Aside from the 50 hours of flying across the world to get there, and the uncertainty of traveling at the beginning of a pandemic, Phuket, Thailand has been our most favorite trips thus far. The hospitality, the beautiful water of the Andaman Sea, and the fact that it is completely normal to see someone riding an elephant down the street makes it a traveler’s dream come true. If you’ve never been, here are a few reasons you should be adding Phuket to the top of your bucketlist:
1. The People
Deemed “The Land of Smiles,” Thailand by far had some of the most polite, respectful, and friendliest people we have ever encountered. Being black, there is always that slight fear we get when traveling to new countries. Will they be openly racist towards us? Would we have a bad experience? Fortunately, the people of Thailand are truly welcoming & treat you with the utmost respect. Their unparalleled hospitality should put Phuket at the top of your bucketlist. We were never called anything other than Madame & Sir and were always greeted with a ‘wai’ (which consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion, offered as a sign of respect.)
2. R&R
Phuket is home to HUNDREDS of spa & wellness centers. For that reason alone, Phuket should be at the top of your bucketlist. They are known for their famous Thai Massages!! This ancient healing massage combines acupressure and assisted yoga to give you one of the best massages you could possibly imagine. (It’s especially suggested after a long night of partying with an even longer flight ahead of you.) We went to Zana Spa at Wyndham Grand Phuket for our little couple’s spa retreat and added the Vichy shower for some much needed detox therapy. It was definitely one of the best spa experiences we’ve ever had.
Side note: They also served amazing tea so that was a bonus!
3. The Nightlife
Being from New Orleans, home of Bourbon Street, you know we know how to party! The Bangla Road is Phuket’s version of Bourbon Street..except with ping pong shows (don’t ask!!) If you’re looking for an epic night out, Phuket should definitely be at the top of your bucketlist. This lively strip is lined with street performers, and night clubs of all sorts; All open until the butt crack of dawn. We spent a lot of our time (and money) at a divey little hip hop bar taking shots and playing drinking games with some locals. It was a night not to remember.
There are other parts of town like Kata and Karon that have a less extreme nightlife, but are still fun. Nothing compares to partying in Patong Beach, though!
4. The Cost of Living
The only thing expensive about Thailand is the flight to get there. Its all down hill from there.. for the prices. Things in Thailand are super inexpensive. One Thai Baht (THB) is equivalent to 0.032 USD. If that doesn’t put Thailand at the top of your bucketlist, we don’t know what will! You can get a full meal in Thailand for as cheap as $3!! Drinks are about the same, if not just A LITTLE more expensive.
Even the transportation is cheap. Most people recommend renting a scooter to get around. We were terrified of driving because of their uh…different style of driving, so we took taxis instead. We only paid around 300 THB (about $9) per ride. But you can also opt to ride in a tuk tuk or on a bike taxi for a lot cheaper.
5. Things To Do
From ATV rides through the jungle to Elephant sanctuaries, it is almost impossible to be bored here! The island offers exhilarating experiences for both luxury travelers, as well as budget conscious trip takers, making it an ideal candidate for the top of your bucketlist. You can take a speed boat to the Phi Phi islands, or you can just chill on a more local beach and enjoy swimming and water sports! We decided to do all of the above.
We also ventured to Tiger Kingdom to see the baby tigers. Once we were there, we realized the tigers are likely sedated for long periods of time. We do not condone the harm of animals for the entertainment of humans, therefore, we DO NOT RECOMMEND VISITING this as animal lovers.
6. The Culture
Thailand’s rich culture is exactly why it should be at the top of your bucketlist. There are tons of temples, authentic eateries, and local markets for shopping. We suggest you take a city tour to get a good lay of the land, and learn its historical background. They show you everything from The Big Buddha to the most important temple in Phuket, the Wat Chalong.
Another must see is the Floating Muslim Village (usually apart of the James Bond island tour). Its a village of approximately 1600 people that was quite literally BUILT on water. It has it’s own mosque, school, market, AND football field. (Did we mention it was on water?)
The people, culture, and nightlife are just a few reasons we believe Thailand should be at the top of your bucketlist. But don’t just take our word for it, go see for yourself. Thailand will be reopening for tourism in September! Make sure you check out our favorite apps for booking a trip to get a great flight deal!
Checking Thailand off your bucketlist? Comment below and tell us what you’re planning to do while there!
