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 Massage with hot herbs by Myndo
On the beach (Patong) you can be sure to be asked if you want one at least once a day by one of the many woman that have their places there.
An other possibility is at most hotels, they also provide this service. In special rooms, or you can also order them into your room.
Third possibility (and the one we choose) are Massage Saloons.
I am aware that the word "Massage" may have a sexual undertone, especially in some western tourists.
It actually happened to my friend once, that he was asked, whether he wanted a "hand relief" ... that was in a hotel. That was also the reason, I wanted to make sure we had a reliable and professionell place for a massage.
We asked around and found those: The Blooming Spa.
They are located at one of the roads back in Patong.
They offer the traditional Thai Massage as well as special feet and hand treatments and Massages with Herbs and Oils.
They were wonderful. If you make one of the longer treatments (they can be up to 2.45 hours long), then you go upstairs in one of the cubicles. You get clean clothes (some sort of kimono) - no, you will not be naked when they massage you.
Again: they are very good and quite cheap, too. Leave a Comment
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 Ghost House by Myndo
You will hardly ever see a building without a small ghost hut (like in the picture: ok, thats a ghost villa) or at least an altar.
Here they worship the ghosts of the place. They are pleased with food, drinks and flowers or other little presents.
To make them angry may bring floods or other disasters.
If you are driving around, you may also notice that a lot of people honk the horns of their cars when driving over the highest points of a pass. This is also to greet the ghosts of that place. Just join in (can't be bad, right?) Leave a Comment
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 Wei by Tina-Perth
The greeting if you're a female (speaking) is; "Sawatdee Kha", and if you're a male (speaking), it's "Sawatdee Krup", no matter whether you're addressing a male or female. It is considered impolite not to wei to someone that wei's to you, so be polite and show the Thai people that you are interested in their culture.
Young children are not supposed to be wei'd to, as it is a practise of respect, and respect is largely based on seniority in Thailand. Children should wei and greet an adult first.
Do not touch a Thai person on the head either, as the head is sacred and it is offensive to a Thai person. Only people who know eachother really well (as in family) or someone who has a much higher position is permitted to touch a Thai on the head. Touching a young child on the head is not considered inappropriate.
It's a shame I caught this little girl just as she was finishing wai'ing to me, but she was so gorgeous I had to put her picture up. Leave a Comment
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 bad behaviour by Myndo
They tend to "look over" our bad behaviour. So it is our own thing to adapt at the culture of the land we are visiting.
So please: don't lie on the beach without any clothes (I especially say this to the women who are lying around topless).
Try not to be too rude. It is still a pleasure to see what a smile you get back, if you smile at the people there. Leave a Comment
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Buddhists deem feet to be the lowest part of the body, they are unclean and as such, there are certain rules to observe.
1. Always remove footwear before entering a temple or a Thai person's house. Place them neatly at the door. Some other places also require footwear to be removed before entering. A good rule of thumb is that if you see shoes at the door, take yours off too.
2. Never use your feet to point towards anything, particularly people.
3. Never sit with your legs outstretched in front of you.
4. Never have your feet pointing towards any statues of Buddha. Leave a Comment
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 Complimentary "goodie bag"
available for visitors by sailor_pLeave a Comment
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 muslim children by Myndo
These boys I fotographed on the Sea Gypsie City in Pha Nga Bay. Most of them are Muslim, they even have built a Mosque out there.
You can have a look at the Mosque from the outsied, but it is no longer allowed to get in.
BTW. behind the boys is a big hawk. I have been only noticing it later, but I (and many more) just walked by it before. Leave a Comment
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Our friend introduced us to this traditional, ancient Thai massage. You start with a full-body oil massage which lasts for two hours. Much muscle/joint "reading" is done during the massage and it is the most therapeutic massage I've ever had. The girls explain how the pains in one side of my neck and head were coming from my calf! I guess it's based on the body's meridians. The masseuses have been taught by a master. The tools of their trade are pictured. The first piece is a bundle of joss-stick ends tied together to form a kind of brush. When a muscle or area fails to respond to massage, it is brushed to stimulate circulation. The second piece is a cow's horn which is used for pressure-points and the third piece is a kind of wooden "knuckle".
The second part of the massage is to be buried in sand at the beach. Your feet point toward the water and are buried deepest. The sand comes right up to your neck and it's actually very comfortable. You lie like this for 1-2 hours. The sensation is quite strange. It already feels interesting and pleasant to feel the weight of the sand compressing your muscles, but within moments, you actually feel your body (particularly hands and feet) throbbing. It's like an internal massage.
While you're buried in the sand, the girls give you a face sand massage. It may sound terrible, but it feels really good. Gradually they brush the sand away from your neck and arms and massage those with sand. Not only do you feel a gentle sloughing of your skin, but the release from the compression makes you feel really light. Anyhow, after you've been sand-massaged, you get up and wash off in the beautiful calm, warm water of the beach, then stay to watch the sunset.
I can't think of a time when my head has felt so clear, my body so light and energetic as after my first burial. It is a great experience. There is a group of disabled people (through stroke or accident) who go there almost daily for treatment and we have seen one man who has managed to leave his wheelchair through this therapy. Leave a Comment
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 Dress appropriately for
temples by Tina-Perth
Thai people find topless sunbathing on their beaches offensive, but accept it in very touristy areas. Modest dress is preferred, so if you're going shopping after the beach, it is better to grab something to put over your top rather than wear your bathers/bikinis. Be sure to never wear anything strappy, shoulderless or short, (no belly showing either) to a temple, museum or government office, as that is considered disrespectful, particularly in temples. It is shameful to see tourists not respecting the culture, but you do see plenty of them. The Thais are pretty accommodating though. Leave a Comment
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 Bug snacks by Tina-Perth
You even see young schoolkids going up to a stall and buying bags of them. Quite a change from seeing them buy McDonalds!
I believe they are crunchy with a nutty flavour - I'll pass, thanks. Leave a Comment
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- Backpacker Hostel Phuket
165 Ranong Rd Maung T Taladyai, Phuket - Karon Princess Hotel Phuket
194 Karon Road Karon Beach, Phuket - Patong Green Mountain Hotel Phuket
14 Soi Prabaramee 3, Phuket - Kata Poolside Resort
36-38 Kata Road Kata Beach, Muang, Phuket - Panwa Beach Resort Phuket
5/3 Moo 8, Ao Yon, Khao Khad Road, Tambon Wichit, Amphur Muang, Phuket - Aspasia
1/3 Laem Sai Road, Kata Beach, Karon Sub-District, Muang, Phuket - Hilton Arcadia Resort & Spa
333 Patak Rd Tambon Karon, Muang, Phuket - Patong Grand Ville
19 Sirirat Road Patong Beach, Phuket - Katathani Bhuri Beach Resort
14 Kata Noi Rd Karon, Muang, Phuket - Leelawadee Boutique Hotel Phuket
1/1 Siriraj Rd Patong Beach, Phuket - Laguna Beach Resort
Bang Tao Bay, Phuket - Marina Phuket
47 Karon Road Karon Beach, Phuket - Stoney Monday Oasis
35/1 Rat-U-Thit Road, Phuket - Karon Beach Resort Phuket
51 Karon Road Tambon Karon, Muang District, Phuket - Pacific Club And Spa
16 Soi 24 Patak Road, Phuket
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