Cebu Pacific flies to Phukhet
One of the most enriching and rewarding experiences a person can have is to see how life is lived in other countries. It allows us to indulge in other interests and partake of new facets of life.
Traveling to other destinations has become so affordable thanks to the friendly competition among airlines. Cebu Pacific Airways, the low-cost airline currently operating the most domestic destinations, flights and routes in the Philippines, recently added another direct international service from Manila to the popular resort island of Phuket, Thailand, ensuring once again that with their low, low fares, every Juan can truly fly and explore the globe.
On the invitation of Cebu Pacific, 12 media practitioners representing different news agency’s from the Visayas and Mindanao embarked on a five day four nights familiarization tour of Phuket to explore historical interests, marvel at the fascinating stretch of white sand and heavy surf beaches and engage in some unusual souvenir buys.
Many new hotels have gone up in Phuket during the past decade and several of the older hostelries are undergoing remodeling. We stayed at the luxurious Novotel Vintage Park situated right at the heart of Patong seaside featuring contemporary mixed south east Asia architecture with modern fixtures and amenities .
Phuket, is Thailand’s largest island and is connected to the mainland by a bridge at its northern end. Its surroundings are what holiday dreams are made of, turquoise seas, crescent bays, vibrantly rich reef teeming with interesting marine life and several beautiful islets.
Here’s a run-through of Phuket’s must-visit tourist attractions.
Beaches. Few islands can boast such an abundance of sandy beaches and clear waters as Phuket. The winding coastal roads along the west coast offer magnificent views and easy access to some of the world’s finest beaches such as Kata Noi, Kata and Karon beach.
Old Phuket Town. It was built on riches reaped from Phuket’s tin boom of the last century, when the metal was an extremely valuable commodity. You will see grandiose mansions, once occupied by the islands tin barons built over 100 years ago . The architectural style of these buildings clearly shows the influence of the Sino-Portuguese, which had much more depth than width. One distinct feature is the beautiful stencil work on the windows and doors. In this historically rich part of town you will find shrines, temples, ornate and beautifully preserved shop houses, quaint cafes, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums.
Big Buddha. It is located at Nakkerd Hills and looks down over Chalong, Kata and Rawai.It is one of the island’s most important and revered landmarks. The huge image is 45 meters high and it is easily seen from far away. Next to it stands a smaller, golden image that is actually made of brass.
Tiger Kingdom. The newest attraction in Phuket that sits on four acres of land. It allows visitors the opportunity to get up close with several Indochinese tigers of varying ages and sizes that have been raised by hand in captivity since birth. Predictably enough, the baby tigers are the most popular. There are strict procedures to follow before entering an enclosure and safety rules are listed on colorful signs throughout the property.
Jungceylon Shopping Complex. It has radically changed the face of shopping in Patong. The two main stores in the complex are Robinson — a gleaming well-lit upper end department store, and Big C supermarket. There are over 200 other stores in this shopping heaven that sell clothes, cosmetics, perfumes, computer games, tons of mobile phones and accessories and electrical goods.
Phuket FantaSea. This is a unique cultural theme park that promises to be the ultimate in night-time entertainment. Inspired by Thailand’s rich and exotic heritage, FantaSea not only showcases the charm and beauty of Thailand, but also enriches ancient Thai traditions with the wonder of cutting edge technology and special effects. The result is a stunning 140 acre theme complex, packed with a multitude of activities and entertainment. Inside the property is the Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant that offers a sumptuous feast of Royal Thai dishes and international delicacies, prepared by some of Thailand’s finest chefs.
Phuket was fascinating and spiritually rewarding. It gave us the freedom and flexibility that daily life does not allow. Our companions, knowledgeable and resourceful guides and efficient chaperons, Viveca Singson of JG Summit and Michelle de Guzman of Cebu Pacific together with Charles Lim of Selrahco, made certain we went home with unforgettable, happy memories to last a life time.
