Phuket by Bus

Several busses were lined up beside the train station. One of the train conductors pointed us in the direction of the last bus where we joined in the long line of tourists waiting to board. While the driver took his time loading bags belonging to waiting passengers we decided to satisfy our uncertainty by verifying our destination with a different driver. Turns out we were in the wrong line and the bus we were supposed to take had just pulled away. The man hollered down the road for someone to stop the bus and via relay it reached someone close enough to flag the bus to a stop. We ran and jumped on, wiping sweat from our brows, and away we went.

The drive to Phuket was another four hours. The bus was completely packed and for a short time we weren't seated together. I claimed the window seat next to a young woman from Europe. This was not the kind of woman you find modeling in classy Victoria Secret advertisements, this was one of the long lost European-Amazon women from the bush country, the kind that refrains from bathing and using those 'awful chemicals' such as deodorants and perfumes that they claim are bad for the body. Well they aren't bad for MY body, in fact my body was craving a healthy dose of chemicals right then, something more along the lines of Pine-Sol or perhaps a few refreshing cups of ammonia. I squeezed ever closer to the window, searching in vain for even the slightest crack in the glass that might grant me a wisp of fresh air and a short reprieve. I started digging furiously in my backpack for a more pleasant scent to mask the pervasive fumes. Old squished bananas, dirty crusty socks and even four day old underpants didn't do the trick. The bus stopped, a couple people exited, and I politely slipped out of my seat to claim one of the newly vacated ones. The young girl remarked as I slipped past, "Leaving so soon?" I was secretly wishing I had left my old underwear on the seat beside her.

The scenery started out like the other areas we've seen before, and slowly the mountains started poking their way out of the landscape. On the final hour of the bus ride, towering rock formations were lingering overhead. Phuket is Thailand's largest island and a favorite vacation destination. Its famed cliffs and unique rock formations gained international attention in the 1974 Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun". These famed formations remain a favorite spot on Asian travel calendars and promotional materials.

We had one final transition from bus to taxi before arriving at our hotel for the next two nights: the Seeka Boutique Resort on Patong beach. The facilities were beautiful and included a nice restaurant and pool. Our room was exceptional and the decor added to the beach island theme. We walked through town, had a nice but simple Thai dinner, and booked our following days' tour of the world renowned islands.