Phuket (pronounced "pooket") is probably Thailand's most famous island. There's more to the "Pearl of the Andaman Sea" than just the beaches though! Phuket also has a number of unique temples and sights to see.
Wat Prathong
Wat Prathong, located not too far from the airport on the northern part of the island, is home to a strange half-buried Buddha image. The legend says that nobody has been able to unearth the rest of it!
Wat Chalong
The most famous temple in Phuket is Wat Chalong. The central pagoda is built in a style quite different from the typical traditional Thai temple architecture, with a tall central tower.
Big Buddha
Phuket's number 1 most famous attraction of all is probably the Big Buddha. As of the time when I visited, it was still unfinished, but it's already impressive. It's a short drive up the hill to the top, where the Buddha statue sits looking out over the southern part of the island.
Again, the views from the top were by far my favorite part about visiting!
Relaxing in Phuket
Although some people go to Phuket because they like to party, the island also offers plenty of escape from the noise and crowds, and lots of chances to kick back and relax on the beautiful beaches.
The hotel that my mother and I stayed at during her visit to Thailand was located at the northern part of the island, quite close to the airport, and just down the beach from the national park, which meant that the beach where we were staying was clean and quiet. It was the rainy season, although we didn't run in to much bad weather during our stay in Phuket, and the low season kept the crowds away!
I'm really glad to finally have gone to Phuket! For the last two and a half years, people always seem surprised when I say that I've lived in Thailand for this long and have never been to the country's most famous beach! Now I can finally cross that one off my list. Next up, I just have to visit Chiang Mai in the north.
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