Rang Hill Viewpoint

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I have written a number of times about Rang Hill but it always seems to change.


They were extending the view on the top of Rang Hill - next to Tunka Cafe and I am not up to date on this but Dawn is and has some great photographs of what it looks like today - mine are only last month!

There is also a new road which will take you easily to the wonderful Wat Khao Rang.

Previous visits to Rang Hill

 1) 2014 - Restaurants, Monkeys and more 

 2) 2013 - A special cemetery 

 3) 2013 - The statue 

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Hongsyok House

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Hongsyok House is not somewhere which is open to the public because it is still a private house and home for the Hongsyok family.

BUT once a year - specifically for the Baba Weddings it will be open for people to visit the grounds. 

The grooms, brides and their entourages all paraded outside - whilst I had a peak inside. I just wish that I had know what to expect and been a little bit more organised.

It is certainly a real home of a real family.

What lovely tiling on the floor - have I seen this pattern elsewhere?

Clearly evidence of a family collecting its pieces.

Then a piano and family photographs - I was very lucky.

Previous visits

 1) May 2014 - Baba Weddings
 2) May 2012 

 2) September 2012 - Baba Weddings

 3) June 2011 - Baba Weddings 

 4) August 2010 - Baba Wedding and cocktails

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Bang Rong Mangrove Swamp and Pier

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Bang Rong is in the North East of Phuket. We have taken the boats here to the islands of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao.

This visit was to feed the monkeys and to walk on the bridges into the Mangrove swamp. We had seen the monkeys gather previously when we had had the visits.

BUT it was funny to see the monkey who obviously scared the 'nut seller' away and was left with the nuts which they were NOT going to share with anyone else.

We watched the monkey play on a local car.

Someone has built a walkway into the Mangrove Trees and there was even a sign which explained the tree to the reader... but this was the only one. Where were the rest?

Walking through we had a lovely time - there was nobody else on the whole trip.

Well there was this man with a catapult scaring away the wild monkeys - this was a little scary .

The sun came down and then the mosquitos were coming out - so we left swiftly.

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มูลนิธิกุศลธรรมภูเก็ต - A Chinese Shrine and more

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มูลนิธิกุศลธรรมภูเก็ต is a Chinese Shrine which I first visited to make a blessing for my birthday. Since then I found out that I visited here when I had an accident in the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2012 - they are also a place connected to a Hospital.

This Shrine is technically not a Chinese Shrine, looking at the descriptions it is an attached place of worship to the Hospital, Association and the School adjacent to it.

The Shrine is on the outskirts of Phuket Town and is set back from the road. There is a car park in front, on the left is the school and then in front is an open Shrine. So I would treat this like a Shrine but it is not referred to as a Shrine in the Internet guides and in Foursquare but I will.

Walking in you walk through an open door where you are able to purchase donations to the shrine - this is necessary (remember to take off your shoes as you enter).

There is an opportunity to shake the sticks here, ring the bell and make a donation.

The Shrine downstairs is an electric version - these are becoming more common. Then take the steps up on the right hand side - and them later down on the left hand side.

When you walk upstairs the Shrine is similar but upstairs have conch's / blocks to toss.

The Shrine is open to the outside and people will ask for blessings out here into the distance - apparently it is not necessary to have an Idol if this situation exists.

The top shrine has a second place for asking for blessing, shaking the sticks and ringing a bell.

The third shrine is also an electronic shrine but I am happy that they do not have a money slot and seem to be the same. Noticing the small cups of Chinese tea in front I would imagine that taking care of the Shrines is an intense job - thank you.

Interestingly (for me) I found that there were idols which had cloaks on and they do not normally have cloaks on - I would imagine that this is similar to when the Buddhist images are 'dressed' at a particular time of the year?

My favourite are the icons which are draped with necklaces - reminding me of the necklaces that I always hope to get given during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

Previous Visits

 1 ) My Birthday 2014  

 2 ) Vegetarian Festival 2012 accident

Central Festival - more visitis

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Central Festival is a large Thai owned Shopping Mall situated on the outskirts of Phuket Town, currently (September 2014) next to a lot of road works.

Inside the mall is a large Shop called Central and outside this are 

small shops, restaurants, a cinema , coffee shops, a supermarket and outside them are smaller stand up shops - have a look at all these photographs. I have posted some below - here are more.

The Website gives an overview of what is here so that is always a good start.

For us we like the cinema, Joob Joob Cup Cakes, Zen restaurant, B2S, shoe shopping, Central Supermarket and lots of the little carts.

There are a number of floors to visit and you can spend a lot of money - if you do buy from Central Store and you are a tourist leaving the country with the items you are able to get the tax back.

Previous Posts

 1) Nail Art (July 2014)

 2) A visit (August 2013)
 3) A visit (January 2012)

 3) A visit (July 2010)

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