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Phuket is quite the popular travel destination in Southeast Asia. I remember visiting Phuket in the 80s when I was really young…while my memory might be fuzzy about that first trip to Phuket, I do distinctly remember the pristine vibes of this locale long before it became part of the tourist map. In the past few years, I’ve made several trips to Phuket with family and friends. Now, Phuket is far more developed and highly frequented by visitors than ever before. But it still has its charming beachy vibes and you can still get that authentic experience if you know where to go.

I’ve stayed in different parts of Phuket every time I have visited along the following beaches -- Patong, Kamala, Kathu, Kata, Bangtao, etc. In addition, I have stayed in AirBnBs, hotels, and hotel villas. It’s been a different experience every time and each setup has its pros and cons depending on who you're traveling with. Here are some of my recommendations of places to go in Phuket and where to eat (by no means exhaustive but just sharing what I have enjoyed).



Beaches:

I have generally found the stretch of beaches along the west coast of Phuket to be quite beautiful. Other than Patong Beach which is overexposed and overcrowded, I have enjoyed the following beaches: Kamala Beach, Bangtao Beach, Surin Beach, and Kata Beach. The east coast of Phuket is less developed in terms of properties. However, I have stayed there as well and it's quieter and more serene.

Most, if not all, of these beaches will have water activities such as banana boating, parasailing, etc. You can also light the night lanterns which can be released in the sky! Specifically, Bangtao beach offers pony and horseback riding along the beach for grown-ups and kids alike. 


Restaurants / Night Life: 

- Beach clubs: There are a few good ones, which have a chill daytime vibe and a clubby night time scene. Check out Cafe Del Mar, Carpe Diem, and Xana Beach Club to name a few. Patong night life is a bit seedy for my taste but it’s definitely rocking at night! 

-  Baan Rim Pa: This place is an institution! They offer authentic thai food (with a veg menu) and the views are stunning from the hilltop! 

- Tung Ka Café: Get ready for a short ride up a hilltop for authentic Thai food. Located on top of Rang Hill, I would suggest going here a bit before sunset to get a spectacular view of Phuket city. Since the restaurant is open air, be sure to take mozzie patches and repellent.

- Baba's Nest at Sri Panwa Resort: This is a rooftop bar in the Sri Panwa Resort located towards the southernmost part of Phuket. From the rooftop deck, you get a stunning view of Phuket peninsula and the Andaman sea as you enjoy cocktails. Just make sure to make reservations in advance!

-Torry's Ice Cream: Located in Old Phuket town, this ice cream parlor designed in the old Sino-Portugese fashion offers delicious local ice cream flavors. 

- Lucha Cantina: Loved their margaritas and their Mexican food was on point!

- Tambu Phuket: Rated as one of the top 50 best restaurants in Asia, this Mughal-inspired tasting menu set in a tent-like setting was a divine experience!

- Sizzle Rooftop Restaurant: Located in the same space as Tambu, Sizzle's menu is more meat-heavy for those interested. The vibe is also really amazing with great sunset views.


Shopping:

- Old Phuket Town is a historical part of Phuket noted for its Sino-Portugese shophouses lining the streets. The main roads within this neighbhorhood are Thalang Road (which has a small lane called Soi Romanee), Phang Nga, Krabi, Dibuk, and Yaowarat. Here you’ll find charming heritage shophouses of various candy colors selling souvenirs, clothes/apparel, and other trinkets. You’ll also find cute coffee shops and some hipster cafes. Definitely worth a visit to roam around and do something non-beach related. I recommend visiting the Sunday weekend market (called Lard Yai) which takes place on Thalang Road on Sundays from 4pm to 11pm. 

My 7-year old doing batik painting with my mom at the Sunday weekend market

Bulan store located on Thalang Road in Old Phuket Town

- I’m not a fan of visiting the generic malls when I travel abroad. But having said that, the Jung Ceylong Shopping Mall undoubtedly offers tons of options for restaurants, a supermarket (should you wish to buy some basic necessities), and local and chain stores. Sometimes that’s what you need when traveling with kids and looking to get some easy shopping done!


