Tuesday, May 31, 2016

TRAVEL SPECIAL................ Inside the big blue PHUKET THAILAND

Inside the big blue PHUKET THAILAND


With a curvaceous coastline of white sand beaches, strung between jutting craggy rock formations, Phuket is Thailand's most capacious island
I'm in awe of the possibilities that crowd my itinerary in this tropical paradise of Phuket. From the Khoa Sok National Park in the north to the twin west-coast beaches of Kata and Karon, with their adrenaline-spiking aqua sports, Phuket promises the whole enchilada. Add to it the warm embrace of nature at Sirinat National Park, and the spectacular Phang Nga Bay, where sheer limestone karsts rise dramatically out of water and the sea shimmers in deep jewel tones, you're in for a topographical treat.However, if lying around on pristine beaches on a decadent supply of cocktails is your idea of la dolce vita, well, then that's an option too. It's tough to believe that this Eden was ravaged by a catastrophic tsunami in 2004 which killed thousands and battered the region's economy. But recovery has been swift, thanks to governmental prudence and the famed Thai industriousness. As I look around me, I see few visible scars of that past devastation. Only a feisty city throbbing with energy and vitality. The beach town of Kamala -where I'm put up -at the Keemala Phuket resort, nestled within lush woodlands overlooking the Andaman Sea -has sprung back to life admirably.
Phuket's Old Town, a former South-east Asian trading hub, is the island's nucleus.Gorgeous mid-19th to early 20th-century SinoPortuguese and Sinocolonial buildings punctuate the area brimming with spiffy art galleries, cafés and bars. With over 1,000 years of history and archaeological evidence, Phuket also boasts of a rich cultural legacy. “The island was once a popular route for sailors and navigators who traversed between India and China through the Malay Peninsula. These past links still inform our present and nourish our relationship with our neighbours,“ Soraiya Homcheun, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, explains as we sip into a sun downer at the Dream Beach Club at Layan Beach.


SOUL FOOD


If you're a foodie, Phuket will be your ticket to sample big, bold Thai flavours. The best places to dig into flavour-charged fare are the town's atmospheric night markets. The one on Ong Sim Phai Road radiates atmosphere, thick enough to be sliced with a knife.Toothsome Thai and Chinese fare -piquant papaya salad, barbecued pork buns, coconut curry, grilled fish balls and, for dessert, sticky rice with mango -are must-tries here. Don't just stop at just consuming the cuisine though. Sign up for a cook ery class where professional and amia ble chefs will help you master Thai dishes. Dozens of cookery schools have sprung up across Phuket to cater to amateurs keen to learn this art. One balmy, breezy day, we booked ourselves at The Phuket Thai Cookery School on Thepatan Road Rassada for a three-course cooking session. But first, we took a quick tour of the local fruit and vegetable market, where we witnessed a cornucopia of exotic produce being sold by the local vendors and farmers. Attractively displayed galangal, lemon grass, shallots, coconuts, sundry meats, vegetables and fruits made for an olfactory and visual treat.


After the tour, we headed to Siray Beach, where we were given a live demo by a chef on how to prepare the dishes. We also got to sample her delicious cooking. Demo over, it was time for us to put our culinary skills to test. We sidled behind cooking stations (à la MasterChef Australia) and dived into action.First up was dessert -Ka Nom Kluay or steamed banana cakes. As this was a steamed preparation, the idea was to get it into the oven before we moved on to the other two courses. Next was Phad Thai, flavour-charged fried Thai noodles with prawns. Having only consumed it in the past, it was an eye-opener to learn about the gazillion ingredients that go into this signature Thai dish. From palm sugar to nam pla (fish sauce) to tofu, dried shrimps, sweetened radish to tens of other aromaticsspices, this was a feast of flavours.The third dish we made was Kha Kai or chicken in coconut milk soup. Cooking over, we carried our dishes to the tables next to the hissing ocean. And dug into the fruits of our labour, laughing and joking with friends, the air redolent with a thousand aromas.


SHOPPERS' PARADISE


After food, shopping seems to be the next big obsession in Phuket. And there's a trove of exciting goodies waiting to give your credit card the workout of its lifetime here, from Jim Thompson stores hawking fine silks to pop art Buddhas, exquisite crockery, apparel, footwear, handbags, and bric a brac.


If nocturnal is what defines you, Phuket's nightlife will blow your mind. Bars, clubs, and restaurants vie for your attention along with a heaving crush of hostess bars, go-go clubs, “ladyboy“ cabarets and inexpensive massage parlours. Given the plethora of options, here's a tip: spend the day at the beach, then go out at night under a glittering vault of stars for a Thai dinner. Next, quaff a Singha beermulti-hued cocktail at a local bar before hitting the clubs for a spot of wild partying.


Don't forget to sign up for the storied Phuket spa massage, because you will surely need it after a night of partying. At Keemala's Mala Spa, my petite therapist pummelled and pounded all my bodily stress away in a 90-minute session. Towards the end, she tried to give me a few health tips to keep my skin supple. I wondered dreamily if I could take her back home with me instead!


ALL ABOUT PHUKET


CONNECTIVTY:


Phuket offers excellent connectivity from India with many direct international connections available. One can also fly into Bangkok, the Thai capital and take a bus, train or plane to the island city.


WEATHER:


Surrounded by water, Phuket has balmy weather through the year though in December-January nights can be cool which is also the best time to travel. Daytime temperature range in the 30 C range while afternoons can be very hot. Sunglasses, umbrella and sunscreen are a must.


THINGS TO DO:


The island is buzzing with many attractions. You can make your holiday as laid back or as adventurous as you like with beach sports, spas and world-class resorts at your disposal. Shopping is great too at value-for-money prices. Don't forget to haggle, though.

 Neeta Lal

MM22AMY16

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