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Robert La Bua lands in Asia’s tropical playground.
Phuket is Asia’s downtime diva. Not surprising, given the balmy climate, number of activities, appealing excursions and perma-gay population on this island off Thailand’s west coast. It is the country’s smallest province, and also its richest.
In a place where the beach is everything, Phuket Town itself is an overlooked attraction.
It is worth a few hours ramblings to visit the few remaining yet outstanding examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture that populate the city; many of them are concentrated in the area around Thalang Road where huge historical mansions of wealthy families are still used as private residences, though the impressive one housing the Sino-Portuguese Museum is now open to the public and offers a glimpse of domestic life as it was more than a century ago.
A Phuket holiday is defined by the area in which you elect to stay. Though the island is only 32km long, and transportation is abundant and cheap,
many visitors become quite attached to their poolside chaise lounges and tend not to stray too far from them. Patong embodies the stereotype of Thailand as a cruising ground for potbellied, twilight-years Westerners who come to exercise their irresistible charms on the local populace.
Its saving grace is the ultra-friendly Connect Guesthouse, which is Gay Central for Thai and expat residents as well as those just passing through. Swedish owners Ulf and Börje are great guys who set a tone of pleasant sordidness that has proven very popular with those on a budget.
South of Patong in the hills above Karin Beach is the delightful CC Bloom’s Hotel – a well-appointed, intimate place where open-minded people come for their trysts or their honeymoons, depending on the season. Skip and Ken can’t do enough to ensure you have the most exquisitely relaxed stay possible. Breakfast on the terrace overlooking the greenery of the land and the bluery of the sea makes for a scenic start to the day.
For ultra-chic resort living, make your way to Indigo Pearl, an amazing high-tech-meets-the-sea place where gay chic abounds thanks to the impressive Bill Bensley design.
No matter where you stay on the island, don’t miss Phuket FantaSea, an impressive theatrical production to rival any West End and Broadway production. If you are expecting a sorry excuse for languid tropical entertainment, you will be disappointed. Phuket FantaSea is a dazzling spectacle – expect to be impressed.
The Phuket FantaSea show is part of an entertainment park where the requisite shops and arcade games help pass the time before the main event begins; you can spend the entire day here or come on the complimentary shuttles offered, timed to allow enjoyment of the enormous buffet dinner in the equally enormous dinner hall before taking in the show.
If you want to leave the local planning to someone else, give a call to Sby, a gay-owned tour company that can arrange any activity you wish. Owner Trevor is a fun one who loves to keep you smiling.
Thanks to the excellent services of Cathay Pacific/Dragonair, Australian travellers are able to fly to Phuket in full-service comfort on one the best airlines in the world.
With Cathay, Dragonair and all the hospitable hosts in Phuket waiting to bring a smile to your face, you’ll no doubt have a great time on Thailand’s island of recreation.
www.beachpatong.com
www.ccbloomshotel.com
www.sbyphuket.com
www.indigo-pearl.com
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