Indian Ocean - Phuket .

Phuket Thailand.

Our second port of call on our Indian Ocean Odyssey Cruise is Phuket Thailand.

When we wake on Saturday 16^th January, we are already docked at the small, deep, international port at the Phuket Port about 10 klms from the main town Phuket City. It is a huge contrast from this one dock very rural port surrounded by lush vegetation with no housing in sight to that of the major port of Singapore with its vast city and all its beautiful high rise buildings and gardens. There are no container ships here but there are several small local fishing boats motoring by with only one or two local Fishman aboard going out into deeper water to catch their daily supply of fish.

SAILING INTO PHUKET.

Phuket is a small island off Thailand’s long southern coast and it is hailed as the “Pearl of the Andaman Sea”. It is noted for its island beaches, crystalline waters and its forested hills.

We have not visited this island before, so we have chosen to participate in a ships tour aptly named - Island Drive, Wat Chalong and Thai Village.  This tour will give us an opportunity to see some of the natural beauty of the island, as well as experiencing some of the culture and seeing how the people of the island live.

A 45 minute drive through mainly rural country – (which comprises of many small villages, rubber and pineapple plantations and thick natural vegetation) - takes us to the southernmost tip of Phuket known as Cape Promthep one of the most beautiful spots on the island. The breathtaking views out across the ocean are framed by swaying palm trees and up on the large viewing area, position among the large shady trees, there is a small shrine to the Hindu deity Brahma that is surrounded by many elephants of differing sizes and a small old lighthouse and museum.

SHRINE AT CAPE PROMTHEP.

 

CAPE PROMTHEP.

Next we visit Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple Wat Chalong which is the biggest and most ornate of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist monasteries. This complex is made up of 4 temples and many smaller buildings. It is set amongst beautifully manicured and ornate gardens.

WAT CHALONG.

This area is a photographer’s delight – there is a photo to be taken in every direction. We take off our shoes and venture into the largest of these temples. It is pink and gold in colour and both inside and out, has many statues of magnificent golden Buddas. About every 5 minutes the silence of this very serene place is broken by an organised flurry of fire crackers. The local Thai people come to this monastery complex to be blessed by the monks and this is there way of saying “Thank You”.

INSIDE THE WAT. This area was fill of Buddas standing,reclining and sitting.

 

OTHER TEMPLES AT THIS COMPLEX.

 

This tour includes a nice lunch at a large entertainment complex as well as the mandatory visit to the Gem Factory and Showroom. Next on our itinerary is a visit to the Phuket Orchid Garden and Thai Village. Here we enjoy a colourful cultural performance with a medley of dances preformed in covered stage area that resembles a typical thatched and bamboo house. The performer are young and enthusiastic and they are dressed in wonderful colourful national costumes – it is very entertaining and very authentic.

ENTERTAINERS AT THE THI VILLAGE.

 

DRESSED IN NATIONAL COSTUMES.

On our return to the pier, we have an opportunity to do some shopping at the local market stalls that the locals have set up especially for the passengers of the Sun Princess along the dock. We finish a very special and enjoyable day in Phuket, buy watching the sunset as we majestically sail away from this fascinating island.

THE SUN IS SETTING AS WE DEPART PHUKET.\