Fighting It

Amran and I recently went to Phuket and by right we should still be in Phuket right now at this very moment. But my panic attacks overwhelmed me and we had to cut short our trip and return to Singapore earlier. Lots of money was wasted, as Amran still had to pay 100% of hotel charges for the remaining 4 nights. We also had to pay an extra $300 to change the dates of our flights. My anxiety disorder got the better of me during the trip I have to admit. I suppose it was too many things combined, what with me going on a new medication for the mind and being in a strange foreign land at the same time. Too stressful.

We did have some fun during the 3 days we spent there though. Or at least during the day when I wasn't as panicky as in the night.



While waiting to board the plane, we camwhored.



The hotel we stayed in was super awesome and well-stocked. They had every imaginable thing, chips, drinks, and as you can see here, even condoms, menstruation pads, talcum powder, and check this out, KY Lubricant for anal sex! No we did not use it. :)



Not only was the room super well-stocked, it wasn't just a room too! It was linked to our very own living room with a sofa, HD TV, DVD Player and a balcony! All for under $150/night. How awesome is that??



Amran takes a smoke in the balcony. As you can see, I am not standing there with him and is inside the living room behind the shut doors taking this photo as I DO NOT SMOKE ANYMORE!



Our comfy cosy bed. Guess what I was doing with the map? Circling all the available hospitals in Phuket. (By the way during our 3 day stay in Phuket, I rushed to two hospitals there, once on our second night, and once on our way to the airport on the last day, all thanks to my stupid panic attacks and overwhelming paranoia.)



Our room number on a cute elephant wooden board!



This is the view from this side of the room. Too serene! This calming view from different sides of the hotel really did help calm my nerves and panic attacks a great deal.



The simple and unassuming grocery store opposite our hotel.



Where we stayed, Hilltop Hotel. It's an absolutely absolutely awesome hotel with great service and a great view to boot. You know where to stay should you visit Patong! :D Only inconvenience is that it really is on a hilltop and getting around could be quite a bitch for some. But choose this hotel for its serenity!



This is the beginning of our long walk down the hill to get to town.



On and on we go!



Swarm of gnats at the bottom of the hill.



The beginning of our journey up the hill. It really does look like an entrance to some mysterious enchanted forest doesn't it! :D



Amran takes a nice candid picture of me taking in the Thailand air. Not like it's the freshest air around. So I don't quite remember what I was actually doing. Haha.



One of the many roadside stalls. No we didn't try any food from these stalls. We already got tummy aches eating at restaurants and cafes! Don't think our stomaches are strong enough for food from these stalls.



There are such shops everywhere in Phuket that sell such trashy clothes and lingerie. Sex is truly big there. (To Lim Jia Yi: I bought something for you from one of these shops! Hehehe..)



I love the guitar and the signboard of this pub! So damn cute!



Love the name of this salon too! Thais really have a knack for giving their businesses real simple and straightforward names. :D So simple and unassuming! <3



I was immensely cheered when I saw that we stayed relatively near to this building. Yes this is the first hospital I visited, immediately after a manicure which should have gone well. Nuff said.



Motorcycling is the most common way of travelling in Thailand as they're cheap and efficient enough.



My first meal in Phuket and of course it's Tom Yam soup. Unfortunately I've had even better soup in Singapore. The soup was very much toned down in terms of spiciness and flavour in order to suit the huge influx of ang moh tourists there. This was at their largest shopping centre, Jungceylon, and everything was really westernized. But we got to savour some authentic Thai food at other small restaurants.



This huge alien figurine is made entirely of old motorcycle parts, twisted and hammered with love into this work of art.



There is also a giant Predator, positioned in such a way that it looks like it's fighting the alien.



There are many of such tattoo parlours lying in every nook and cranny of Phuket and they mostly look this makeshift. Would you do a tattoo at one of these shops?



I found it hilarious that they had to include that disclaimer, "No Sex"! Boo hoo!



There's really no point for these "zebra crossings". Really no point at all. We crossed at our own risk. :D



Savouring the best pineapple rice I've ever eaten at one of the smaller restaurants I was talking about. Yum!!



This is my first time sitting in a tuk tuk. It was alright.

For the second and the third day, I wasn't really in the mood for taking pictures. Quite a waste actually, but it definitely won't be my last visit to Phuket.