceive you. They've been there for years and they've been responsible for many cases of weight gain!!
While they make international dishes available, you can get those from home. Instead, go for the local dishes. Preferably local seafood dishes. Despite rice being the staple diet for the locals which is taken with accompanying side dishes, it's acceptable to just have the side dishes on their own. Also, the food prices at this food court will usually win over those of the more glamorous and upscale restaurants catered for tourists, so don't hold back.
After a hearty lunch, when the temperature heats up more, there's really nothing that beats an afternoon siesta. And from the food court, you're just a few steps away from the ideal siesta spot. Just beside the food court, you'll find an open grassy field that's scattered with the occasional coconut tree and other shady palms. This area is an ideal spot to take your siesta on straw mats that are available for rent. Just lay flat on the mat and let the warm sea-breeze lull you to sleep. Heavenly!!
Once you've awaken later in the afternoon, wait for a new batch of locals to walk by to offer you their afternoon snacks to try. The locals always seem to have some special and appropriate food to offer you depending on the time of the day! It's pretty amazing.
After the hot afternoon sun has lost its fangs, here's your chance to take to the waters and try out the numerous water-sports available. Do give the boat-towed parasailing a go. It'll give you one of the best views of Patong Beach you'll get to experience. Jet-skiing is also another popular activity among the beach goers.
By the time your water-sport activities are over, most dinner stalls would already be ready to serve you. A stroll along the main Thanon Ratuthit Songroipi (Ratuthit Songroipi Road) will reveal several road-side stalls that offer a wonderful array of local food that will equally match what you had for lunch. Beware of weight gain once again.
To end your leisurely day, just pop into any of the numerous foot reflexology massage parlours for an hour-long session. You'll be absolutely amazed at how the well trained masseurs can make the soreness in your feet and legs from all the day's walking simply disappear. You'll leave the massage parlour with a tingling sensation in your feet as you head back to your accommodation for a good night's sleep.
If you think the night is still young, and that you're in the mood for some night life, head down once again to Bangla Road. You'll be a little surprised though at how much it's transformed since you were there in the morning. The atmosphere along Bangla Road at night is "very festive" to put it mildly.
To summarise this "day-activity-guide", whilst most Phuket holiday packages are fine to be able to tell your friends and relatives that you've "been there, done that", just don't forget to experience the real local Phuket experience on your "day off". You'll truly love it!
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