Where Your Dreams Become Reality
PHUKET ATTRACTIONS
Aquarium
To escape the daytime heat or for a family activity to enjoy during monsoon rains, Phuket Aquarium is both educational and fun. Located on the southernmost tip of Cape Panwa, the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) is surrounded by breathtaking scenic bays and islands. Inside the Aquarium, established in 1983 and welcoming around 300,000 visitors a year, you are greeted by 150 different species from freshwater and marine habitats, many specifically from the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
As you tour the Aquarium information is provided through interactive displays, in English and Thai, ensuring you are fully informed about all aspects of marine life and the environment it inhabits. After learning about all the animals and their relationships with each other, you are taken "underwater" as you travel through the large tunnel tank, enabling you to view all the oceans creatures from below, as you are surrounded by huge sting rays, groupers, wrasses, sharks and swarms of snappers.
Science and Nature Trial:
Outside the aquarium there is even more to explore if you wish to take a walk along the nature trail, where you can learn more about the costal habitats and medicinal plants. You will also have the opportunity to observe ongoing projects conducted by the researcher's of the aquarium and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre. This helps you to learn the important role you play in caring for the environment and the oceans.
Big Buddha
You don't need to have any particular religious beliefs to enjoy a visit to the Big Buddha, as the stunning construction measuring 45 metres (150 feet) high and 25 metres (80 feet) wide, can be appreciated by everyone. The huge cross–legged Buddha is layered with Burmese marble tiles, and, although the development is yet to be completed, is an inspiring structure, perfectly located to provide stunning views across the island's south and west coasts. Big Buddha can be seen gazing down benevolently from many vantage points throughout the south of the Island.
To get to Big Buddha it is approximately a six kilometer (four mile) hike or drive (for the less ambitious) up from the access road off Chao Fa Road West, just north of Chalong.
It is important to respect the Buddhist faith when visiting any religious place, so you are recommended to wear conservative clothing, covering shoulders and avoiding skimpy beachwear.
Butterfly Garden & Insect World
Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World was founded in February 1990, and has been improved since then to become one of the best butterfly gardens of the world, designed to educate, conserve and enhance the joy and understanding of the public of the "Flying Flowers of nature". The aim to increase visitors appreciation and to research further the valuable and delicate insects in their natural habitats, aids the breeding and preserving of endangered and rare species with the goal of sending a number of butterflies back to nature to help create ecological balance by letting them breed naturally.
A fascinating opportunity to learn more about these fragile and beautiful creatures.
With around 6,000 butterflies a month (40 different species from all over Thailand) in the 1,350 sqm colourful and attractive outdoor garden, this a fascinating opportunity to learn more about these fragile and beautiful creatures.
Before entering the butterfly garden, you also have the opportunity to visit the Insect World, where you can admire the beetle collection, and view the section of sample insects such as termites, ants, music lover insects, and relatives of insects such as Arachnids, scorpions, and giant millipedes.
Cinemas
If you are tempted by the latest block buster movie then Phuket currently has three cinemas to choose from, although we would recommend either SF Cinemacity Jungceylon in Patong, or SFX Coliseum in Central Festival. The Coliseum Paradise Multiplex in Phuket City specialises more in Thai films and is not as modern and western in design as the previous two. Both the cinemas in Patong and Central show a mixture of the latest Western, Asian and Thai movies. It is important to check the details of the movie carefully before you buy your ticket to confirm the language the movie is in. Western films are either in English with Thai subtitles or dubbed in Thai, Asian films are dubbed in Thai, and most Thai films have English subtitles.
Cooking Classes
Most visitors enjoy delicious Thai food during their stay in Phuket, but if you would like to learn how to prepare some of the mouthwatering dishes you can sign up for a cooking class to learn some of the local secrets. Courses range from a basic introduction to give you a basic taste of Thai cooking, all the way to classes for the experienced cook who wishes to gain experience to greater depths.
The knowledge of Thai cooking is a souvenir that will last your entire life and enable you to re–live your Phuket holiday on the rainiest of days. Thai cooking courses are taught by highly experienced and well–regarded Thai chefs who can teach you about ingredients, techniques and the all–important balance of flavours. Cooking classes in Phuket are available all year round.
