Phuket: Solitary relaxation

Have you ever spent an entire day alone?

Alone as in there can be crowds of people around you, but you’re not talking to them, engaging in conversation or even sharing eye contact. You’re plugged into your own thoughts, ideas and paranoia.

Sound intimidating?

The city, no matter how big, becomes too familiar, too concrete and claustrophobic. It’s not rare if my bag is stuffed with a swimsuit and a plane ticket, ready to hit the waves at every given opportunity.

So last month, I made a short trip to Phuket to meet L for a long weekend, almost one year since we were last in the south of Thailand.

The first day was strictly for myself. I caught up with reading, listened to multiple podcasts (ask me about online dating, satanism, or the Great Pyramids), took a midnight dip outside my hotel room and even squeezed in a morning work out at 6:30am.

Good food, the ocean and my own company is good for the soul. Solitary relaxation from time to time is almost absolutely necessary for me to function as a human being. Here’s my trip in a few snapshots:

 

 

 

 

 

Tips: 

• My taxi was around 800 THB from airport to the hotel and took approximately 1.5 hours, whereas Grab would have cost me well over 1,000 THB
• I don’t usually splurge on hotels, especially in Thailand where budget is quite comfortable, but this weekend was dedicated to optimum relaxation and the hotel was well worth it
• Walk around Old Phuket, eat to your heart’s content, forget calories
• Rent a car to get around if you are staying in the south of the island

Hotel & restaurant recommendations:

• My Beach Resort; located at almost the most southern tip of the island
• Tu – Kab – Khao; some of the best Thai food I’ve ever had
• Torry’s Ice Cream; perfect for those with a sweet tooth and there’s plenty of food options around Old Phuket