After two relatively long flights, and traveling through two time zones, we arrived in Phuket around 20h00 local time. Luckily the flight was not very full, so we cruised through passport control and customs in record time. We did not book a rental car this time so we had to get a taxi. When you step out of HKT airport you will see various taxi stands. I suggest that you Google the distance you plan to travel and compare that to the prices the taxi companies have on display. We had to go to old Phuket Town which is about 30 kilometers from the airport. We paid THB650 for two people which equates to the same amount for the same distance traveled at home by Uber.
We stayed at the Rommanee Boutique Guesthouse as we had to be at Rasada Pier the next morning. We had a very nice room with air-con and Wifi for only $9 (check it out here: https://www.booki.ng/2hgE828). The hotel is very central, and you will have all amenities in your immediate environment.
After checking in we were in dire need of a meal that was not pre-packed for planes. We walked about 50m and stumbled upon Yoy Pochana Restaurant - a local gem. It is a relatively small restaurant with about 10 tables. The menu has a big variety of proper Thai dishes, and the taste is 100% authentic. We ordered three dishes to share and two large Chang beers. The bill came to THB500 (ZAR200/$15). If you ever visit Old Phuket Town, this is the place to eat.
We were proper stuffed after the feast we just had, and were quite tired. Before heading back to the hotel we had the urge to walk a little bit further to see if we recognised the streets from our previous visit in April. As fate would have it, we walked passed a bar - Rock Angels. There was no one inside, but the owner and his counterpart bass player were ready to play some tunes, and were quite excited for us to come in. We ordered a night cap, and what followed was the most soul-satisfying blues. Minutes later, a Thai couple joined us, and after them a French couple. We started talking with the Thai couple and ended up spending the rest of the night with them. We had brilliant conversations, and I even received a potential job offer. All in all a successful first night back in Thailand. If you want to hear my husband's point of view, check him out Hive account@stephb.
I will be posting a series of blogs on our time here in Thailand with the aim of inspiring you to travel too.
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