I like Phuket. It's quiet, it's calm. Just the place one would come in search for inner peace. It reminds me much of my hometown, before it was developed a decade ago. Single storey shop lots along the road with narrow corridors; faithful, old time customers enjoying cups of tea and coffee, as they chat about their children and politics throughout the day, are a common scene.
As we head towards the outskirts, rubber trees increase in number. Soon, we are lost in the midst of rubber estates, save for a stretch of tarred road, leading us ahead. As we drive on in silence, we can even hear chirping birds and croaking frogs.
Phuket is blessed with amazingly beautiful views by the beach, and from the hills. As if it is insufficient, there's even a park with a big lake, for citizens to exercise, and breathe in fresh, unpolluted air. The aesthetic landscape is just superb.
King Rama IX Park
People here seem to be pretty contented. They don't mind the routined lifestyle or the slow traffic. In fact, they often open their doors to give alms to temple monks in faded yellow robes, who offer a prayer or two in return for their generosity. When life becomes too hectic, or too much to bear, with rough trials and tribulations, the temples offer refuge for its devotees too. Lost souls with nowhere to go, and lost aims in life, seek solace on tranquil temple grounds, until they regain their footing.
One thing that caught my eye was the number of 7-Eleven outlets in Phuket. At one corner, we spotted three 7-Eleven outlets at the T-junction. One before we turned, and another two more after we turned, directly opposite each other. 7-Eleven stores must be the most popular convenient store among the locals and tourists. Apparently, in Thailand, it requires just about THB 600-700 thousand ( That's RM 60-70k equivalent) to open a 7-Eleven outlet. Much more affordable, compared to McDonalds and KFC. No wonder everybody can afford to own one.
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