Phuket, Phi Phi island

I made the second trip this year to Phuket and still much enjoy it. See photos of some beautiful scene...

The return airfare by Tiger Airways costs S$140 plus various taxes & surcharges of $146 -- nowadays the hidden "extra" for taxes & surcharges exceeds the airfare itself, especially when it comes to budget airlines and short-distance flights. Probably due to the peak season, it is more expensive than my previous trip in March, when the Jetstar airfare was only S$76 + taxes & surcharges $123.

I stayed with the same hotel, Patong Beach Lodge, at US$82 per night per room of 2 adults incl. breakfast. It was US$53 last time in March. The hotel is conveniently located in the short walking distance to Patong beach and to the main street for bars & massage houses. Though not as elegant as the near-by Holiday Inn, it is pretty clean, cosy and non-expensive...

Taxi fare from airport to Patong is standard, at 550 Baht per cab payable at a counter inside terminal; the driver does not take cash payment. Our driver drove very fast (probably... rude :) and took less than 45min dropping us at the hotel. He said he usually does as many as 7 round-trips a day in peak season.

The Phi Phi island day tour is at 1400 Baht, picking up at hotel lobby at 8am and back around 6pm. The ticket is available in many tour desks along the street, with list-price ranging from 2500 to 2800 Baht. It includes drinks & fruits on board, a buffet lunch and about 6 places / activities for sight-seeing, relaxing on beach and snorkeling, among them are Maya bay / beach, Phi Phi lay, Khai Nui Island... I'm also impressed by the tour guide who is friendly and caring and thanks everyone for coming back after the tsunami.

Among the two local beers, Chang and Singha, I prefer Chang beer as it is stronger and tastes like Carlsberg at some extends.

I can't remember the street name that is full of good bars and night activities, it faces the Fantasea at its east end and links the beach and the main commercial road (Raj-U-Thid Rd). It is the place that one shouldn't miss... Sitting in a bar by the street or walking along the street seeing people at the bars are both of fun and form an interesting scene for each other parties.