Lose Yourself in Phuket. NMC 302 post #4

After reading a New York Times travel article on Phuket, Thailand, I found that people who go to this island discover two things: 1) they don't want to leave and 2) they fall in love with the place and culture for the quirks that have solidified its position on the global map of tourism.

In the story, travel reporter Ingrid K. Williams spends 36 heavenly hours on this island and informs readers of the 12 ways to make the most of a trip there. She writes of the best places to dine, relax, shop and be entertained.

Because my family got the opportunity to visit Phuket during my senior year of high school (and I knew the moment I walked out of the airport into the humid, sunlit paradise that Thailand would remain an object of my traveling affections for the rest of my life) I can personally suggest a vacation to Phuket to anyone looking for a complete getaway from the issues of reality.

The amazing thing about Phuket (pronounced "poo-ket") is its past struggle to survive as a vacation hotspot after suffering a devastating tsunami in 2004. However, Williams suggests that "the island has firmly reasserted itself as a premier beach resort."

The "Best of Phuket" list began with a beach that lines the major city of Kamala. The water is so devastatingly warm and clear that an Oregonian would need a pinch to be sure it's not a dream.

Other sections of the list represented the culturally-diverse activities that tourists enjoy. As a predominantly Buddhist nation, intricate clay and jade sculptures of Buddha are in great supply and line the shelves of every souvenir shop.

One must also consider the national sport of Thailand, a form of martial art called "muay Thai." Spectators watch fighters of all ages (as young as 10) kick and punch each other in the face and then win prizes for the best performance. Tourists themselves are not excluded from participation in the ring.

Elephants must be experienced while in Phuket. Multiple elephant treks and excursions are offered in every city and tourists can choose how long of an adventure they want to take. Rides last anywhere from a half hour to all-day trips.

Dining and drinking in this country is not, by American standards, expensive. In fact, with 32 baht to the dollar and most meals in reasonable yet delicious restaurants ranging between 90 and 100 baht, an American can dine like a king for very little money.

From personal experience, though the price will be good no matter where you go, the best places to eat are small local food booths and street-side restaurants (usually outdoor.) These eateries offer the freshest fruit, vegetables and sea food- and are also the perfect representation of what locals spend their precious baht on.