Patong Spa & Shopping

Two things you don't want to miss while you're in Patong are shopping and spa.

If you're big town kind of girl (or boy) and want something familiar, you can get your shopping and spa fix at the Jungceylon Mall. 

You can find outlets offering facial deals at ground floor and 1st floor of the mall. There's a cinema at the top floor along with some kiosks selling goods like phone accessories, beauty products and home decoration. Don't be surprised when you see beds for the facial spa. It's like one big room where everyone get their treatments together.

If you're looking for scrubs, soaps, massage oils and the likes, head down to the lower ground. You can shop comfortably in air-cond and then eat at the cafeteria or get a massage from one of the parlours. The price is standard, Thai massage from 300 THB; cheaper options can be found outside of the mall. I chose an outlet which has the treatment area a bit hidden from the front counter. 

If you are tired of malls, you can always venture out and check the shops along the road opposite or next to Jungceylon Malls. The cute tops below were selling for 100 THB each at the shops across from Jungceylon Mall.

They don't have aircond so you'll sweat a bit. Wear something comfortable and be ready to bargain.

Most of the massage parlours offer mani pedi and facial. However, I suggest sticking to massage at massage parlours and get your mani pedi at a proper nail spa like Valentina. 

I went to Valentina to fix an unsatisfying pedicure I got from a massage parlour. They call what I usually do as Japanese manicure (I didn't know that) and we had a brief guessing game as the manicurist try to figure out what I wanted. 

Honestly, I was expecting a quick fix job since I already had a pedicure the day before but the manicurist scrubbed, buffed, poked, shaped and God knows what and I got a set of REALLY pretty toe nails for only 400 THB (including ugly polish removal). I tend to marvel at my own nails and stare at them after pedi but this time, I stared longer. She made my nails looked so shiny and pretty and so cute and just HEALTHY. Like pink healthy. 

P.s. It is over a month and my toe nails are still shiny!

Find Valentina among a row of shops towards Karon Beach from Jungceylon. It's on your right.

Best massage parlour for me is the Pothingham. I don't remember the correct spelling but you can find it at the alley next to Patong Beach's Burger King. Walk down the alley, just before a junction, the parlour is on your right. It is opposite a restaurant. Best Thai massage on my #WetPhuket trip.

Right next to Jungceylon are several shops. Head towards Hard Rock Cafe and enter the first shop alley. The Bangladeshi in 3rd or 4th shop (I can't remember) sells clothes and speak good Malay. Very willing to reduce price as well. Negotiate wisely! :)

Some of the stuff in Phuket/Patong are cheaper than Bangkok and Krabi. If you don't know the standard price, go to a few shops to compare prices. Convert to your currency and if you think it's a fair price, ask to reduce price by 20-30% :p

Thai massage starts from 250 THB and I found that Krabi can be more expensive than Patong. If you frequent a parlour (I went for massage every day in Thailand), or bring friends, you might get further discount as well. 

So... that's about it on #WetPhuket. Will tell you about #KeKrabi next week ;)

Islander Restaurant Patong

This is another halal restaurant near Patong Masjid (mosque). It is right opposite the mosque's entrance. Come here for delicious and affordable food.

Taste - Delicious! <3<3<3<3<3 

Price - Standard, comparable to Malaysia. Take-away 2 meals at 110 THB. 275 THB for 2 pax for  lunch + dessert + drinks

Ambiance - Acceptable but poor ventilation when next door is cooking

My iced lemon tea and idk what's that other drink

Mango Sticky Rice - <3<3<3

Fried kuetiau (Thai's flat noodle) with beef

Seafood Fried Kuetiau (I don't remember the Thai name) no veggie <3<3<3<3<3

Not bad. Not bad at all. Ask for take-away to eat in the comfort of your own hotel.

95 Cafe, Patong

95 Cafe is easy to find. It is right next to Patong Masjid (mosque). A pretty little cafe tucked in a corner. It looks quite new with nice woody shack decor.

Aside from the usual Thai food, you can get your western food (limited) fix here. And nice iced coffee. My partner even ordered another one to go.

Taste - Average food. Nice coffee though.

Price - 360 THB for 2 pax

Ambiance - Nicest cafe of all halal eateries I've been to in Patong

Noodles in Thick Gravy

Kiwi Ice Blended and Coffee

Batter-fried shrimp (not worth it)

Chicken & Cheese Sandwich

A comfortable place to hangout after prayer.

Phuket Trickeye Museum, Phuket

Phuket Trickeye Museum

Operating Hours

1000 - 1900 daily (last entry at 1800)

Admission Fee(s) - 500 THB/adult

                               300 THB/child

I am pretty sure that you can get the tickets + return transfer from one of those tour agents in Phuket but if you're finding the place yourself, head to Phuket town and ask the locals. If you have internet access, Waze or Google Map your way. It's quite easy to find.

BRING YOUR CAMERA!

Camwhores like me Creative people will probably spend over 2 hours here. There are many interesting, indecent and funny arts for you to pose with. Adults love this place as much as kids do. 

  Oh a note on your footwear, you'll have to take them off (including your socks) and leave them at the reception counter. You'll pass it again before you leave.

Now you know why Der Schrei der Natur was screaming ;)

Kinda mocking Des Glaneuses' message, don't you think?

Sadako Yamamura wannabe

Hey Santa stop photobombing me!

No comment. Thanks, everyone!

But Shea, is that all?

Lol of course not. There are plenty more, complete with suggestions on how to pose. My advice? Be creative.

  Go check it out yourself. I made it worth the 500 THB. All you need is some patience, fresh perspective and a not-so-busy day (so you won't feel too guilty hogging the 'arts'). Have fun!

Soi Romanee

I visited Soi Romanee on a Sunday morning. Well, okay. Almost noon. The buildings there are beautiful but mostly either closed or unoccupied. It is kinda like a heritage row. I think the plan is to create something like Haji Lane in Singapore. 

  Whatever it is, if you love photography, you might not want to miss this place. After all, it's free. 

The famous halal Abdul's rotee shop is nearby so wake up early, have breakfast there and walk to Soi Romanee to capture some beautiful photos. When it gets too hot, the Phuket Trickeye Museum is just a few streets away ;)

Siam Niramit, Phuket

Siam Niramit is more than a stage show. It is comparable to Phuket Fantasea in the way that it is like a mini theme park without the roller coasters. While Phuket Fantasea is more OTT, out of this world theme, Siam Niramit is more of a cultural extravaganza. 

  Come early to roam around, take photos with the 'characters', play a couple funfair games, explore the cultural village, watch a boxing match and some dance and elephant show. Be sure to bring small change as tips for the staff (if you want to take pictures with them in costume).

 You can get the tickets from any of the tour agents in Phuket at various prices depending on your preference. I got mine for only 1350 THB without meal, including return transfer from hotel. A van picked me up at around 6.15 pm and off we went!

  After the driver dropped me and the others at the lobby, he gave us a piece of paper with van's number and direction on which carpark to meet later. After a few minutes, a lady came over with my ticket and stuck a sticker on my shirt.

These are live karabau guys! Complete with the smell.

No recording is allowed in the theater but I know the guys in my van took some videos and you can find some on YouTube. The show is a mix of historical play and creative interpretation of heaven and hell and such. Probably not as grand as Phuket Fantasea but Siam Niramit sure is entertaining, impressive and charming in its own way.