Phuket

I arrived in Phuket on Monday the 19th and my friends Aku & Saara came to pick me up from the airport, and it was about an hour's drive from the airport to the Patong Beach. Aku & Saara live right in the heart of action. A few minutes from the boxing stadium, the big mall and Bangla, where the nightlife is at (always known as Phuket Tättärää). Their flat is lovely. First time in weeks I got to experience such luxuries as air-conditioning and warm water. Hurrah!

We dropped off my bags and went off for dinner & a few drinks. After my first yummy red curry we headed to Bangla. My first experience was negative. Tens of bars, thousands of tourists and ladyboys, Rows of McD's and Starbucks',  loud music and locals selling anything from cigarettes to strange souveniers and food. This was the biggest turisti-rysä I had ever seen and a huge difference to the laid-back Sri Lanka. I decided not to be a regular walking (or crawling) on these streets at night and wanted to start getting healthy. :)

From the next day we got into a very good routine with Saara; going to the gym in the morning, followed by a swim by the pool, which both belonged to Phuket Villa apartment complex. In the evenings we've been chilling at the balcony, eating some great Thai food and singing whilst Aku is playing guitar. Our friendship has mainly been developing at the various Finnish festivals over the years, so it has been very special to be in each other's company sober and really get to know each other (don't get upset about this comment dad if you are reading this.)

Here are some pictures.

On Friday the 23rd was the first real night out, as it was my friend Mia's birthday. Mia is on a sabbatical and is spending that in Koh Railey (just outside Phuket), working in a Finnish diving school and travelling Asia. We were joined by her friend Reeta who was finishing her 5 months Around-the-World trip and a Finnish party corner (Antti, Mikko, Juha, Petteri & Tomas). I'd heard that it is hard to leave Bangla before 7am, but I did not believe it. Let me tell you, it is true. And that is all there is to say about that. :)

Here is a picture otaken in the beginning of the night.

On Xmas eve I woke up after 2 hours sleep to Finnish Xmas radio and the smell of joulupuuro (Xmas porridge) and glögi (gluhwein). That definitely made you feel a little christmasy, especially after turning of the ac and closing your eyes. :) The day was lovely. Saara light up some candles and we spend the day singing xmas carols and drinking glögi. In the evening we went over for a lovely dinner at Johanna's place. Johanna has been living in Thailand for just under 10 years and have 2 lovely children so we would get some xmas spirit afterall.

After the dinner we went to Jay's (Johanna's man) reggaebar for a few drinks and then somehow "I found the strenght in me" to continue the night at Bangla with Mia & Reeta & some other Finns.

Following this very boozy Xmas period, we've been getting back to our healthy regime with Saara. Now we're off to the gym this morning and then Lila & Caan are coming here to play by the pool, which will be fun!

Today my friend Heta is coming over for the New Year. I've decided to go to to the island of Koh Lipe with her and we'll be departing tomorrow morning at 8am.

I'll aim to get my next blog update next week, as I am becoming officially the laziest blog-writer. I am emphasizing the word lazy here. I find it very easy these days to do bugger all all day. Ah - bless the holiday spirit! No morkkis! :D