No Juan Is An Island

The first thing that comes to mind by the mention of Phuket, Thailand are its beaches. Most tourists come to this tropical paradise because it is lined with many beautiful beaches to choose from without going on an island-hopping. True enough, the sandy beaches and clear waters of Phuket offers a refreshing beach experience. But more than these pristine seashores, Phuket also offers other must-see, must-experience places, and activities. Read more about PHUKET BEACHES here.

Visit The Phuket Big Buddha
Bangkok maybe the choice of place if one is up to seeing Buddha landmarks in Thailand, but Phuket has its fair share. At 45 meters high, the humongous Buddha of Phuket is one of the major landmarks in all of Phuket. It is perched atop Nakkerd Hills and is visible in certain viewpoints of Phuket. I love the panoramic view it offers. The Buddha reminds me of some Myanmar pagoda because the Burmese white marble it is made of sparkles when the sun is shining vibrantly during the day.

Go temple hopping
There are many temples in Phuket just like most key places in Thailand. But Phuket’s largest and most revered temple is Wat Chalong. I was surprised that there is actually a lot to see. There is Poh Jao Wat, a temple that houses two statues (Ta Khee-Lek and Nonsi). However, the main landmark is the beautiful Grand Pagoda. It is beautifully adorned with Buddha images and pictures that depict his life story. Chalong Temple is located almost 10 kilometers South of Phuket town and just east of Kata beach in the South Eastern corner of the island.

Walk Around Phuket Old Town
This is my favorite part of my Phuket visit. Phuket Old Town is the provincial capital of Phuket. I like old towns because they reflect so much of a place’s history. One can visit various Buddhist and Chinese temples, stunning and colorful “shophouses”, some street murals, and of course market that sells some cheap stuff. The best way to explore the old town is on foot. It isn’t big so it would be very much manageable to move around.

Turn Your World Upside Down
Baan Teelanka, or Upside Down House of Phuket, is one exciting attraction in Phuket. As the name would imply, this beautiful pink house stands upside down in a garden like setting. Once you enter, you’ll be amazed as to how everything is turned “upside-down.” Posing for pictures would bring out the creative juices in you. I appreciate that their guides have some excellent pose suggestions. I am amazed that even the fishes inside the aquarium are swimming upside down. So cool!

Baan Teelanka is open daily 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Price for the House: Adult 250 Baht, Kids 150 Baht (4 to 11 years old) Price for the Maze 150 Baht, Kids 100 Baht (4 to 11 years old) Tel: 076 376 245

Learn more about Cashews:
I looove cashew nut, so when I was told that Phuket is also known for cashews, I didn’t mind visiting one of its cashew factories. In fact, the Sri Bhurapa Orchid was the first cashew factory in all of Phuket. A stop at this shop will give every visitor an opportunity to be shown around. There are various stations where one can have a taste test of the juice of the cashew nut, an area where cashew nuts are processed, and another one where the nuts are packed. I was so happy to see also various flavored cashew products. True enough, a tour of a cashew nut factory in Phuket is a must for cashew nut lovers like me.

A night out at Bangla Road
If you are a party-person, then a night out at Bangla Road will surely delight your soul. After sundown, Bangla Road gets closed to traffic, and the street turns into a big party place. Restaurant and bar owners will lure you with beer, girls and other forms of entertainment. It surely is a fun-filled district of Phuket!

Learn more about Elephants
I am pretty sure, riding an elephant is on your bucket list. But wait, I hope that instead of riding, why not just visit the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and learn why you should never ride an elephant. I highly support ethical elephant tourism, so I discourage people I meet not to ride on them. A picture with them is more than enough.

Feed Monkeys at Khao Rang Viewpoint
Khao Rang viewpoint offers a good look out over Phuket, its islands and hills. One can also dine in one the restaurants in the area. Just be mindful because there are monkeys here. I have an unforgettable experience in this place when one money attacked me because of the food I was eating. Good thing nothing bad happened to me although for a moment I thought I’d die. Hahaha. So next time, you should have some extra food for these monkeys.

Don’t be a wasted soul, be Juanderlust. take it easy everyJuan.

If you happen to be in Phuket and you want to be assisted with your tour, check out TAKE ME TOUR and their various itineraries. Check on the link! And mind you, they also have other organized tours all over Thailand!