Phuket, Patong Beach

Oct 9 – Phuket

We leave Koh Phi Phi early in the morning to catch the first ferry to Phuket. Our luggage is rolled by the Hotel to the Pier we hop on, find an empty seat and off we go. The swap is made again with the ferry coming from Koh Lanta and about 3 hours later we are in Phuket. No rough seas which I am very grateful for. There's some commotion around the luggage in Phuket but we all manage to get ours wait patiently for the pick-up and are delivered to Sweet Home Guesthouse which we booked yesterday. Very cheap, only 1000 Bath for three persons and only a few minutes walk to Patong Beach and roughly 15 minutes to Bangla Road the Party street in Patong Beach, Phuket.

Phuket is much bigger than I expected. It takes quite a while to get around and also cross the hills in the middle of the island. And there's apparently quite many sights and activities to be done. No wonder so many tourists return here year after year. We don't have time for any sightseeing since we are already leaving tomorrow for Singapore but what we do have time for is some relaxing on Patong Beach, which we desperately need after the little shock of our room. It's spacious enough but there's a terrible smell and the air in the room horrible. It's on the ground floor with a padlock as a lock. What helps us over are the nice ladies at reception that are truly friendly. And for 50 Baht one even repairs the missing stitches on my backpack. We can't head out quickly enough and take the shortcut they told us to the beach. And there it is... in front of my eyes. A big sign reading: Austrian Garden! And yes, there's a restaurant with a menu that leaves nothing to be desired. Beach first... and then can't wait to come back here for dinner. On the beach I have to inform the girls of the great Austrian food and the amazing taste and convince them easily to go there tonight.

Patong Beach itself is much better than expected. We heard stories of crowds and all the nastiness that comes with it. We are still a bit before High Season so we can rent empty beach chairs and just plant ourselves there until the sun disappears. Ice cream, snack and water vendors come by so there's no reason to even get up from the chair. Except to cool down in the tropical waters. This beach is really amazingly beautiful. There are Jet Skis for rent everywhere and you can Parasail along the beach. That's also a beautiful spot and I could stay here longer, albeit if it were for another hotel.

Back to the Guesthouse, shower and then... drumroll please.... Austrian Fooooood!

I have been gone for over two months so it's ok for me to be craving some Schnitzel. I go for the typical Austrian Menu of Fritattensuppe and Wienerschnitzel. And yes, you would not have though it with a Thai Chef in the kitchen but it's just perfect – or maybe my deprived soul is playing tricks on me and it just tastes so good as I can't remember properly. The sizes are Austrian too so after soup and schnitzel I am overstuffed. But Jonna and Reija went for dessert. Apfelstrudel and Kaiserschmarrn respectively and I just need to try it to make sure they are getting the proper cuisine. And yes, fanastic tastes there too. I am happy! And in true Austrian fashion the people walking by greet us just as they would in Austria. Austrian Garden is a haven in Phuket to flee from Thailand into a tiny tropical Austria. Even the coffee is good, something that never happens in Thailand. Out of curiosity we also check out their rooms and they are beautiful, clean and spacious and prices are very reasonable to. Too late to switch now but a very good one to remember for the next time in Phuket.

Since we are all overfull we more waddle than walk from the Austrian garden. Our next stop is Bangla Road for some drinks and a few market stalls on the way. Same overpriced items here so no shopping again. Bangla road is what you would expect it. A street lined with one bar next to the other souvenir stalls, food courts and other shops in between. Everywhere peddlers trying to make you purchase something or get you into a Ping Pong Show. We walk up and down and everywhere the bars where scantily clad Thai girls dance on tables as if they were asleep. Anyone jumping to avoid a bug is more active than they are. One can see that they are really enjoying their job – not. I am just wondering if anyone actually finds that sexy. They just stand there stomping from one foot to the other barely moving. Who calls that dancing? And who pays to see that? Well actually you don't have much option they are just everywhere and it's kind of included in your drink price. There is other bars where I assume Eastern Europeans are dancing, and yes you could call that dancing. Not many patrons there either though: Still kind of quiet. This place must be heaving in High Season.

We decide to go to a Finnish Club for a drink and then head back. The Club is completely empty but the music is good. So one drink, walking along the beach and beachside roads back to our moldy room for a bad nights sleep.