Old Town Festival

Yes indeed (on the comment on previous post), Phuket looks like Europe. Apart from the occasional stray Thai, wandering around between bloated white beer bellies – I never get why these guys seem to enjoy showing off the belly by either wearing no shirt or opening up the shirt - red burned faces and heat exhausted sweaty beer guzzling tourists, it’s really like Europe on a hot and summery day. Absolutely not enjoyable if you expect to find ‘Asia’ (which in itself is of course a bit of a silly notion).

It’s still Asia. Just a different kind.

If you want similar or better beaches, islands, diving and swimming, without the feeling you're actually back in Europe, go to Malaysia.

The second day we went to Phuket Town, and that was a pleasant surprise. I expected a similar beach scenery, with too many tourist shops selling the same stuff and an overpopulation of westerners. But it was a nice city that reminded me a bit of Hanoi, and away from the west coast beaches, so not totally tourist infested. We ended up in the middle of the Phuket Old Town Festival, which was a very nice surprise, seeing the local activities going on, spread out over quite an area in the city, with music, food and performances.

As usual, click on the pics for a bigger version...

Thai school boys having fun with Thai school girls in the boat, which just passed under the bridge...

Women praying...

That brought back some memories...

Performing...

Waiting for their turn and possibly checking out the competition... Note the details on the head gear (click for a larger pic)

Sunset over Phuket Town...

Thai choir of elderly performing...