Day 77 – Phuket, Thailand

Viking Sky arrived in Phuket, Thailand, this morning. Located in the southern part of the country, it is the largest island in Thailand and was an important trading post on the trade route between India and China.

Sailing into Phuket on a Hazy Day

Phuket is often called the “Pearl of the Andaman Sea” and is renowned as a premier leisure destination, famous for its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, and lush landscapes.

We anchored just a short distance off the island of Phuket, and local tenders ferried us to Patong Beach. Here we saw rows of iconic long tail boats that are very common in Thailand, especially in coastal areas.

Long Boats at Patong Beach

Tim and I walked along the waterfront on the way to our motorcoach, which we boarded for our included excursion, “Panoramic Phuket.” Here’s the description:

See Phuket’s stunning viewpoints, beaches framed by ribbons of blue water, and colorful temples, cafés and crafts. Stop at Promthep Cape on the southernmost tip of the island to enjoy spectacular views of the Andaman Sea and picturesque Nai Harn Bay. To the north, take in expansive panoramas along the length of the coast. Promthep also boasts a shrine depicting the god Brahma as a “Four Face Buddha,” surrounded by more than fifty colorful elephant statues, each one draped with garlands of flowers. From here you will continue to Wat Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most sacred temple. Inside its tall spire lies a splinter of bone believed to belong to the Buddha, and around the complex are three gold-leaf-encrusted statues of former abbots. At the Sriburapa Cashew Nut Factory, observe the process of extracting nuts from their shells and browse the on-site shop. Afterward, return to your ship.

We passed Raiwi Beach, a quiet and laid-back fishing village, and climbed one of Phuket’s hills to reach our first stop.

Raiwi Beach, Phuket

Promthep Cape is located on the island’s southernmost tip and offers panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. Unfortunately, haze and air pollution obscured much of the view today.

Promthep Cape

I climbed the steps to the upper level, where I saw a small circular Brahma Shrine. The shrine is decorated with a multitude of carved elephants, which symbolize longevity and thanksgiving. There must have been hundreds of elephants here in all sizes and colors.

Brahma Shrine - So Many Elephants

While I was admiring the elephants, I caught sight of three very cute kittens and a smiling man was who was dangling a wand toy that they were playing with.

Such Cute Kittens

Also on the site is a lighthouse, which houses a maritime museum, and a statue of the Prince of Chumphon, known as the “Father of the Navy.”

The Lighthouse and Statue of the Father of the Navy

A short drive took us to Wat Chalong, the largest, most revered, and most visited Buddhist temple in Phuket. This immense complex dates to the beginning of the nineteenth century and features an amazing collection of buildings and statues. Its 60-meter-tall chedi, or stupa, and other smaller temples are adorned with vibrant artwork, sophisticated carvings, and rich decorative elements.

Tim and the Chedi at Wat Chalong

Because Tim and I were unable to hear our guide’s description of the various buildings, we wandered off on our own and simply appreciated the stunning architecture. As we walked around, we were often startled by the sound of firecrackers, which were being shot off in a brick kiln when offerings were made.

One of the Many Stunning Temples at Wat Chalong

Other Buildings, and the Kiln, at Wat Chalong

We visited the interior of one of the smaller temples, which was crowded with people paying their respects and making offerings.

One of the Temples at Wat Chalong

Our final stop was the Sri Bhurapa Orchid Cashew Nut Factory, where we witnessed the meticulous process of cashew nut extraction. We watched as two women cracked open the cashew nuts and carefully removed them from their shells. No wonder cashews are so expensive.

Although watching and learning about this process was interesting, this stop was primarily an excuse for shopping. We were able to taste a dozen or more cashew nut flavors, and Tim and I did succumb to the temptation and bought a few varieties. I also picked up some rice crackers and dried mango, two of my favorites.

Sri Bhurapa Orchid Cashew Nut Factory

Raw Cashews, Cashew Nut Extraction, and Cracked Nuts

Throughout the day, we passed many spirit houses, which we saw outside residences, hotels, shops, and even malls. Spirit houses are small shrines, perched on pedestals, that house guardian spirits. These houses are decorated with figurines, and people offer gifts to the spirits of these doll-like houses in the hope that the spirits will bless the property and its occupants and bring good fortune.

A Variety of Spirit Houses

We finally made our way through the terrible traffic in Patong Beach, walked to the pier, and caught our tender back to the ship.

Street Scenes from Patong Beach, Phuket

Although I enjoyed our excursion, I did not get a true sense of the culture and history of Phuket. I agreed with the many guests who remarked that it was a shame that we couldn’t remain overnight here. I know that I would have enjoyed a second day discovering more about this island.

Chef Alastair and his culinary team treated us to A Taste of Thailand tonight in the World Café. I enjoyed sampling several of the dishes, including the Pad Thai, which was very good but unlike any Pad Thai I had ever eaten at home. Now I wonder what authentic Pad Thai is really like.

A Taste of Thailand