Kid activities / Things to do:

- Boat tours - You can do the the Phi Phi Island tour (8-9 hours long) in the form of a private or group tour. Personally, I have preferred booking our own private catamaran tour and dropping anchor somewhere near a small island and spending the afternoon chilling, swimming in the water, etc. It's really fun! Here's my private contact: Julian from Crown Line Asia +66822083670. 

- Patong Go-Kart Speedway is a fun activity to do for the adults and kids. There are many other vendors and locations you can check out.

- Hanuman World - fun ziplining experience with the kids

- ATV riding - Took my mom and kids for this experience and they loved it! My kids sat as passengers and so did my mom with the tour guide. We rode up to the top of a hill and even did a swing ride over the trees. Super exhilarating!

- Horseback riding: I have tried the one in the Laguna area called Phuket Riding Club. They have ponies for kids to ride and horses for the adults. You can choose to do a one hour-long horse riding along the beach or even longer. 

- Elephant sanctuary: There are several in Phuket but I encourage you to look into the ones that are ethical and offer proper care for rescued elephants. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary claims to be the only one to do so.

- Siam Niramit: I watched this Thai cultural performance years ago and I was pleasantly surprised. It is really well done and executed and even children can enjoy and follow. Just a note that it is located a bit out of the way so unless you're staying within 30 mins of this location, I wouldn't place this top on my list.


Hotel recommendations:

There are plenty of Airbnb properties we have stayed at in the past. While I can't recall their names, I can share the hotels and resorts from recent visits that are worth looking into:

- Resorts: Andara Villas (great for adults or large groups), Katathani Phuket Beach Resort (kid friendly resort along Kata beach), Thavorn Palm Beach Resort (very kid friendly but the hotel is 4-star and average in terms of hotel rooms), Como Hotel (great for girls trips), Banyan Tree Hotels (great for families), Dinso Resort, Marriott Hotels

I also recommend booking your own van driver for the duration of your stay! It's more convenient when you are moving around in groups. 



Ever been in a situation where you needed to buy a Singapore souvenir for visiting friends and family and you couldn’t think of what to get? Or you have expat friends who are moving out of Singapore and you want to gift them something meaningful to remember the Little Red Dot?

Don’t worry, I got you covered! Here’s a comprehensive list of local stores where you’re bound to find something suitable for your gifting needs!

Home/Lifestyle

  • Photophactory - One of my favorite go-to websites for finding gifting items! The brand offers purses and home decor pieces (such as tray sets and coasters) which capture the quintessential parts of Singapore, such as the batik print, Perenakan design, and the unmistakeable skyline.
  • I love This City - This online website offers curated paintings, sketches, and photography from different cities and brings their essence to your home. You can check out their page on Singapore and find unique and affordable artworks from recognizable neighborhoods around town (like the Joo Chiat shophouses, etc).
  • Cat Socrates - This charming boutique with locations in Joo Chiat and Tiong Bahru is full of cute and unique Singaporean gifting items - think coffee table books about Singapore, coasters and magnets with funny or irreverent Singlish terms, cards, puzzles, and trays/plates with a Singaporean design. A must visit!
  • Singapore Visitor Center - There are different locations around town and here you’ll find a combination of vintage items (Perenakan style teapots) and more modern gifting pieces (Merlion stuffies, local card games and books) designed for tourists.
  • National Gallery Gift Shop - Great for gifting coffee table books and other stationary type of knick-knacks that are local in flavor.
  • Independent Market - Quirky and fun, Independent Market has tons of curated Singaporean products and brands, including artwork by local artists, cushions and magnets featuring local dishes or Singlish terms, books, etc. 
  • Em + Co Art - Colorful and whimsical art, tea towels, and gifting cards that capture the tropical vibe of Singapore and the classic shophouses
  • The Creative Hut - This watercolor artist has converted some of her best pieces into gifting pieces, such as a fabric hardbound journal and linen sets, that capture Singapore’s lust tropical flora and fauna
One of the many books you'll find at Cat Socrates or at Independent Market

Women

  • Design Orchard - A retails space on Orchard Road which spotlights Singapore's local designers and homegrown brands - be it clothes, jewelry, scarves, or other trinkets, you will find some creative pieces here (note: the items here are on the expensive side)

