Phuket: A Journey with Yaya This sentence translates to "Phuket: A Journey with Yaya" in English.

One day trip: Pray - Eat - Travel - All in one place - This is the concept of this trip.

I have the opportunity to work in Phuket and have a free day to explore. Let's go on a trip together.

Travel

We rented a car and drove ourselves. As soon as we arrived in Phuket and picked up the car, we looked for a place to eat. On the way from the airport to the restaurant, we passed Wat Phra Thong, which we had already planned to visit to make merit. We decided to stop by and pray for a safe journey and smooth work.

The first station is to pay respects to the "Emerging Buddha" at Wat Phra Thong.

The Legend of the Emerged Buddha at Wat Phra Thong

At Wat Phra Thong, a historic temple in Phuket, a legend is passed down through generations about the "emerged Buddha." The story goes that a young boy, while tending to his buffalo in a field, tied the animal's rope to the head of a statue, mistaking it for a wooden post. Upon returning home, both the boy and the buffalo died. The boy's father, haunted by dreams, learned the reason for their deaths: the rope tied to the statue's head. The next morning, the father went to the field and began digging, eventually uncovering a true Buddha statue.

For the full story, please visit: http://photoindeed.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-post_2.html

A photograph of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) during his visit, displayed on the wall of the chapel.

Juen Hiang Dim Sum Restaurant, Branch 2

We arrived after 10 am, and there were only a few dim sum dishes left. However, the taste was truly delicious. We initially ordered this much, thinking it would be enough, haha. But we ended up ordering more later, which I didn't take pictures of because I was afraid we wouldn't have enough.

The crab curry with rice noodles is a must-try, it's incredibly delicious!

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Paying homage to the auspicious Buddha, the only Naga Hill, or as foreigners call it, Big Buddha, is a large white Buddha statue in the posture of subduing Mara. It is located on the top of Naga Hill.

This location also offers a scenic viewpoint overlooking the city of Phuket, Kata, Karon, and the Andaman Sea.

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Upon arrival, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos. (Honestly, the most beautiful view here is me, the poster, haha!)

Wat Chalong, also known as Wat Chaithararam, is a renowned temple in Phuket. It is considered a symbol of the city and a must-visit destination for tourists. The temple is famous for its sacred statue of Luang Pho Chaem, who is believed to possess miraculous healing powers. As a result, Wat Chalong attracts a large number of devotees from Thailand, China, and other countries seeking blessings and cures for their ailments.

Within the temple, there is the Phra Maha That Chedi, the Royal Thai Majesty's Proclamation of Power, for your veneration.

Relaxation has arrived, and it's time to unwind.

Next station: Kata Beach

Located approximately 10 kilometers from Wat Chalong, this beach is a popular tourist destination with white sand and gentle waves.

The rental fee for a bed is 100 baht per person. Surfboards are available for rent at 200 baht per hour. If you hire an instructor, the cost is 1,000 baht per hour. The instructor guarantees that you will be able to stand on the board within 1 hour.

Not far from there, there is "Karon Beach", which I personally like. It is beautiful, has a public park, restaurants, parking, and restrooms. However, on the day I visited, the waves were strong, and the officials had put up red flags warning tourists not to swim. So, I could only take pictures.

Our next stop is the **historic Phuket Old Town**, a vibrant hub of traditional eateries, souvenir shops, and trendy cafes.

We parked our car at Mongkolnimit Temple before taking a walk to admire the Sino-Portuguese architecture. To immerse ourselves in the local Phuket culture, we decided to wear Yaya and Patek outfits, which are widely available in the area. Alternatively, we could rent them from Torakhan Store for 500 baht per set. The store offers a wide selection of outfits, and the staff is happy to provide advice and help with outfit matching. For rental inquiries, please call 076 214618.

Men's prices are no less competitive, with prices on par with women's.

I forgot to take a picture of the storefront, but it's not hard to find. It's opposite and slightly diagonal from the picture of Nong Mardi, the red turtle.

