Phuket: Pearl of the Orient

We set on our foot in this island on December 26th, 2011, exactly seven years after the disastrous earthquake that killed over 230,000 people in fourteen countries. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded  in the history. In the Thailand itself, 5397 death was confirmed.

It was a journey to Phuket with my friend, Ameer Azhar, an unexpected one. It didn't take a formal detailed plan to materialise but one thing for sure we wanted a backpacking style, to taste something different that we can't get back at home, to mingle around with the locals and the expatriates from different backgrounds.

This journey is an eye opener for me since this is my first time I tried backpacking which is really an authentic backpacking style as compared to when I was in Europe. It transcripts my few journeys afterwards and a stepping stone to discover the unique taste of Asia in a whole different perspective point of view. We didn't take an aeroplane to go to Phuket, instead we took a traditional way for a backpacker, by riding a bus from Puduraya, KL to Hatyai Songkhla which lasted for nine hours and another six hours of journey from Hatyai to Phuket bus terminal.

The mysterious lady.

Along the way I made new friends from as far as South Africa, Canada and Netherlands to name a few and we even exchanged contacts. All came here for one reason, to unwind and to discover Asia.

Ameer being a tarzan was swinging from left to right before making a splurge inside the water.

On our way to James Bond island. Rafting is absolutely amazing.

These jeeps are definitely an eye opener. Picture was taken at Patong beach, dubbed as the most popular beach in Phuket for it's night life.

Where business matters.

A different perspective. My wooden stick to support my injured leg  lying down on the floor in a  tuk -tuk.

In the street of Phuket city where the night is crawling in.

The breaking dawn.

Car plate numbers.

A luxurious car in the street.

A cause of living.

My next destination? It was once known as Prey Nokor and formerly the capital of the French Colony of Cochinchina.