тайки, слоны и кокосы thai, elephants and coconuts

So, my first trip to Tai. I had been planning to visit this country for a long time and then I had the opportunity to fly cheap.
I'll start with the flight: Transaero, without delay, flew at night, so it's quite possible to endure (it's harder to get back during the day).
At the Phuket airport, Thais immediately clung to and insistently shoved local SIM cards to everyone. I did not take it out of ignorance, but in vain. They turned out to be free. In any supermarket (7Eleven, for example) you can replenish the balance. Communication is cheap.
Tai met with great humidity and fine rain (which ran like a red thread through my entire vacation).
Part of the money was changed at the airport. Batt is approximately equal to our ruble.

So, the Thara Patong Beach Resort & Spa 3 * hotel: the agency was not deceived by advising me as one of the best in its category in Patong. Pleasant front desk staff, seated quickly. Our room was superior: spacious, in the bathroom we were struck by the presence of not only standard shampoo gels, but also a disposable toothbrush-paste and even a razor.
Territory: small, very cozy and green, all in blooming orchids. A swimming pool with a children's section and even a mini-slide (I regretted not taking my son with me, this hotel is quite suitable for children). Meals - breakfasts: a very large assortment of dishes ranging from scrambled eggs, noodles, pastries and ending with fruit.
Location: Very good in my opinion. To the sea - across the road, a lot of shops, cafes. Before bargaining. Central Festival center 10 minutes walk along the endless shops.
About shopping: I was not imbued with ANYTHING. The guide praised cotton . . well . . I don’t know . . on the beach I bought a sundress for 300 baht after a long auction, then I saw it in a regular store for 280. I also bought a wallet, but so . . trinkets for gifts.
Food: cheap by Moscow standards. A sea of ​ ​ fruits: coconuts, pineapples, lychees, rambutans . . I really liked pancakes stuffed with fruits (approx. 40 baht apiece), mini chicken kebabs, fish . . juices from the same pineapple coconuts . .
Excursions: I took an elephant safari (god, it was terrible) + monkeys (funny) + river rafting (beautiful). They paid the operator's guides 3 times more than they saw on the street in local travel agencies.
Massage: on average, 200 - 300 b. p. But to be honest, it didn't. At first they put it off, then they got burned... and I didn’t like their girls... they are unpleasant to me (by the way, officially in Thailand there is a ban on prostitution, but... yes, you yourself know . . )
Bottom line: in general, I liked everything, the hotel is super (special thanks to the Luxury travel agency and the manager Yulechka for detailed instructions), but . . the country is not mine . . once was enough, we will explore new directions!
p. s. If you have any questions - write, I will try to answer.