In Reply to: Interesting you say that... posted by the_wilkos on Wednesday, 8. August 2007 at 15:15 Bali Time:
I've just returned (about 7 weeks ago) from my third trip to Phuket -one of many to Thailand. I still absolutely love it. I am off to Bali in 3 weeks after a break from travelling to anywhere in Indonesia over the last 15 years. The main reason to return to Bali (staying in Ubud and surrounds) is to give it another "go". I have found Phuket to be a little expensive in some ways but this time I went with my sister who is a very regular traveller to Indonesia. She did fall into the trap of comparison (I think lots of us compare various travel destinations - especially in Asia for some reason) and found that Phuket just had an edge as far as quality in food, gorgeous pristine beaches and accommodation; not necessarily that she found the variety as wide, just higher quality. However, you get what you pay for, she states. I have never been sick in Thailand; she has been ill with the familiar "Bali belly" on several occasions. I don't go to Patong in Phuket and don't intend going to Kuta in Bali at the end of this month, hence my venture to Ubud and the north. Patong has no soul (in my opinion) and I hear a similar view about Kuta. Apart from shopping (a universal tourist - not traveller, there's a difference - habit so it seems) there's not much happening in Patong and neither it appears in Kuta area; well apart from massage, drinking, eating and fake this and that.
However, I may be proved wrong in a few weeks and will look forward to my view being challenged when I visit!!!!
Cheers.