Here it is, the final of my posts from 2015’s trip to Thailand. Expect some posts from 2016’s trip in a few months time, but I think it’s likely I’m going to move off travelling for a while and post the results of the portrait shoots I’ve also been working on.
Phuket … Patong especially, is a place that I think I’ve fallen in love with. It’s brash and loud and a tourist hot spot. Why would I like it so much when there’s so many other beautiful places in Thailand? Well, I don’t especially subscribe to the backpacker ideology – in fact, I find it often far too self indulgent. If you’ve ever seen ‘The Inbetweeners 2’ you’ll have an idea what I’m talking about. Instead, Patong despite it’s tackiness and obvious tourist traps I find to be somewhat honest – it is what it is and it doesn’t try to hide it. I understand why some people hate it, but not me.
Patong Beach, although busy is still very beautiful and there’s enough space on it to find your own spot. The water is warm and inviting. My favourite spot at sunset was to walk North to Kalim Beach. A rocky cove about 5-10 minutes from Patong main beach. Just perfect for long exposures at dusk.
At night there’s an abundance of restaurants. I preferred to stay away from the big ones on the ocean front and stick to the smaller local ones hidden away on side Soi’s. Beautiful food for an incredible price (and what’s more, I went back after 12 months and I was recognised like an old friend – you can’t put a price on that!).
After that, there’s as many bars as you could wish for to drink in and places to dance and bands to listen too. Every night, a couple of beers and some guitar driven rock music. It was great.
Thailand is indeed, a Land of Smiles.
