Falling inlove with Phuket

CEBU, Philippines - One of the most enriching and rewarding experiences a person can have is to see how life is lived in other countries. It allows us to indulge  in other interests and partake in new facets of life which we hardly knew existed.

Traveling to other destinations has become so affordable thanks to the friendly competition among airlines.  Cebu Pacific Airways, the low-cost airline currently operating  the most domestic destinations, flights and routes in the Philippines, recently added  another direct international service  from Manila to the popular resort island of Phuket, Thailand, ensuring once again  that with their low, low fares, every Juan  can truly fly and explore the globe.

On the invitation of Cebu Pacific, twelve media practitioners representing different news agencies in the Visayas and Mindanao embarked on a five- day-four-night familiarization tour of  Phuket to explore historical interests, marvel at the  fascinating stretch of white sand and heavy surf  beaches and engage in some unusual souvenir buys.

Many new hotels have gone up in Phuket during the past decade and several of the older hostelries  are undergoing remodeling. We stayed at the luxurious Novotel Vintage Park situated right at the heart of Patong seaside featuring contemporary mixed Southeast Asian architecture with  modern fixtures and amenities .

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and connected to the mainland by a bridge at its northern end. Its surroundings are what holiday dreams are made of: turquoise seas, crescent bays, vibrantly rich reef teeming with interesting marine life and several beautiful islets. Frequently cited as the "Pearl of the Andaman", Phuklet is the premier tourist destination in  the Andaman Sea. The island was one of Thailand's chief tin-mining regions, but now resort tourism is the main industry. Phuket also produces mainly rubber, coconuts and pepper. Most of the inhabitants are Buddhist, Chinese and Thai. Others include Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and a minority group called "New Thais" or Chao Ley (fishermen).

Here's a run-through of Phuket's must-visit tourist attractions.

Beaches Few islands can boast of such an abundance of sandy beaches and clear waters as Phuket. The winding coastal roads along the west coast offer magnificent views and easy access to some of the world's finest beaches such as Kata Noi, Kata and Karon beach.

Old Phuket Town was built on riches reaped from Phuket's tin boom of the last century, when the metal was an extremely valuable commodity. You will see grandiose mansions, once occupied by the islands tin barons built over 100 years ago . The architectural style of these buildings clearly shows the influence of the Sino-Portuguese immigration which had much more depth than width. One distinct feature is the beautiful stencil work on the windows and doors. In this historically rich part of town, you will find shrines, temples, ornate and beautifully preserved shop houses, quaint cafes, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums.

Big Buddha is located on the top of the Nakkerd Hills and looks down over Chalong, Kata and Rawai.It is one of the island's most important and revered landmarks. The huge image is 45 meters high and it is easily seen from far away.  Next to it stands a smaller, golden image that is actually made of brass and there is a shrine near the site's car park.

Tiger kingdom is the newest attraction in Phuket that sits on four acres of land.  It allows visitors the opportunity to get up close with several Indochinese tigers of varying ages and sizes that have been raised by hand in captivity since birth. Predictably enough, the baby tigers are the most popular. There are strict procedures to follow before entering an enclosure  and safety rules are listed on colorful signs throughout the property.

Patong Beach night market have many small stalls that line the streets offering everything from t-shirts and clothing, wood carvings, shoes and bags, CDs and DVDs. Bargain hard for anything you buy as the items are negotiable. Starting prices are often quite ridiculously high, so just halve the original price and meet somewhere in between.

Jungceylon Shopping Complex has radically changed the face of shopping in Patong. The two main stores in the complex are Robinson - a gleaming well-lit upper end department store, and Big C supermarket. There are over 200 other stores in this shopping heaven that sell clothes, cosmetics, perfumes, computer games, tons of mobile phones and accessories and  electrical goods.

Phuket FantaSea is a unique cultural theme park that promises to be the ultimate in night-time entertainment. Inspired by Thailand's rich and exotic heritage, FantaSea not only showcases the charm and beauty of Thailand, but also enriches ancient Thai traditions with the wonder of cutting edge technology and special effects. The result is a stunning 140 acre theme complex, packed with a multitude of activities and entertainment. Inside the property is the Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant that offers a sumptuous feast of Royal Thai dishes and international delicacies, prepared by some of Thailand's finest chefs.

Thai massage  is an essential part of a lifestyle that enables you to achieve harmony and balance in mind, body and spirit as you journey through life. Rarinjinda Wellness Spa offers treatments that are creatively adapted from traditional and contemporary spa theories around the world and delivered in traditional Thai hospitality and style.

Phuket was simply fascinating and spiritually rewarding . It gave us the freedom and flexibility that daily life  does not allow. Our able  companions, knowledgeable and resourceful   guides and efficient chaperons , Viveca Singson of JG Summit and  Michelle de Guzman of Cebu Pacific together with  Charles Lim of Selrahco made certain we went home with unforgettable, happy memories to last a lifetime.