Elephant Trekking
The main road from Nai Harn, to Kata is the most renowned area for elephant trekking safaris, with several companies being located on either side of the road.
All safaris offer similar packages, and if you would just like to visit the elephants, and aren't as ambitious as to trek through the forest, you are always welcome to purchase a basket of fruit and feed the elephants a treat.
Fantasea
Fantasea is Phuket's cultural theme park, where the accent is one of fun and entertainment coupled with Thailand's legendary hospitality. It comprises Restaurants, Carnival Village Shopping Street, Theatrical Safari, Entertainment Centre, and culminates in a Las Vegas style Cultural Illusion Show, inspired by the colorful heritage of Thailand.
Island Trips
The thrill of travelling to one of Phuket's many outlaying islands by "long tail boat" is an inexpensive and exciting way to experience how many Thai people travel on the water. The long wooden boats, powered by a single petrol engine driving a large propeller attached to a long "tail" easily glide through the water taking you to many destinations off the shores of Phuket. There is the option of booking a day trip on a long tail boat through one of the many Tour Companies in Phuket, or for guests of the villas it can be arranged by the villa's manager or concierge.
Rawai Beach is lined with long tail boats and single and twin engine speedboats. You have the choice of either boat, but the long tail boats are considerably less in daily rental price than speed boats and are recommended for parties of older children and adults.
The recommended destination by long tail boat is Coral Island, as this has two beaches to choose from, "Long Beach" and "Banana Beach", both offering beautiful long stretches of sand, sun beds and deck chairs, restaurants and toilets, plus a designated area for swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear water.
James Bond Island
James Bond Island, known originally and locally as Ko Tapu or Nail Island, found fame through the 1974 Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun". The film starred Roger Moore and Christopher Lee (as the three nippled arch–villain Scaramanga) but it was the scenic topography that helped make the film into a firm Bond favourite. It also turned the previously unknown Phang Nga Bay into a major tourist attraction.
Simon Cabaret
For a truly unique event that can only be found in Thailand you should experience the extravaganza and glitz of Simon Cabaret, the amazing and incomparable "Lady Boy" Show in Patong.
This musical spectacular combining western showmanship with pageant and dance as performed by the men and "ladies" of Phuket is an exhibition of Thailand's "third sex" at it's most memorable. Definitely a production worth watching.
Mining Museum - Kathu
To find out a little more about Phuket's culture and history, visit Kathu Mining Museum. Opened in August 2009, the museum is located on the road between Loch Palm Golf Club and British International School, with the Sino–Portugese double arch shaped entrance standing out in the jungle covered hills. It is recommended to visit with a guide (or someone who has some knowledge about Phuket history) as, for now, most of the signs and descriptions are only available in Thai.
The museum offers both inside and outside exhibitions:
• Understanding the beginning of the world (with formation of minerals and animal evolution)
• Phuket's people way of life during Tin mines era (approx. 200 years ago)
• Various Tin mining processes
• Demonstration of smeltery, and products made out of brut Tin
• Journey of Chinese merchants
• Reconstructed Kathu village during Tin mines era (Shops, Chinese opera, Opium den...)
• Walk in the mine's landscapes.
Nightlife
When visiting Phuket you have the opportunity to experience a variety of different "Nightlife" options, ranging from little bars with pool tables, dart boards and music found all over the Island and late night Clubs playing the latest dance tracks, to the exotic and colourful selection of bars in Bangla road in Patong and the "girlie bars" and "Ping Pong Shows" that are indeed an incomparable experience!
Bangla Road in Patong is the most well–known stretch of road for lively nightlife, but other places where you will find bars and clubs are on The Villas doorstep in Nai Harn and Rawai, and also in Chalong, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Surin and the Laguna. Below are the names of some of the more well–known clubs and bars that we would recommend, however, if you explore these areas you will discover numerous other bars to have a few drinks and a bit of fun.
Phuket Orchid Garden & Thai Village
Phuket Orchid Garden & Thai Village, located about 2.5km from the center of Phuket City, on the main road to the airport, offers much more than just an Orchid Garden. Thai Dance Shows are performed daily (except Sundays) and elephants are available for riding.
