Patong, Phuket

Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Thu 23 Dec 2010 07:04
 
Thursday 23rd December
 
We had to hire a car for another few days as Paul needed to make regular visits to the chandlery's and sail makers which are all too far in a taxi, so whilst we had wheels we decided it was about time that we visited the famous Patong. The area of Patong began to metamorphose from a hippy paradise into a commercial centre during the 1970's. It is now a mass of neon signs advertising hotels, massage parlours, restaurants, straight bars, gay bars, nightclubs, shops and anything else you could dream of. Definitely not the real Thailand but somewhere you have to visit, if not just to see the masses of 'ladyboys' out on the streets or in the bars. Some can be quite beautiful and difficult, if not impossible, to tell apart from the real thing, many many men have been caught out by them! Paul was fooled by one, but Amy decided that the manly voice was a bit of a give away.
 
  
 
Patongs tuk-tuks......Some with neon lights!
 
  
 
Bright lights, cars, bikes and people everywhere!
 
  
 
Girls dancing...........Ladyboys dancing
 
We ate a lovely meal in one of the side streets away from the hundreds of tourists and bright lights but strolled along the main road after dinner to take in the sights. You are constantly hassled by men, women and ladyboys to go and see a 'ping-pong show', some may know what these are and others may not but I'm afraid I'm not going to explain on here. We didn't actually go to see one, Paul say's it's something to do on a boys night out. I don't think there's anything wrong in going to see one once just out of interest though. Perhaps on new year's eve when we go back!
 
We eventually found our way to the huge stretch of beach and realised we should have eaten along there. All along the edge of the beach on the roadside were food stalls with tables and chairs, as well as bars with music playing. Nevermind, next time!
 
 
Pretty lanterns in the palm trees lining the beach
 
  
 
The food stalls - we won't eat from the ones selling cooked bugs, crickets or cockroaches though!