Things to do (closed): March 2015

Friday, 27 March 2015

Art from the Sea

Art from the Sea (Niran's Driftwood Gallery) is an artist which I had read about on the Internet which was based in Rawai but they were in Phuket for a period.

"A visit to Phuket would be incomplete without taking a look at the charm and eclectic, hippie chic of the south. The small lanes leading from the main roads into Nai Harn and Rawai are a labyrinth of artistic flair and home to music studios, sculpture gardens, art studios and galleries, and a staggering array of attractive curios that you won’t want to miss.

Many of the artists and Thai locals in the area have made it their ambition to preserve the local culture of Phuket and Thailand and you will observe a great deal of the heritage and tradition that has made Thailand the magnificent Kingdom it is today. One such artist is Niran Chanhom, owner of, Niran’s Driftwood Gallery.

Originally from Chiang Mai, in the northern part of Thailand, Niran, relocated to Phuket a number of years ago because of his love for the sea, and it was fruit from the sea in the form of driftwood that became the means to release the marvel’s creativity and express his spectacular artistic flair.

Gentle and softly spoken, Niran’s tender nature makes you feel at home and at ease. Extremely polite, Niran is happy to show you around his gallery, make you a cup of coffee and sit down and chat with you about art, politics or travels. The wise man himself is indeed, a work of art in motion, seeing his eyes light up and his humble joy as a visitor compliments his work is itself, a masterpiece."

text from Absolute Thai

It is all art made from driftwood and any discarded materials - the eyes of the fish and the robot are made from the fishing net weights.

Then what was this?

There is also a number of pieces of art as well. Definitely worth popping in and Niran and his wife and so welcoming...

Saturday, 21 March 2015

Chinese Temple Shopping

Chinese Temple Shopping is something which I was first introduced to when I was sitting in a coffee shop 'Sweet 'n Treats' at the bottom of Rang Hill and I watched a delivery arrive across the road of these items you see in every Chinese Temple.

When a friend in the UK wanted me to purchase some Moon Blocks (or Bwa Bwei 擲筊 Divination Blocks) for them I came here.

This particular shop is on the roundabout in Phuket Town where the local buses drop you and where there is a nice coffee shop - Phuketique (was Coffee Max) to visit whilst you are waiting for one to arrive. In fact the Chinese Temple Shop is opposite it on the other side of the road leading to the market and Jui Tui Shrine at the other end.

You might want to vist here for the same reason as me but there are a plenty of reasons to visit.

I always wondered where to get the enormous models of a car that are used in all types of Chinese Ceremony.

Then the money that is burnt.

Does anyone know what this treated wood is that they burn in the Shrines?

Click here for it's Location and below is a map - Shopping for the Shrine (2)

Sunday, 15 March 2015

Wat Chalong Buddhist Temple (2015)

Wat Chalong is a wonderful example of a Thai Buddhist Temple.

I recently came across this text with Triposo - an App that I was reviewing for my Travel App Blog and their review of Wat Chalong.

"The most important of the 29 buddhist temples of Phuket is Wat Chalong or formally Wat Chaiyathararam , located in the Chalong Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District. It is dedicated to two highly venerable monks, Luang Pho Chaem (หลวงพ่อแช่ม) and Luang Pho Chuang (หลวงพ่อช่วง), who led the citizens of Chalong Subdistrict fighting against the Chinese rebellion in 1876 and with their knowledge of herbal medicine helped the injured."

It is the most popular and revered of the Buddhist Temples in Phuket and also the busiest so for a 'personal retreat' it is not always the best choice but it is very popular with TripAdvisor and it is close to Big Buddha. Jamie in Phuket has written a post as well.

There are a number of different temples to visit and I would visit each one - there is one with an entire ceiling in a mural of sorts but it would need me to take time to catalogue it all - another time.

Previous Temple visits

1) Wat Chalong Temple Fair 2015
2) Wat Chalong Temple Fair 2014
3) Wat Chalong Temple Fair 2013
2) Wat Chalong Temple Fair 2012
3) Wat Chalong 2012
4) Wat Chalong 2009

Monday, 9 March 2015

Khao Toh-Sae (Monkey Hill in Phuket Town)

Monkey Hill in Phuket Town has undergone a number of changes over the years that we have been visiting.

People still exercise by walking up and down the hill. There are a great deal more wild dogs which can be found as you make your way up the hill - many people still jog up and down.

There are now a number of wild pigs which have taken up residence and can be found usually resting somewhere in the shade.

The viewpoint site near to the top of the hill has now been completed and they have made quite a good job of it. There was a geocache here but it seems to have been disturbed and is no longer there! There is a restaurant near by - Green Forest - and a small Chinese Shrine to visit - Po Ta To Sae Shrine.

Then there are the number of signs indicating that it is dangerous to feed these monkeys as they are wild! We did notice this as we got out carefully and as we spent more time there the number of monkeys asking for food became a little large and we chose NOT to ignore the signs!