[juz_mic]

Just completed my once a year trip to Phuket and touch down in Singapore just 2 hours ago. Writing to share some perspective of this place and hopefully can benefit others who are heading over in the same low season period. My experience is that of a solo traveller, whom have clock some mileage in the country. Phuket is almost a once every year affair. My last trip was exactly one year ago.

Disclaimer: The information i share is based on my actual experience, may not be what others have. So if using it as a reference, do not blame me if it do not coincide with your expectation.

Transport
This is the curse of Phuket and the reason why its development is confine to that of the surrounding of Jungceylon and Bangla Street. The taxis and tuk tuk are really pricey and restrict tourist movement. People will think twice about moving around as transportation cost build up really quickly.

I kept my cost really low as my hotel is in Soi San Sabai, like 30m from Bangla. When i reached airport, i took the mini-van transfer that cost B180 to the hotel. Maybe 30-45mins longer than a taxis ride, but its significant saving compared to a cab ride of B700. If 4 person is sharing the cost, cab is the way to go.

Ventured out on a day to Phuket town. Took the local bus along beach Road. Just get yourself to Beach Road and wait there for a light blue vehicle with yellow stripe moving at snail pace, picking up people along the road. There should be a header that read Patong - Phuket town. Cost B30. Need to have an idea if where you heading to though. My destination was Central Festival in Phuket Town and i did not explore further than that. To return, cross the road to the opposite road and wait. The local say the frequency is 20mins, but i waited for more than that.

My return to airport is more costly as i have a 945 flight. Booked a cab from one of the many travel agent booth for B700. Minivan at B200 per pax is available at these booth.

Mongering - agogo
I am quite a sucker for agogo. However, the agogo is quite disappointing to me. The quality of the girls and the fun factor is not comparable to anything Pattaya and Bangkok have to offer. Plus the Suzy Wing group pretty much controlled 6-7 out of the about 10 agogo there, there is no inventive for the agogo to impress. To each its own, but i certainly did not enjoy myself. The pressure for LD is quite bad and the girl kept ordering the Tequila shot which have the bill running really fast. Damage own drink is about B100 for local beer and 200-240 for LD. The action is similar to agogo in Bkk or Patts.

The turn off for me in Phuket agogo is really the stupid payment system. In Bkk and Patts, there is always a bill bin. You pay for everything at the end. In Phuket, they expect you to pay after every purchase. Worst thing is they almost expect a tip every time. Say you buy a B180 drink, you pay B200, they will not bother giving you the change. Say you buy a 240 LD and pay with B500, they will return you change in B220 note and then B40 in coin. And a word of caution, sometime they will take donkey year to give your change, hopefully you will forget it after indulging in the naked girl's company. I need to chase for the change in no less than 3 occasion. So my advice is bring plenty of loose B20 notes. I don't mind tipping but my name is not carrot.

Never tru to BF the girl from agogo so cannot comment on the rate. Do not see value in paying a barfine and then paying crazy rate for girls from agogo. Moreover, you probably have seem it all and touch it all already. I get my girl for the 3 nights from other channels. (To be continued - quite xiong writing on iphone. Will continue with Mongering - beer bar and disco, mongering - wechat, miscellaneous observations some other day)