It’s nearing the end of the holiday season and thus the peak holiday prices will be gone soon.
Why live a lifestyle confined to the societal norm of travelling during the peak holiday seasons where prices are high, tourists’ spot jam packed and your pleasure low.
A quick beach getaway in the off peak season will help to satiate any frequent traveler’s appetite to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living. It also presents an opportunity to get in touch with nature and reflect on your place on this planet.
Phuket is just about 1.5 hours away from Singapore. Inclusive of the time taken from the airport by taxi to the popular Patong beach, you’ll be ready to let your hair down by lunch time and shop away at its massive shopping centers, eat at the food streets, receive a traditional Thai massage or soak up the sun along the powder sand beach.
Visit the island paradise minimally for 3 days, 2 nights and we recommend you take a day trip out to the smaller islands. To get your money’s worth, since it won’t come dirt cheap, make sure it’s packed with a variety of activities so you won’t get bored.
Silver Hawk Group provides a “8 Point: James Bond Plus Sunset”. We tried this tour out first hand and are happy to report that this was value for money, exciting and definitely compliments a trip to Phuket perfectly.
http://www.silverhawkgroup.com/668167/8-point-james-bond-plus-sunset
Our itinerary started off with relaxing on a secluded beach on Naka Island. Bring skimpy beach wear, slather on sunblock, lay out your beach towel and just lay back and relax. You’ll have the sounds of the jungle behind you with the waves crashing at your feet. Paradise is the right word to describe that feeling. Of course, you’ll be asked to rent a beach chair, buy a drink or go on a short jet ski ride. It won’t dampen the mood as long as you focus… to RELAX and enjoy the view.
You will leave the island in an about one hour and proceed with lunch on the boat as you cruise in Phang Nga Bay. Food was cooked on board by a local chef so you can be assured of adequate, varied and delicious dishes. You’ll be interrupted with the tour guide calling for red Sea Hawks with a whistle to feed around the waters of the boat. Commercial and touristy for some, but unless you want to traverse jungles and climb up treetops to birds’ nests, this will suffice.
Arriving at Hong Island, you be ushered on a canoe “captained” by a local who will bring you around the stalactite ringed islands and even enter some of the lagoons that were eerily silent. After which, you’ll visit the famed James Bond Island. The young at heart visitors will remember the James Bond of old. Danial Craig may not have been Bond (pun intended) yet.
The final destination to nourish your soul is the visit to a cave where you’ll release a Krathong, a lotus flower offering with a candle made by yourself, to offer thanks like the festival of Loy Krathong. As you complete that spiritual experience, you’ll be back on the boat for dinner amidst the sunset as you cruise back to the jetty.
Overall, the trip was eventful and you’ll not be bored OR hungry. Free flow food is available on board and hotel transfers are provided. Our guide, Bancha was exceptional with quality service, immense local knowledge and a very friendly disposition. You may not get the same guide when you get on this trip, but rest assured, the guard is certified by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Don’t take our word for it. Visit it and experience it yourself. Talk is cheap, words are free, but being there is PRICELESS.
Reviewed by Jason “Amin” Chew and Michelle Tan