Kids

  • Times Junior (at Jewel Changi) - With merchandise ranging from books, toys, stationery, gifts and accessories - including a dedicated selection of children’s books by Singapore authors
  • DrawnBy Jessica - These washable silicone mats with magic markers are a great gifting idea for the little ones. There is one specifically with the Singapore skyline which makes it an apt souvenir!
  • Indigrow Kids - Check out their cultural book called A to Z of Singapore. It’s perfect for toddlers and up


Food

  • Bengawan Solo - I love to gift Bengawan’s local treats and cookies (almond cookies, pineapple tarts, sugee cookies, etc) which come in beautifully decorated tin boxes. They last well too so you can easily pack and carry them in your suitcase to gift them to your friends and family on the other side
  • Irvin’s - This Singaporean snack brand is famously known for its addictive Salted Egg Fish Skin Chips. They’ve been a hit whenever I’ve taken then for colleagues and friends. You can easily find stores in the city as well as at the airport.
  • Kaya Jam - It is synonymous with the local breakfast and it's oh-so-good! This coconut-based jam is meant to be spread it on your toast and it's delish! You can find it anywhere but if you're looking for a nice packaging, check out Raffles Hotel Signature Kaya Jam.
  • Tanglin Gin & Brass Lion Gin - Both are local gin distilleries in Singapore that make good quality gin in different flavors. What’s more, they come packaged in beautiful bottles! Be sure to try Brass Lion’s Butterfly Pea Gin which changes color upon adding soda or tonic (it’s one of my faves).




Living outside of India, books have been a powerful medium for teaching my boys about Indian culture, festivals, and mythological stories. Over the years, I've accumulated quite a collection in our home library and while visiting the Crossword Bookstore in Mumbai recently, I discovered a few more!
Sharing names of books and publishers which have helped me in my journey over the years...

Language & cultural books:

  • Hindi by Reena - intro to Hindi for preschoolers
  • T4Tales - Bilingual (English and different Indian langaugess with beautiful illustrations for preschoolers up to age 5/6
  • Indigrow - A to Z of India and Colours of India books showcase the familiar, cultural and every day moments of Indian life
  • Tulika Books - publisher of children's books by South Asian authors, many of which are bilingual
  • Meet Buckley - English and transliterated Hindi book
  • Mango and Marigolds Press - independent publisher on stories of the South Asian experience, including those living abroad and growing up outside India
  • ShopYug - Offers books on various historical and notable figures in Indian history

Religious/mythology books:

Digital technology surrounds us and is part of our daily lives. Learning how to use it wisely is an essential skill for life and learning in these times. As parents, we sometimes don’t feel equipped to support our child’s journey and worry about their use of technology. Which controls should we put in place? How much screen time is too much? What kind of conversations should we have with them?

In this blogpost, I will share some of the learnings I’ve gained recently from my own research and at a recent workshop I attended on this topic.


Mindset Shift: Not all screen time is the same.

Most of us reading this are probably of the generation where our first ever home-owned computer, the Internet, and smartphones entered our lives when we were older. Since then, technology has evolved by leaps and bounds. We are finding ourselves raising children in a generation where technology is integrated into their daily lives from an extremely young age. It’s a bit scary being in this position because, as parents we’re still “figuring things out as we go”. On top of that, we mostly hear the negative effects of screen time, social media, and use of technology in the news.

First, we need to change our own thinking around screen time. Recognize that not all screen time consumption is the same. There are different types of screen time:
  • Passive: watching TV
  • Interactive: playing videogames, interactive educational apps, browsing the Internet or using social media
  • Communicative: communicating with the real world through your device, such as video-chatting
  • ​Content creation: using devices to make digital art or music
Each type of screen time consumption affects or uses a different part of our brain. Passive use and addiction to social media is known to have negative, anti-social effects on children. However, there is a positive impact on behavior, literacy, and cognitive ability when children are using educational interactive apps or digital tools to create content, coding, and connecting with family/friends using technology (remember how that was a god-send during Covid!).

All this is to highlight the following: How our children use technology is highly context dependent and not all screen time is bad! An hour of watching YouTube videos is not the same as an hour spent designing digital art. :)


Parenting Approaches

There are different approaches to parenting with regards to use of digital devices at home. Given the scope of this post, I will not delve too much into this and will instead share this link for further reference.

