Phuket town, Patong Beach

Went to temple number 4 this morning, Shrine of the Serene Light. I think just the name alone is worth the visit - though it is rather difficult to find as it is tucked in the court yard in the middle of a block, accessible only by a narrow alleyway. It's another 200-year old Chinese temple, again indicative of the long presence of Chinese traders in the region. Pictures will follow.

So Phuket town, noted as stepping stone to all the minor island of lower Thailand - well, my assessment is that unless you're a hedonist in search of brainless decadence, skip it. It has some local charm for a tiny town with lots of local shops lined with high tension wires and various construction going on, but really not worth more than 2 day stay unless you're keen on diving and snorkeling. Patong beach is really not my thing after this afternoon's brief visit. It's basically all old white men with their guts hanging out chasing local young Thai girls. Seems to be throbbing with an undercurrent of various shades of excesses between hedonism and sin. Pubs, restaurants, massage parlors line the streets all catering to western tourists who come from far and wide in search of sun and ways to spend their high value currencies. It's almost disgusting to see how many of these men - who are seemingly social-outcast in their home nations - come here to exploit the socio-economic imbalance and quaff up the ethnic women. I'm not even talking about the sex tourism, although maybe I am too ignorant to distinguish.

Anyway, I digress. Bought my first souvenir today and feel the pang of the dread tourist tax as my bargaining skills still are rotten. Bumped into a Canadian lass and hung out with her in the town and night market area until late. She has a quote: "I think... therefore I am single." Rather amusing.

Tomorrow am heading out on a boat tour around James Bond Island...