Have car will travel

We had hired a car to take our daughter to the airport where we bade a sad farewell.

After all the dramas we had experienced at airports in recent times we decided to leave in plenty of time. We were so early that our daughter was put on an earlier flight which worked out well as it meant less of a rush at KL to get onto her connecting flight to New Delhi.

As we had a car for the rest of the day we decided to explore old Phuket town – something we hadn’t done yet.

We were pleasantly surprised by the old town – there was some really interesting architecture (including the graceful old Post Office and a some beautiful old hotels and restaurants.)

The residential area was also interesting with sweeping avenues of stately town houses and some brightly painted shop-houses dating back to when Phuket was established as a tin mining town more than a hundred years ago.

We came upon a pedestrians only street (maybe only at the weekend?) where there was a wonderful, vibrant, market.

There was a riot of colour wherever you looked – food, clothes, toys, shoes, drinks, and fabrics, all competing with each other for attention. A visual feast!

We escaped the bustle of the market area and unexpectedly but fortuitously, came upon a wine bar where the wine on sale was made from grapes imported from Australia.

It was reasonably priced (less tax on grapes than wine!) and tasted really good. The bar also served good food and had an amazing second hand book store next door with books in every language you could think of.