My own personal opinion is that it is impractical to eliminate or minimize use of technology in this day and age. It’s all about finding the right balance and following it in a consistent manner so that we don't send confusing signals to our children. Also, your child is watching you. If you’re on your phone during meal times, your child will think it’s acceptable behavior to watch a show on their iPad at the dining table. If you’re scrolling endlessly on Instagram or Facebook while talking to your child, you can expect that they will return the favor to you someday! So remember, role modeling is important and use technology the way you want your children to.


Good Practices / Tips

  • Rule of thumb to tell your child: Be safe, responsible, and respectful with online use and technology. Just as you would want your child to be safe, responsible, and respectful in the classroom or playground, the same rules apply to the digital world.
  • Agree on a set of ground rules for technology and online use. This includes asking for permissions to download apps and agreeing on how much screen time is appropriate, depending on the type of screen time (discussed above). Be prepared to revisit this topic again and again as your children grow and circumstances change.
  • According to sources, the average age that a child will be first exposed to pornography or adult content online is at 11 years of age. Sometimes this can occur simply by accident if a child is searching online for a particular term or phrase. Instead of waiting for it to happen when you least expect it, have a preemptive chat with your child. Remind them that if they see something inappropriate online, they should turn it off immediately and then inform you.
  • Encourage them to think before they post - what may feel like a harmless joke or funny photo could be something that they regret posting later or embarrassing or hurtful to someone.
  • Making good choices online can be challenging for people of all ages, and we all make mistakes. Be present for your child and keep an eye on their online activity. Together you can unearth cool learning discoveries or concerns which can be addressed early on.
  • Create regular screen-free times as a family (e.g., meal times or evenings where you play boardgames) to bond and connect without digital distractions.
  • If you are using your phone in front of your child, name it. That means, identify what you’re doing so that they know you’re not ghosting on them or losing interest when they’re talking to you. I often do this. For example, if we are talking about catching a movie together, I pull out my phone and say “I’m looking up movie timings so that we can plan our weekend ahead”.
  • Keep devices in plain sight. Create a “digital station” or “phone zone” for charging all devices and for identifying a common area for your kids to return their devices once done (before bedtime, etc).

Resources

Be informed
  • Common Sense Media is a great source for families providing reviews and recommendations around video games, TV shows, movies, and technology
Monitoring
  • Screen time function shows how much time you’ve spent on your iPhone or iPad and also enables setting of limits
  • Three finger swipe allows you to see other open windows and apps
Setting parental controls
Some great apps for “interactive” or “content creation” for kids
Helpful articles


I've visited Bali five times in the past few years and always discover something new on this beautiful island. If you've explored enough of the hipp-dippy, earthy vibes of Ubud (see post about it here), it's time to hit up the happening hipster neighborhoods of Canggu and Seminyak in Bali! This blogpost will provide my recommendations for these two different areas which are located relatively close to one another. Seminyak is a hotbed for amazing eateries and boutiques. Meanwhile, Canggu is an up-and-coming surfer beach town, north of Seminyak and south of Tanah Lot.

Things to do in Seminyak 

1. Potato Head Beach Club: Located by the beach (though the beach itself isn't anything to write home about), this beach club is the epitome of casual, laid back Seminyak vibes. The beach club has amazing food and is super kid-friendly during the day time. For a more grown-up vibe, visit in the evenings! 

2. Shopping: Go to Seminyak Square and begin your window-shopping or actual shopping experience there! If you’re looking for stores with home furnishings, check out Satunama, Kim Soo, Mercredi and Domicile (just to name a few). I found this article for homewares in Seminyak very helpful. For clothes, you will find many local or international brands that made their start in Bali (these boutiques are generally more expensive). Street shopping and haggling is also fun - I had bought a pair of cute sandals for $13 SGD.

3. Spa: I’ve only tried Sunderi Spa (twice) and it was lovely both times. Good service and massage treatments at a good price.

