Jax, we are staying at the Patong Merlin. I know its got good and bad reviews but it is central, good price and great pools for kids. Because we are right at the start of their low season (April to October) we got the "stay 10 pay 5" nites which made it even more cheap. Its south Patong near the Otop markets.

Karin, you certainly did fit a lot into one day trip! We plan to do most of that in 3 trips. One day doing phi phi, one day doing phang nga and probably half a day doing the elephant thing. We will also go to Phuket Fantasea and probably Simon Cabaret. Apart from that, its lotsa shopping, eating and relaxing!!! What a perfect holiday!

The Friday night BBQ is run by Phuket Richard, and yes is meant to be very popular and a hit with aussies. Apparently you have to book early and Im pretty sure his details are on Cathys pages. I think he also does good elephant treks to Kok Chang if I remember rightly. Apparently also the Phuket weekend nite markets are meant to be better and cheaper than any in patong, so we will be trying to get to them.

Only 22 more sleeps for me!

Kitty

Sorry ... Karin ... where is this Big Buddha you mentioned? I havent come across it in any brochures or on the forum.
Thanx. Kitty

Big Buddah is in Samui, north of Chaweng

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Thankyou the all-informative Shane. Well ... thats why I hadnt come across it in my search of things to do and see in Phuket! It will have to be listed for future "see and do" as Im sure one day I will get to Koh Samui ... and Koh Lanta ... and Krabi .... and Ao Nang ... and all the other beautiful places you all talk of soooooo fondly!

is near Wat Chalong which is in part of Phuket (correct me if I am wrong). I thought I must have got the wrong idea where it was but I just goggled it and checked. There are actually 2 buddas, one large, one smaller. Definetly looks like it is worth seeing and we will check it out when we get a taxi/driver to take us around the sights...

Thanx Karin ... there must be Big Buddhas everywhere!!! Do you know how far Wat Chalong is from Patong, and do you think it is worth hiring a driver to go see it?? Did you google it under "Big Buddha"?

Sorry once again for multiple posts - this forum is indeed addictive!
Ive just googled "big buddha phuket" and several replies come up. All I can work out is that in January it was still under construction and that is is on a big hill in Southern Phuket, but with no exact location. Does anybody know exact location and if it is completed, or if it isnt, is it still worth a visit?
Kitty

Hi Kitty,
Wat Chalong is near Phuket Zoo. I dont remember seeing A Big Buddah there that was complete or at any stage of construction but it has been a few years since we have been there. I would'nt make a special trip to see it, particularly as it sounds like you will be doing some wat watching in Bangkok but it might be worth combining a flying visit with a trip to the Zoo or a trip to Phuket town or you could combine it with your elephant ride day if you are getting a driver for that. Dont forget the "After Beach" bar and restaraunt that is near KOK Chang SAfari. Amazing views and great food. Dont forget to factor in plenty of R and R time....eat,drink and be merry.

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Hi Kitty,
The big buddha, is about 6kms from Wat Chalong but I have been to neither but intend to in May. Have a look at these web sites

Jamie's Phuket
he has 2 entries about the big buddha

Phuket Big Buddha: A big idea becomes a giant landmark
this is part of asia webdirect which has a heap of info on what to do see in Phuket. It has some good photo's info on the Buddha. It has some really nice views from it from what I have read.

Cheers

Karin

For some reason my web address were replaced by links so you will have to troll through everything on Jamies page and look for Big Buddha references or viewpoints. Very interesting info though. Or try these but put www in place

jamie-monk.blogspot.com

phuket.com/magazine and look up big buddha