Patong Beach

Today started with another amazing and leisurely breaky, followed by a walk down to Kamala Beach to help Mum and Dad get their bearings and adjust to the climate. I do love the beach and the sea, but I’m really not a big fan of sand. It just gets in all the places doesn’t it!?

We then adventured to Patong Beach to get James fitted for a suit. Patong is a 20-minute drive south from Kamala and is a popular beach resort town. It is much busier than Kamala Beach with people, scooters and tuktuks everywhere! We wandered down Bangla Road, also known as Soi Bangla, or “never sleep walking street”.

This street was fascinating. It mostly consisted of bars (normal ones plus go-go bars), tailors, massage palors, and shops selling knock-offs. There was the odd gun shooting shed or weed shop along the way. What was most fascinating was the number of people on the footpath trying to get you into their establishment. They were relentless! Though mostly pleasant and polite, they were very eager to get you into their store and not the exact same one next door. Relatively tame during the day, but at night, the road is closed to traffic and is popular for its night market and, apparently, the best nightclubs in Phuket.

A quieter side street, but these were everywhere in Patong.

We ate lunch at an Aussie Bar, partly because they were playing the Warriors game which James wanted but for me, because they gave me a cold facecloth when I walked in which was GLORIOUS. Beers here were significantly cheaper than the resort, between ฿70-90, which is about $3.50.

Aussie Bar, note the fans on the ceiling and the stubby coolers the drinks come in.

Another Aussie themed bar, the Kangaroo Bar.

We spent a bit of time at the tailors and I may have committed to getting a few things made also. Then, my first massage in Thailand! The beginning of many to come I’m sure. This one, a 30 minute foot massage and wow, would recommend. They find all the right pressure points to relax the shit outta you!

I didn’t even laugh at the tickly bits. I did, however, laugh at the “inside shoes” they gave me to wear between the feet washing section and the massage chair section. You’ll see why.
We stay at Patong after the wedding so we’ll explore more later.

We had dinner at the resort poolside bar, a change from our original plan to eat at the rooftop bar because the prices were enormous! Instead, Pad Thai by the pool! We were joined by Uncle Bruce and Atholea tonight who have come over early for some exploring before the wedding. It’s very cool to have all the family over here.