4. Restaurants:
  • Motel Mexicola: Mexican food done right! If you go for dinner, stay until 10pm and you’ll see the crowd go crazy dancing on the tables to the beat of the live band! 
  • Ginger Moon: Great for lunch or dinner with pan-Asian cuisine. It’s located near all the cool shops and boutiques in Seminyak so it makes for a great option for a meal after your shopping escapades! 
  • Mamasan: This is not a child friendly restaurant in terms of food and ambiance but more suitable for a date night spot. The pan-Asian cuisine here is novel and lip-smacking good. I particularly loved the creative cocktails here - we had ordered 4 different drinks at our table and loved all of them. 
  • Chandi: Lovely restaurant that features Indonesian-influenced cuisine. This place specializes in different types of satay so don't try to stray from that when you make your order. As a vegetarian, I was a bit unconvinced about how good tempeh and vegetable satays could be but Chandi proved me wrong. Seriously good stuff!  
Things to do in Canggu 

1. Finn’s Beach Club: The Beach Club is great for lounging all day, dipping in the pool, and having a relaxing time. We loved the food and service here. Super kid-friendly and a great way to spend a lazy day! In addition, I would recommend Finn's Recreation Club - there's a bowling alley, supervised kids club with activities, trampoline jumping, and a water park. Great fun for the kids! 

2. Surfing lessons: For adults or kids, you can take surfing lessons in Canggu and it's challenging yet fun! My 9-year old went for a spin and he really enjoyed it.

3. Shopping: 
  • Walk along Jalan Pantai Berawa and you'll see lots of homeware stores, such as Bungalow Living, Cove Island Essentials, One Love, etc. (Again, refer to this helpful link)
  • Tamora Gallery: This is a lifestyle shopping center featuring family-friendly cafes and activities, stores, and a kids' outdoor playarea. 
Playing in Tamora Gallery

4. Restaurants (all vegetarian friendly): 
  • La Baracca: There are more than one location but either day, the pizza here is great! The restaurant had a rustic vibe but the food is oh-so-good!

  • Milk & Madu: Think chilled out café with pizza, pasta, avo toast, and breakfast bowls. What I loved most about this café is the play corner meant just for kids. There’s a big treehouse and a slide along with coloring activities to keep the little ones happily engaged.

  • Zin Cafe: Absolutely love the breakfast options here, including the eggs and the breakfast bowl
  • Yema Kitchen: Mediterranean cuisine with delicious food
  • Nu Delhi: For days when you want Indian food to hit the spot
  • Panama Kitchen & Pool: Restaurant with a family pool in a cute charming setting (1 min walk from Finn's Beach Club)
  • Other restaurants and coffee shops to visit in Canggu: Cafe Organic, Hungry Bird, Revolver, La Laguna (go only in the evening for the live band), Monsieur Spoon (this French bakery unexpectedly opens onto a rice paddy field!), and Seasalt in the Alila Hotel (amazing beach views over drinks).
5. Tanah Lot Temple: Amongst the more famous temples in Bali, Tanah Lot is a rock formation which is also home to an ancient Hindu temple. If you're in the Seminyak or Canggu area, you are not that far from the temple so it's well worth a visit!

Enjoying coconut water just outside Tanah Lot temple
Tanah Lot - you can see the rock formation over the water with the temple on top

Other Areas in Bali

Nusa Dua is the beach destination of Bali. This is where you are likely to find the better beach spots and get some sun & sand. If you want to do snorkeling, it's worth considering a trip to the nearby island of Nusa Penida. A speedboat takes you on a 45-60 min ride (sometimes bumpy) to the island where there are clear waters fore excellent snorkeling. We have done this with the kids and it's doable (though a bit of a trek). It does make for a full-day plan. We worked with Forever Vacation for planning our Nusa Penida visit. 

Overlooking the cliffs on Nusa Penida

Jimbaran is another area in the south of Bali. There is not much to do in this area itself other than visit Ayana Resort which boasts the famous Rock Bar. Essentially a bar carved into the side of a rocky hill, this spot is really a great place to enjoy sea views and fancy drinks in a unique setting (I really have to give it to Bali for having figured out how to create amazing experiences in restaurant settings!). When I had visited Rock Bar, I happened to take my kids with me as they are allowed to enter the restaurant/bar.

I hope you guys found this Bali guide helpful. This guide is by no means exhaustive but it's a good start! Do let me know what you discover from your travels there.