Phuket with the Girls - Where to go and what to do

When we visited Phuket a few years ago, we stayed in Karon Beach for 3 weeks, which was perfect for a nice quiet holiday.

Based in Karon Beach and using Patong as well, we booked quite a few trips including:

A speed boat ride out to Coral Island, where we went snorkeling.

A boat trip out to Phang Nga - James Bond Island, saw the big Sleeping Budda at Suwannakuha Temple, Koh Panyee the floating village - we stopped here for lunch which was delicious.

Elephant trekking

A weekend stopover in Kho Phi Phi where we took a long tail boat out for some more snorkeling and had a picnic on a deserted island. We stayed right on the beach in huts, very well equipped and had a night out in the beach hut bars!

A night out at Simon cabaret (this is an excellent show!)

A night out watching an authentic Thai Boxing match

Most days we would get a tuk tuk to Kata Bay to sunbathe and do some water sports and we spent many a leisurely day just soaking up the sun and swimming in the sea whilst feasting on iced sticks of pineapple sold by the lovely Thai lady who wandered down the beach!

There are also some great little bars in Karon to enjoy a Mai Thai or three and have a game of Jenga with the bar staff, or like us maybe just relaxing by the pool with a cocktail in hand (remember to drink plenty of water as well!!) Thailand has such a luxurious feel to it and the cost is a fraction of many other countries.

In the evenings we would head into Patong which is only a short tuk tuk ride from Karon and is a lively environment – with a multitude of bars and clubs etc.

On one occasion during our holiday, we’d arranged for a taxi through our reception at the hotel, the driver picked us up and took us all over Phuket, including local temples, jewellery manufacturers and the cashew nut factory for a tour.

No doubt the cab driver is on some kind of commission from bringing you along, but it was a good day out and for only approx GBP10.00!

During our holiday we also drove down to Prom Thep cape to watch the sunset, it's really most dramatic and something you'll remember forever, tourists and locals alike gather at the point to watch it.

We also took a day out to go shopping in Phuket town – amazingly cheap and lots to choose from. Although the sizing makes one feel a bit on the big size as the Thai women are a lot smaller than a robust Scottish lass!

One tip though, got some weird looks on the plane home, my sister had just given birth and I got a large ‘cuddly toy’ for my new niece… trying to travel through Bangkok with a big stuffed teddy is not the best look!

I have some wonderful memories from my visit to Thailand and hope to go back and revisit some of the places I loved so much.