Michelle

…there’s really nothing to do here if you are a visitor. It has a general store and post office, but that’s about it (the local Primary School closed in 1996). Good place to move if you are a current or retiring farmer and would like a slow-paced lifestyle with good neighbours. :) [EDIT: This place is not to be confused with Mt. Buffalo, Vic!! They are two very different locations!]

Some nice shops and cafe’s (Subway, McDonalds and KFC available for fast-foodies), locals are friendly. Can be hard to get a car park in the main streets sometimes, but its not too bad. I recommend eating at Henrietta’s (nice food, coffee AND it doubles up as a gift/homewares shop).

Patong Beach is a fascinating place. We saw the good, the bad and the ugly all within 8 days! I highly recommend staying at the Novotel Coralia Phuket — it overlooks the entire beach and it is also a recognised Tsunami Evacuation Route (meaning that if there’s any trouble, you’ll be safe at your hotel!). The beach does smell a bit of sewage (poor plumbing, methinks) and you DO see a lot of 40+ year old men toting around with their young girls/ladyboys, but the locals are really friendly and some of the taxi/tuktuk drivers have fascinating information on the history of the area. By all means visit this place, but I wouldn’t take kids (especially if you’re like us and spend many a night down Bangla Road..!).