A taste of Thailand
TRAVEL WRITER CLODAGH DOOLEY TAKES A SOLO TRIP TO PHUKET IN THAILAND DURING THE LOW-SEASON, AND FINDS HERSELF EXPERIENCING THE EXTRAORDINARY
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady of the US
What makes an experience extraordinary? For me, an extraordinary experience is something new, something that takes you out of your comfort zone. It is a moment that provides a deeper understanding about the surrounding culture, while having a profound effect on yourself.
I travel to seek new experiences that are somewhat out of the ordinary, because I am a believer that, like with anything – a job or a relationship – life can get boring if you don’t try to shake it up a little. When I travelled solo to southern Phuket for a week during the lowseason (May-October), not only did I find that there was great value for money. But there was also value in the fact that less tourists around the island meant greater opportunity to fully immerse myself in the culture of Thailand.
Here are just some of the extraordinary experiences I had… THAI COOKING CLASS Many visitors enjoy eating the traditional cuisine of Thailand, but what about uncovering the secrets of local dishes? I took a Thai Cooking Class with Chef Ann at Cosmo Restaurant at The Nai Harn Phuket to learn how to make traditional Southern Thai cuisine. Before we began, we visited Rawai Sea Gypsy Fishing Market, where Chef Ann sources some of her ingredients. This, in turn, benefits the local families selling the many varieties of fish and fresh fruit and vegetables. Back at the restaurant, Chef Ann cooked alongside me, while I followed her steps on my own workbench. We cooked two separate dishes each, Pad Thai and a Thai curry dish. Once garnished, we tasted the dishes and were both impressed with my results – for someone who isn’t the best cook at home, I had perfected the flavour of Thailand and received a certificate and apron! CULTURAL JOURNEY During my stay at The Nai Harn, I had the opportunity to take part in a Buddhist almsgiving ceremony, giving food offerings, such as rice and traditional snacks, to the monks. The idea is for the Buddhist monks to make merit and collect food for their one meal of a day. It was incredible to be involved and develop an understanding of Buddhism. Phuket has 29 Buddhist temples around the island and I visited Wat Chalong, which is the largest. Here, I saw many Thai locals and tourists arrive to pray in the temples, which gave me an insight into the important role Buddhism plays in their day-to-day lives. Then, there is also the Big Buddha statue, approximately a 16-minute drive away. At 45-metres tall and sitting on top of Nakkerd Hills, it is visible from afar, and the site itself offers 360-degree views of the island. A BOTTLE OF RUM
Don’t visit the Chalong area in Phuket without a visit to the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery. Thailand produces over 200 different varieties of sugarcane and Chalong Bay Rum is 100pc natural sugarcane rum. Along with getting a guided tour of the distillery to learn about how the award-winning rum is made, I was taught how to make three tasty cocktails. www.chalongbayrum.com WANDER AND WONDER In Old Phuket Town, there is a strong Portuguese and Chinese influence to be found in the colourful architecture. The streets are lined with shrines, temples, ornate shophouses, boutique and vintage shops, as well as cafes, restaurants, museums and street art. Visit on a Sunday to experience the street market on Thalong Road (from 5pm to 10pm) or stop by family-run Aroon restaurant for traditional roti (pan-fried bread) and curry. FROM SPORTING TO SHOPPING A good start to a day in Phuket was with a trip to Tiger Gym, to try my hand at Muay Thai (Thai boxing). While I won’t be winning gold medals any time soon, it was fun to attempt the national combat sport of Thailand. Tiger Gym is approximately a 10-minute drive from Central Festival Phuket, the largest shopping centre in Phuket, so of course I spent the afternoon here! Two great stops for a rainy day. www.tigermuaythai.com TREAT FOR THE SENSES After a long-haul flight, it’s worth treating yourself to a traditional Thai massage, and there are many masseuses to find in Phuket. For an immersive massage experience, visit Sukko Wellness & Spa Resort in Chalong, where herbal recipes and treatments have Ocean View Suite at The Nai Harn Phuket been handed down through generations. Not only did I experience a relaxing aromatherapy massage treatment, I also had a lesson on how to give massages (which can be booked with therapists). Afterwards, I enjoyed a traditional Thai buffet lunch. Stop by Sukko for the day or stay in one of the on-site spa villas. The resort is a true oasis in Phuket. www.sukkospa.com