The Orchid Garden covers more that 1,600 square meters, housing a variety of exotic and rare orchids. You are invited to purchase cut orchid flowers, packed in boxes for easy transportation, or enjoy dinner in the restaurant, where a buffet is served. Finally, there is also a handicraft centre where you can watch the artists and artisans of Phuket and other regions of Thailand as they create the products specific to Thailand (examples include pottery making, silver working, woodworking, umbrella painting and straw weaving) - all the products are available for sale and make ideal gifts or souvenirs.
Phuket Zoo
Opened in 1997, Phuket Zoo is a private zoo, not supported by the government, located about 20 minutes from the Villas in an area occupying about 30 rai (12 acres or 5 hectares) of tropical gardens. Offering shade from the sun and a cool environment to stroll along the winding paths, through the many animal enclosure, you have the opportunity to view the wide range of animals, such as the crocodiles, monkeys, camels, ostriches, emus and other rare birds, and have your photo taken with others, such as tigers, pythons, elephants and macaws.
Daily shows with some of the Zoos favourite animals take place at the following time:
There is also an impressive Aquarium accessed through a giant crocodile's mouth. Inside is air conditioned, providing a welcome break from the tropical heat and housing huge tanks of thirty thousand litres of water containing a variety of both fresh and salt water species from around the world.
Seashell Museum
If you are interested in the natural beauty the world has to offer, you will enjoy a visit to Phuket's Seashell Museum, where the Patamakanthin brothers collection of over 2,000 species of unique and beautiful seashells from around the world, built up over thirty years, is displayed. You will see one of the rarest golden pearls, the only left–handed Noble Volute, giant clams, and fossils dating back 380 million years!
In addition to the extensive displays are many products for sale, such as jewellery, shells by themselves, ornaments and decorations and pots, plates and bowls.
Shopping Malls and Supermarkets
There are two main, "western" Shopping Malls in Phuket, look out for the first one, Cental Festival (housing the Central Food Hall), as you transfer from the Airport to The Villas on arrival, on the right hand side, at the major crossroads in the centre of the Island, about 30 minutes after leaving the airport.
Alternatively, the second shopping mall is Jungceylon (home to Carrefour Supermarket), located on the road running parallel to the beach road, one road behind, in Patong.
Both complexes comprise of a large western supermarket, a department store, pharmacies and a selection of international shops and boutiques, all complemented by a variety of local stalls selling souvenirs and products produced from all over Thailand. Additionally, as an entertainment centre, both malls boast multi screen cinemas, a selection of fast food, western and Asian restaurants, electronic interactive games machines, massage shops and or course Starbucks! You could be in any shopping mall any where in the world once you walk through the front doors, so you will easily find what you are looking for and feel at home.
The other two Supercentres located close to Central Festival are, Tesco Lotus and Big C. Again both complexes have large supermarkets supplying western and local products, and many smaller local outlets, pharmacies and restaurants. Considered cheaper than the preceding two shopping malls, Tesco Lotus and Big C are frequented more by locals.
Temples
The majority of Phuket's local population is Buddhist, many people practicing Daoism, usually in conjunction with Buddhism, due to the large number of Chinese immigrants who came to work in Phuket's tin mines during the 19th Century. The remainder of the population, making up about 35 percent, are Muslim, and they tend to populate specific locations throughout the Island. With this in mind, there are many Buddhist Wats (where the monks and nuns live) and smaller Shrines, Chinese Shrines, Muslim Mosques and also Hindu and Sikh temples and Christian churches across Phuket. Although Phuket is now home to many different nationalities, and it is subjected to considerable foreign influences, the Island's temples allow local inhabitants and visitors to remain in touch with religious and cultural backgrounds. Whatever your religious belief, a visit to any of Phuket's Temples can be an uplifting experience.
Thai Boxing
Thai Boxing, or "Muay Thai" as it is known by the Thai people, is the traditional art of self–defense and the national sport of Thailand. It's origins date back to the 15th Century when it was used as one of the battlefield combat methods of the Siamese (ancient Thai) army when defending Thailand against the Burmese. Since then it has evolved through the centuries to become the popular and demanding sport of today. Within the sport any part of the body is allowed for striking the opponent, except use of the head, and punching is considered the weakest of blows. Generally kicking is used to "soften" the fighters and a fight will end with an elbow or knee blow.
In Phuket you have the option to watch Thai Boxing shows, or you can train and learn how to actually Thai Box yourself.