On Thalang Road, a hub for street art, a photo with the red turtle statue, known as "Nong Mardi," is a must. This statue symbolizes the Phuket tradition of "Phor Tor," where locals pay respects to their ancestors. A key element of this ceremony is the "Ang Koo," a red turtle-shaped pastry made with mung bean filling and colored red.

Red Turtle Cake, a symbol of longevity and a significant festival icon. The word "Wish Fulfilled" is written on the turtle's tail. Anyone who sees this will surely have their wishes granted.

Continue walking.

Rama Channel Building

"Thai Hua Museum": From a Chinese Language School to a Community Learning Center

The "Thai Hua Museum" was once a Chinese language school. Today, it serves as a community learning center that tells the story of the Chinese immigrants who came to this island. (Admission fee: 50 baht per person)

In addition, there is also a collection of ancient Buba Yaya costumes on display.

Buses of this type seem to be exclusive to the southern region of Thailand.

This is a long-standing establishment in the area, known as "Ko Phee Tiem".

"Kopee" means coffee, and "tiem" means a coffee shop or a coffeehouse frequented by locals in that era. However, it now also sells food, snacks, and desserts. They are delicious, so don't forget to stop by and try them.

"Kopee o" or black coffee.

Visiting Phuket? Don't Miss the Iconic Hokkien Fried Noodles!

"When in Phuket, indulge in the must-try dish: Hokkien Fried Noodles."

The preparation time for this dish is not due to the chef's slow cooking, but rather the time spent on offerings to the gods and posting on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

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Conclude your meal with a Phuket dessert that you must try, as "Oh Aew" can only be found in Phuket.

"Oh-aew": A Refreshing Treat for Hot Days

"Oh-aew" is a type of plant seed that, when soaked in water, produces a mucilage. This mucilage is then mixed with mashed banana and "chia" seeds to create a jelly-like consistency. The resulting dessert, resembling jelly in appearance, is believed to have cooling properties and is often enjoyed with shaved ice and fruits, making it a perfect treat for hot weather.

Full and ready to continue walking.

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"Chinnapracha House"

The entrance fee is 100 baht per person. You can also rent a Baju Batik for 500 baht if you want to take pictures in it.

We rented a costume from another place and they charged us 300 baht to enter (not sure if my friends were charged the same way, but I'm a little suspicious because they didn't give us any entry tickets or receipts, and there weren't any signs posted. But oh well, since we were already there, we had to pay. 😂 I guess I'll be a case study for my friends and let them know that if you wear a Yaya costume, you have to pay 300 baht.)

"Chino-Portuguese House"

The "Chino-Portuguese House" is the first Chino-Portuguese house in Phuket province. It is over a hundred years old. Most of the furniture is made of wood with gold leaf, passed down from ancestors in China. The decorations are also rare antiques.

Only the lower level is open to the public, which is divided into halls.

Bedroom

And the kitchen

The most striking feature is the central courtyard with a skylight, known as a "chimjae".

We have been sitting here for a long time. It's nice and cool.

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This historic district offers numerous charming photo opportunities, allowing for creative expression.

Walking back to get the car at Wat Mongkol Nimit, I came across a portrait and royal words of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) nearby.

The temple grounds are adjacent to the school. We returned just as school was letting out. Fried meatballs, fried chicken, snacks, milk, butter, and all sorts of things were on sale for the students. It reminded me of the old days when I was a child, and there were no crepes yet. 555+

Leaving the old town area, the last stop will take you to Sa Phan Hin Kanom Jeen Restaurant. I heard that their crab curry noodles are delicious.

And I wasn't disappointed.

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Rice noodles with crab curry 40 baht
Rice noodles with fish entrails curry 30 (All curries are this price, except crab and green chicken curry)
Fried chicken drumstick 35 wing 25 baht
Steamed fish curry in banana leaf cup 15 baht
Deep-fried fish cake 20 baht
Boiled egg 10 baht

Free vegetables!

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It was a very long day, but it was a good one. I got to eat, travel, do good deeds, and wear beautiful clothes.

I'm not sure, but personally, I'd like to see Thai people wearing traditional clothing while walking around, just like Japanese people wear kimonos and yukatas. I think it would be lovely. Our country has many beautiful traditional outfits from different regions. See you on the next trip, bye!

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