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FireFlyz | 29
Where to Stay
The Kee Resort &Spa, Patong Beach
The resort is an avant garde tropical
retreat with a vast lagoon-like
swimming pool and contemporary
Sino-Portuguese theme in the heart
ofThailand’smost popular tourist
destination.
Comprising 244 guest rooms, a
spa and several dining outlets,The
Kee Resort &Spa features awide
range of high-tech communication
facilities and automated services of
international standards to ensure
convenience for holidaymakers and
travelling professionals.
For details visit
http://www.thekeeresort.com/
Food
Sick of all the MSG laced Thai food sold
here in Malaysia? Phuket has plenty of
authentic Thai dishes to whet the appetite
and burn tongues with their spiciness (in
a good way). The popular
tom yam
is a
must-try. There are two different varieties
available – the regular red coloured soup
and the creamy white soup that is not
very common here. Pineapple fried rice
in Phuket is also very rich in taste. Just
do not be fooled by the slightly smaller-
sized pineapple which contains the rice
because there is a variety of seafood and
vegetables inside. After a fun night of
dancing, street food like the flavoured
pancake and barbeque on a stick will
satisfy your hunger.
Heritage
Historically, the island was on one of the
major trading routes between India and
China. It was frequently mentioned in
foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French,
Dutch and English traders. An evening
stroll in Phuket town revealed the pres-
ence of Chinese and Portuguese (Sino-
Portuguese) influence in its architecture
and heritage. There were nyonya-kebaya
and other Peranakan items on sale at
some of the gift-shops. At one point,
being in Phuket town felt like being in
Malacca or Penang where the heritage
buildings are preserved. The Phra Pitak
Chinpracha Mansion, which was built
in 1903 as well as the Phuket Tin Mine
Museum, are two examples of well-
preserved historical buildings that capture
the history of Phuket.
built next to one another and gold leaf
sheets are pasted all over them by visitors
for good luck.
Fun
When all else is done and over with, why
not return to the club for some fun? There
are countless number of clubs and pubs
to visit. If a bar-crawl or club-hopping
is on the itinerary, one night will not be
enough to cover those situated on the
entire stretch of Bangla Road. Look out
for entertaining shows like the cabaret
and local live bands. Cover charges are
reasonable. The Illuzion is the club to be
for its live acrobatic dancers and fancy
gigantic LCD screen.
Ground tour arranged by Firefly Holi-
day: www.fireflyholiday.comor+603 2142
2811.
Pray
If ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ are the points of
reference for the trip, a visit to a temple
in Phuket is a must. Wat Chalong is the
largest temple on the island where locals
and tourists come to pray and pay respect
to two monks who were the founders
of Phuket. Luang Pho Cham and Luang
Pho Chuang were two monks who, with
their knowledge of herbal medicines, are
said to have taken care of local villagers
and negotiated for a settlement during a
rebellion in the 1870’s. Their statues are
Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion
TomYam and Pineapple Fried Rice
Wat Chalong
Bangla Road