We came to Patong Beach in Phuket so we could go on a scuba diving trip from there. No other reason. Yuriy had been here before and warned me about the tourist crowds, huge resort hotels, American chains, nightclubs, old and overweight white men with young Thai girls on their arms, and seedy massage parlors. All of this was true. The girls at massage parlors in Phuket were dressed up and dolled up and try to drag tourist men in off the sidewalk by actually grabbing them. It was very suggestive and gross.
Most people book a scuba diving liveaboard far in advance. We didn't plan anything. We hoped we'd find a last minute deal when we arrived in Phuket and it worked! All the boats leaving the next day were booked, so we had to stay in Phuket for 3 days before going, but it was worth it for all the money we saved.
We tried to avoid the main beach and enjoy ourselves regardless. We found some beautiful, more secluded beaches a little ways out of the city and some of my favorite things about Phuket were the $1 Nutella crepes on the streets and riding a moped for my first time! More on that later...
- Julia
Soooo many scooters everywhere you go.
We got Nutella crepes and fresh cut fruit on the street probably every day.
