Phuket, Thailand: The Tourists

March 9, 2015

We’re at sea today heading toward Thilawa, Myanmar (formerly Rangoon, Burma). Yesterday in Phuket, Thailand, we opted for a bus transfer into Old Phuket where we were dropped off to wander around on our own. And what did we do? We were the consummate tourists. We shopped.

No sirree! No culture for us. We wandered around a bit and dipped into the shopping malls (not ethnic markets) for good deals on clothing (John bought two pair of light-weight cargo pants to wear in Myanmar, and two shirts). And that was just the beginning. 

Waiting for the bus in Phuket

Downtown Phuket

After our return to the port we shopped the “pop-up” markets on the pier. Thai silk shirts and robes, a swim-suit cover-up, more shirts and a few gifts. Oh, and the hat, of course. John is trying to get a ball cap from each port that has the name of the port on it. Yesterday’s purchase was funny. The first hat vendor wanted $8 US for the cap. John offered $4 and was refused. So we moved on. The next hat vendor had a better-looking hat and his asking price was only $3! No negotiations needed – we bought.

As we sailed away last night it looked like an Interstate highway after dark with all the brightly-lit shrimp and squid fishing boats – one after the next as far as we could see.

Phuket Harbor fishing boar

By the way, Phuket is pronounced Pu-KET and not the way one might think otherwise. ;-)

On a less pleasant note, the ship is on Code Red due to the widespread GI among the passengers. They have changed serving procedures and are literally scrubbing every square inch of the ship.

Tomorrow we are scheduled to visit the ancient Mon capital near Thilawa. The temperature is supposed to reach 98 degrees and the country is not quite ready for prime time tourism, so we don’t expect much relief from the heat. Plus, we are expected to dress conservatively – knees, shoulders, and mid-drifts covered. Phew!