Have Perut Will Travel...: HKT Day 2 │ A Guided Tour Pt1 • Big Buddha and Beyond!

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Saturday, 8 August 2026

HKT Day 2 │ A Guided Tour Pt1 • Big Buddha and Beyond!

A Quiet Anniversary Morning

We woke at 6:30am, the sky still pale over Patong. Today marked our 28th Wedding Anniversary, and instead of a fancy dinner or a lazy beach day, we chose something simple: a half day guided tour around Phuket’s heritage sites for RM71.99 (≈ USD18/EUR15). The calm morning felt like the perfect beginning.

Pickup at Patong Heritage

By the time we reached the Patong Heritage lobby, we were fully awake and ready. At 7:29am, a minivan marked 31 9070 arrived right on time. Our guide Afifah (Kate) and driver Mr. Soop/Soup greeted us warmly. After picking up more passengers at Baumanburi Hotel, we were on our way by 7:40am.

Karon Viewpoint — 30 mins

At 8:10am, we reached Karon Viewpoint, one of Phuket’s most photographed lookouts. From the hill, the coastline unfolded in perfect layers — Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon beaches stretching out beneath a cool morning breeze. A serene start to the tour.

Wat Chalong — 30 mins

By 8:50am, we arrived at Wat Chalong, Phuket’s most revered temple. We offered a quiet prayer for peace and safety for the family, standing before the shrine of Luang Poh Cham. If those prayers come true, we may return to light firecrackers in gratitude.

Big Buddha — 60 mins

At 9:50am, we reached the highlight of the day — the Big Buddha, Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri. Before exploring the viewpoint, we headed straight to the prayer hall. Warm fingers tied the sai sin around our wrists, the monk’s chanting echoing softly. We completed the coin ritual, dropping one coin into each brass bowl, making simple wishes for health and safety. Stress faded; calm settled.

Outside, the panorama was breathtaking — Chalong Bay glittering to the east, Kata and Karon stretching west, Phuket Town far on the horizon, rainforest rolling below. Strong winds and soft bell sounds made the hilltop feel spiritual and timeless. We ended the stop with a hot coffee while waiting for the group.

Prayai Changthai Elephant Camp — 10 mins

At 11:05am, we made a brief stop to see a baby elephant. A fellow traveller, asked to pose with it, ended up being tugged and nudged — not pleasant. We were glad to keep a respectful distance.

Mermaid Gem Souvenir Shop — 10 mins

We arrived at 11:30am for a quick restroom break. We found fridge magnets we liked, but with a THB500 minimum and no cash accepted, we skipped the purchase and left within minutes.

Big Bee Farm — 30 mins

At 11:45am, we visited Big Bee Farm. The beekeeping basics were mildly interesting, but the product push made it feel like another commercial detour. We quietly switched off and waited for the time to pass.

Si Burapha Cashew Nut Factory — 30 mins

At 12:10pm, we reached Si Burapha Cashew Nut Factory, the only stop that truly engaged us. We learned how cashews are grown and processed, then bought: