Our participation in the Thailand Yacht Show 2020 was hands down one of the best experiences of all our travels combined to date. Salman and I love the vibe that Phuket has and it also happens to be one of the best beach destinations in the world. Add the Thailand Yacht Show 2020 under its belt and this one mega-event truly sets the island apart which also saw a massive surge of travelers this year flocking in from different parts of the world to soak in the sun, sea, sand and sailing. Salman and I were truly lucky and blessed to be a part of this special event, considering how much we both love sailing (secretly even dream of owning a yacht someday) and I honestly do not know of a bigger WATER BABY than Mr. Dark angel himself!!!
The World-Class Thailand Yacht Show 2020 was back to the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina with it’s grander than ever, larger than life 5th edition that took place in the start of January this year. Royal Phuket Marina remains a key player when it comes to strengthening the tourism of the country since the participation in this one of a kind Yacht Show saw sailing lovers from key European countries along with many others from South East Asia. Since it’s inception it has seen all the superyacht owners and charterers from all over the globe return to their mecca of ultimate sailing experience. With over 60 yachts and boats on display and more than 100 brands on-board this year, The Thailand Yacht Show 2020 has become one jaw-dropping blockbuster global boat show event in the entire Asia-Pacific region.
Phuket today is considered as the marine playground of Asia that welcomes jet-setters from all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty of this paradise island and this was all possible with the vision and a passion project driven by one man – Mr. Gulu Lalvani. It was his dream to put Royal Phuket Marina on the world map and he took to his heart to show everyone else why he fell in love with the island in the first place by introducing this exciting event and by building a top-class Marina that is the most Premier Yachting and Holiday Destination as of today!
Here are some of the BEST highlights from our trip that will also give you an idea of what to expect when you visit the next edition of “The Thailand Yacht Show” :
Direct flight to Phuket With Go-Air – The journey matters so much to the two of us when we travel and that’s exactly why the Non-Stop direct flight from Mumbai-Phuket and back got us all excited! You can now reach Phuket from Mumbai in just 4.5 hours!!!! It’s so convenient, hassle-free and quick, plus their arrival and departures are always on-point.
With these direct non-stop flights the horror of having to change the flights and spend extra hours traveling effectively come to an end. Yayyyyiee!!! We particularly loved the special “Indian meals” designed that cater to Jains as well and the airfares are so affordable too. But the cherry on the cake was their Go-Business super spacious seats that truly take it up a notch. A massive thank you to the Go-Air crew for being so hands-on and for taking such good care of us on both the flights!
P.S. – Go-Air also has direct flights to Phuket from Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru
Staying At The Royal Phuket Marina – We stayed at their luxurious 3BHK Condo which was equipped with all the latest amenities one can dream of right from a refrigerator, oven, washing machine and a dryer, flat-screen tv, wifi, centralized ac, master bedroom, 2 bedrooms, swimming pool for the members and a grand living room. Our master bedroom had a spacious bathroom, 2 washbasins, and a walk-in closet too.
Apart from this, they also have numerous other 2BHK, 3BHK, 4BHK apartments and penthouses that are easily available on rent or for outright sale. They also have an option of 100% freehold property available for foreign buyers. Also, the majority of these staying facilities come with the stunning Marina view as these are located right around the Royal Phuket Marina.
Meeting The Main Man, Mr. Gulu Lalvani – Say hello to the main man himself, Mr. Gulu Lalvani, the Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina and the brain behind putting this Marina on the global map. After sailing over all the leading marine destinations, Mr. Lalvani found Phuket to be an ideal destination for world-class sailing. It was due to his joint effort with the Thai Government back in 2002 that this yachting mecca announced 0% duty on yachts as opposed to the huge 200% duty that imported supercars still have to pay to date.
This further ensured yachting at the Royal Phuket Marina the best and the most economical cruising ground in the world. We were lucky to catch up with the charismatic Gulu Lalvani at his home where he humbly invited us over some of the most scrumptious Thai meals and later took us around the unexplored islands in his own private yacht “Darling”- which is one of his most prized possession parked at the marina, right next to his villa.
Witness The Most Luxurious Yachts From All Over The World – This is home to the Thailand Yacht Show at Royal Phuket Marina which is the only 5-star Golden Anchor award-winning marina in Thailand. This also ranks among one of Asia’s most sophisticated and high-tech yachting infrastructure and the island’s leading boating hub.
This World Class Premium destination saw around 50 state-of-the-art yachts and boats from some of the leading global brands which also saw 12+ Asian and Global premieres. As we got a tour of the marina, we came across stately catamarans to speedy day-trippers, classic sailing vessels, luxurious motor-yachts, and so many more options!! They catered to small families with boats that suited their budget and at the same time, the luxurious yachts spanned all the way up to 35m that were parked at the Marina where you could step inside as well while being a part of this exhibit as a sailing lover.
High-End Luxury And Lifestyle Events – I absolutely love how the Thailand Yacht Show 2020 Is a culmination of all things luxury, fashion, lifestyle, and art all under one roof where 100+ brands had participated. As I walked through their special exhibit, I also got an opportunity to interact with so many products and sailing equipment manufacturers who were all beyond ecstatic to be a part of the leading consumer boat show in Phuket.
Be it fashionable boutiques selling the trendiest swimwear to a paintings display, Phuket’s upcoming construction hotspots and more will greet you at this event. Apart from fun activities by the Marina for the kids, there were also so many sundowner parties for you to choose from. Add to this their live music, cool breezy Marina evenings, live food counters that cater to a global cuisine and sailing fans from all over the world. Visitors and participants from South East Asia as well as from key European countries are what makes The Royal Phuket Marina a key player in the Tourism of the country. P.S. – India ranks at no.3 in the most visited tourists survey to Phuket.
Sail Away into Neighboring Islands – In Phuket there are so many islands waiting to be explored!! We took off in Mr. Gulu Lalvani’s personal yacht “Darling” to explore Phuket’s raw beauty away from all the hustle-bustle. It comes as no surprise why Royal Phuket Marina has clearly become one of the most spectacular and world-class hub for all yachting lovers.
Two islands you must add to your Phuket sailing itinerary is Naka Island for some epic seafood lunch and also on the way back, make sure to halt at the famous “James Bond Island” in Phang Nga Bay for some best scenic pictures. The location became an instant hit after the 1974 Bond movie – “The Man With The Golden Gun” with Roger Moore and Christopher Lee (who played the role of ‘Count Dracula’ and ‘Saruman’ in Lord Of The Rings) was shot at this very place.
It was during this trip I realized how Phuket is blessed with some of the cleanest, dreamiest, and untouched islands situated over the Andaman Sea.
Dining At The Speakeasy Yacht Club – Inspired by the 20’s and the 30’s jazz era, this Club is an all-day and night dining restaurant which is right on the boardwalk of the Royal Phuket Marina. You’ll be floored by their international cuisine along with their eclectic mix of drinks and not to forget their lavish breakfast menu which will spoil you for choice. Plus, while staying in one of the apartments or condominiums on the Marina itself, The Speakeasy Yacht Club will be just 1-2 minutes away by walking.
Here are some of our personally tried and tested recommendations that were also re-ordered by the way – Eggs + avocado burrito, fresh coconut water, fresh mango yogurt smoothie, fresh seawater oysters, banana roti which is a Thai version of stuffed pancakes. This place is indeed every foodie’s heaven!!!
A Day’s Trip To The Banana Beach – Our trip to Phuket would have been incomplete without a day’s trip to the famous “Banana Beach” which is on the North-Eastern tip of Koh Hey (Coral Island). From the Chalong Bay, it is a quick 15 minutes ride in their speed boats. This island is so pristine surrounded by white sands, turquoise green waters, and lush green trees. What’s really unique about this island is its vast marine life as it has so many exotic kinds of sea animals that are waiting eagerly to greet you when you go snorkeling.
On our way back, we made a quick pit-stop at the Banana Beach Phuket Restaurant to try their fresh coconut and chestnut ice-cream served inside a real coconut (minus the water) instead of a bowl. The fresh coconut adds such a unique flavor to the ice-cream that we tried re-creating this at home as well. This is how sea in a coconut must feel like!!!! Aah so refreshing!
This restaurant also serves the best seafood on the island (we sat right next to the beach, imagine lunching here with the waves crashing by right next to you) and out of the many dishes that we tried, the spicy blue crab curry and the beef stir-fried with sticky rice were my clear favorites!
Hello From The Jungle World At The Three Monkeys Restaurant – Welcome to the jungle life in Phuket!! While you join in the celebrations at the Thailand Yacht Show 2020, make sure to take some time out to explore Phuket’s must-see attractions. The Three Monkeys Restaurant is definitely not to be missed out on. Firstly, it’s set in a jungle between Phuket town and Chalong and the entire place is submerged in greenery.
This is also a part of the popular Hanuman World Zipline attraction that will keep you and your family entertained after your scrumptious meal. We’ve feasted on some of the best and authentic Thai dishes here, seafood being a clear winner along with their highly recommended Fresh Coconut Milkshake. This restaurant is super spacious, has outdoor seating too, and is built on several levels on the side of a hill overlooking the famous Chalong area. Look at their photo-ops areas that are themed around nature and greenery! S. – If you google the best authentic places to eat in Phuket, this restaurant will pop up as one of the TOP 3 most recommended places.
Exploring Phuket Old Town And Market – Out of the many shopping destinations in Phuket, what came highly recommended was their old market which is well known for street shopping.
Their signature colorful streets are lined with so many small and big shops that are true hidden gems that sell handmade jewelry, antiques, handicrafts, and more. We also spotted so many Thai and modern clothes stores and traditional sweets vendors that also sell mango and sticky rice. The famous “Phuket Walking Street” is also in old town Phuket on the main Thalang Road which is a long stretch of a packed street that has some of the best local shops to bring back home Thai souvenirs. They also have many toy stalls to keep your little angels happy.
I hope you guys enjoyed our guide to making the most of The Thailand Yacht Show in Phuket and we so cannot wait to re-live these experiences yet again in 2021! Until next time loves….
