Exploring Phuket - monkey temple and Phatong beach

After our first week of teaching we decided to go explore Phuket a bit more. During the week I transferred some money (R600 – 2000baht LLLOOOVVEE the exchange rate) and we had extra cash again to enjoy ourselves.

We rented a scooter and took on the streets. We went to monkey mountain (I already told you each village, town or city has one of these). 

And also went down to the river where there is a monkey feeding site.

We also went in search of a beach where we could swim – strange as it might be with Phuket being an island it is nearly impossible to find a beach where you can swim in Phuket itself. (If you want to swim you have to go to Phatong or Kata beach.) So we ended up at a place where the yachts get launched, and Steven and I ran up and down the plastic buoys that were in the ocean – just imagine the thoughts that went through the Thai’s brains…. (WHAT ARE THESE FARANG DOING??!!)

After our frolicking on the plastic stuff we went to a local market to buy Pepsi in a bag:

That night we bought our cheap bottle of wine and went to watch the Water-organ show again. The next day we went in search of Patong beach because Brian had to teach at one of the hotels there the following Tuesday. So off we went lock stock and of course some food to fill my small tummy…. Past the Village mall decided to have a stop and eat our lunch (since I’m always hungry), with cars passing by and people staring at us (we could not see a problem with sitting in the middle of nowhere next to the highway to enjoy our calamari cakes on buns). After a while we finally finished, and off we went heading towards Patong beach. Driving, and driving and driving and driving we finally got to our destination - PATONG BEACH.Looking around for hours for the specific hotel that Brian had to go teach at and finally got it. So Brian and I decided we only have to return the scooter at 6 pm, and then headed off to the beach   Here are some pictures of the beach:

We swam in the ocean but after 1 minute in the water we decided to get out because the ocean is really dirty with plastic bags and bottles floating around. We lay on the beach to get a nice tan and after an hour or two we headed back to return the rented scooter (18:03 – how is that for timing). Now this is where I have to commend Steven on getting us there on time – but I also have to mention that the Thai driving style has rubbed off on him since he nearly made a portrait of us in a car’s window… Needless to say I had to pull the scooter from out of my ass and throw away my best white underwear that I wore that day.)