Backlogged - Phuket

Good bye Chiang Mai, hello rain.



Water Pours off of the OnOn roof

I took an AirAsia flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket with the intention of not only beach bumming, but meeting a friend. Although we met up, we were also met with rain, and lots of it. I just missed the monsoon, but it’s been grey and on-and-off dizzily since I’ve gotten here. (Update: The monsoon comes and goes. Right now it’s lightening, rain, and wind.) On the first night, we stayed at the infamous OnOn Hotel, where Leonardo Dicaprio had the opportunity to watch Daffy kill himself in The Beach. Although the scene was supposed to be in Bangkok, at a grungy hostel, it was actually filmed right here in Phuket Town. The next day, we had the pleasure of meeting an American turned local, as of 21 years ago.

Darryl took us to the Giant Buddah on top a large hill just outside Phuket. It truly was huge. When we finally reached the top of the hill via the water torn road, we were surrounded by misty cloud cover. As it moved over the mountain, patches of clear view were to be seen. One could witness both sides of Phuket Island from one summit. Monks, worshippers, and tourists alike crowded around the giant, marble monument. The climb is quiet, aside from the cliché and completely hypnotizing gong ringing from the top. I’m a sucker for cliché however, and climbing towards a 49M, marble Buddha, perched on top of a hill, atop a large mountain really was awe inspiring,



After that, we found our new place for the evening at Daryll’s home at Friendship Beach. Him and his girlfriend live in a new place, and have many friends. We were invited to a party at Red’s house, a friend of Darryl’s, where we were happy to celebrate Reds’ sons’ first birthday. A combination of food, drinks, laughter, fireworks, and hot air lanterns made for an exciting night. We sat directly on the beach, watching lightening pass to the South. We watched the clouds roll in, and the rain started again heavily, although briefly. Good start, South Thailand.