Day 15 of The Big Adventure, according to Sarah
We were awoken annoying early by some rather rowdy neighbours having a loud conversation at 5am. We had set an alarm so that we would wake up before it got too hot outside. But that went out the window and the snooze button came into play. 

When we did finally wake from our slumber we decided today would be a good day to buy Sarah some more possessions before we headed to the islands. We wandered out of the hostel to the nearest ‘shopping centre’ – I use that term lightly. 

On our way we passed a travel agent with a board outside showing boat times to Phi Phi (pronounced PeePee). The friendly travel agent came outside and asked if we’d like more information and to come in and have a chat. So we went and sat inside and booked a boat to PhiPhi for the very next day. We were very aware that there were a lot of islands for us to see and only 2 weeks to see them so we couldn’t hang about. We opted for the 11am ferry rather than the 8am – we’d learnt our lesson with early starts. 

With that all booked, we continued on our way to the ‘shopping centre’ which was comprised of a small supermarket and one clothes market stall. After a quick google, we decided there would be more shopping options in Patong – an area of Phuket right next to the beach and a lot more touristy. So we headed in the direction of the local bus station to try to catch a bus to Patong. With no idea what to expect, we walked into the bus station and tried to ask at the ticket desk which bus was headed to Patong. There were 5 people behind windows, all on their phones, and non of them so much as glanced up when I asked which bus was going to Patong. Oh good. 

So we wandered around and were accosted by some taxi drivers (with rather obvious motives) who asked where we were going. They helpfully showed us to the correct bus stop and told us the buses only went every hour. To our amazement the bus was just pulling out, so we flagged him down and hopped in. Perhaps the first bit of good luck we’d had on our Big Adventure. It was a rather luxurious minibus with leather seats and aircon. We could get used to this. 

It was a 40 minute drive and dropped us off just outside a market area. We had a wander and found a wider variety of clothes here – perfect! We managed to get a new dress for Sarah and a new tshirt each (both with elephants on – embracing ‘traveller chic’). 

It was midday by this point and a blood-boiling 35degrees. We were both fading so decided to find a restaurant with some aircon and cool down for a little. 

We wandered back to the Main Street and settled for Casa Blanca – an Italian/ Persian fusion restaurant. It didn’t have air con – dammit – but it did have all of the fans. So we sat down directly in front of the biggest fan and enjoyed the breeze. We both ordered some breakfast items; a mushroom and cheese omelette for Lauren and boiled eggs and toast for me. I made the rookie error of not specifying I wanted them boiled for 4 minutes and when they arrived at the table they had been boiled to oblivion. 

So instead of my usual dippy eggs and soldiers, I had to improvise and make a boiled egg sandwich. 

After cooling down with all of the fans, we ventured back out into the midday heat. 

We looked around more of the market with not much luck and decided it was time for some cold refreshments. Lauren opted for an almond magnum-esk ice cream and I ordered an ‘ice pink milk’ – which was essentially just a very icy strawberry milkshake – YUM. 

We wandered back to where the bus had dropped us off and hoped we’d be able to catch a bus back from the same place. Luckily, a minibus pulled up a few minutes later and said he was going in that direction so we hopped in. 

On the way to Patong we had passed a huge shopping complex which was centred around a giant Tesco Lotus (Asia’s answer to Tesco) which also had an F&F sign outside so we thought we’d stop off there on the way back to see what clothes they had on offer. 

The clothing options were somewhat limited but I managed to get some activewear shorts and tshirt (I literally look like I’m going to the gym), a navy vest top and some new pants. At this point, I had been living in the same 2 pairs of pants for 2 weeks, which was kind of gross but also worked surprisingly well. The only lingerie options available at Tesco lotus were multi packs of what can only be described as granny pants. I chose ones with the nicest pattern I could find (reminiscent of granny curtains) and decided I couldn’t be picky and that any pants were better than no pants. 

We then had a wander around the toiletries section and bought some more conditioner and other essentials. 

We then stupidly headed to the biscuit/confectionary isle and decided it would be a good idea to stock up on snacks. 

We wandered through the shopping complex, which seemed to be weirdly filled with food options and nothing else. But we did stumble across a Boots – so we bought some insect repellent and Argan hair treatment and went on our way. 

We headed back outside to where the bus had dropped us and prayed we wouldn’t have to wait too long for the next one. 

We stood by the side of a really quite main road (dual carriageway almost) and waited. We saw a pink bus that was crammed with locals and a grand total of zero westerners and asked the driver if he was going to the old town. He replied ‘yes we go to Phuket town’. Errrrr… We weren’t entirely sure if Phuket town and Phuket old town were the same place but we figured it was worth the risk and jumped on the back, along with about 20 Thai school children. This bus was more of a ute with some wooden structure built on the back with wooden benches along each side for the passengers. This was definitely how the local travelled – there was a grand total of zero westerners onboard until we hopped on. 

  
We followed where it was going on google maps – we were going in the right direction and things were looking good. Until the bus made a few unexpected turns and we seemed to be getting further and further away from our hostel. 

Thankfully, the bus was just taking a scenic route and ended up dropping us at the end of our road – perfect! Things just seemed to be working out today. We had somehow managed to conquer Phuket’s public transport system in a day. 

  
As we wandered home, we came across a second hand bookshop so we stopped and had a little look. We both ended up getting a book – something to keep us entertained on long journeys or whilst lazing on the beach. Turns out, Lauren and I have very different taste in books; Lauren went for a very macho crime thriller and I went for an embarrassingly girly chic flick. 

Once we’d chosen our books we looked around the shop for who we were supposed to pay. The place was deserted. We ended up shouting ‘hello… Helllloooohh?!’ To no prevail. 

Just as we were about to give up, we notice a man sitting at a table outside, reading, and decide he must be our man. So we pay for our books and head back to the hostel to change in time for dinner. 

We decide to head back to Eleven Two & Co, this time well within cocktail happy hour. 

Lauren ordered a ‘pink tequila surprise’ and I had a mango mojito. The drinks arrived and were both equally delicious. We also order some more vegetable Spring rolls (we can’t get enough vegetable Spring rolls) and some chicken satay sticks. We sit and enjoy our cocktails and chicken satay and get a little merry. 

  We then order a second round of cocktails before happy hour is up: Lauren went for a cucumber pineapple cooler and I went for a pina colada. Again, both delicious, we decide this restaurant is the best. After the starters and the cocktails we realise we aren’t actually hungry enough for a main course, so Lauren pipes up with the bright idea ‘why don’t we just order dessert?’ DING DING DING – she was onto a winner. 

So I ordered a soft mango crepe – which looked like a crepe filled with meringue and mango – YUM. 

  They didn’t have either of the desserts Lauren had set her heart on, so she had to settle for a chocolate waffles – tough life. When it arrived it was the same size as her face and we realised we definitely should have shared. 

  
I finished mine off (just about) but Lauren barely made a dent in hers, so we asked if they’d box it up so we could take it home. 

After essentially everyone had left we decided it was probably  home time for us too. Thankfully we lived just around the corner so didn’t have to walk too far before we’d be in bed. 

On our way we passed the cutest little square with fairy lights hanging from the tree sand old fashioned bicycles

  
Alas, it was finally bed time. So we curled up next to Barney and fell asleep.