If you’re headed for Phuket and are looking for somewhere cool to stay over the festive season – make sure you drop in to a flashpackers called Bodega in Patong. It is (so far) the coolest budget accomodation I have found in the world. Not that I’ve been to every place on the planet – but I have stayed at my fair share of flash packin backpackers!
What makes Bodega so cool is the infusion of the international travellers with the local Thai community. And when I say travellers and Thai community – I don’t mean old Austrian dudes and Thai bar girls!
I’m talking eclectic children of the earth whose souls are free flowing and infused with penetrating perceptive expression, whose synergy is conscious of their respective individuality, their collective influence and their contribution in keeping the world real.
Bodega Phuket bar and gallery
I am of the opinion that there are only a few elements on earth that can bring people from such diverse culture, creed, age and gender to a place where there is effortless collaboration between each individual, harmonising and enhancing the experience for the other. Music and art above others involve infinite expression and creation from deep with in your soul.
As mentioned before, Bodega is a flashpacker – which is basically one evolutionary step up from a backpackers. Gone are the days where sharing a dingy dorm with 11 other people was your only option for budget accomodation. These days – having your own zen’d up double room with clean crisp bed linen is far more convenient with regards to privacy and price.
What was not mentioned before is that Bodega is a flashpacker – with a bar/art gallery.
The actual accomodation portion of the Bodega business is across the road from where the real magic happens and will soon finish being renovated into the zen’d up white rooms I was talking about a moment ago. The prices are decent – ranging from 1600BAHT per night over the December High season down to 1400BAHT per night between January and May and even further down to 800BAHT a night in low season which falls between May and October.
All entertainment is provided by Thai locals
Owner Robin Donovan bought an already established ‘love hotel’ in March this year and has since made it his own by creating the fusion between the local Thai music and art scene and the international market. In conversation with Robin, he explained how his travelling guests keep him young at heart and how he has given special effort to creating the laid back coastal vibe one would find in destinations such as Cape Town – where he ran Cape Town Backpackers in South Africa.
A few Bodega regulars
The bar hosts open mic nights, reggae nights – featuring Jason Jen from the Nai Harn reggae scene, a few Thai rock acts on Sundays and hopefully in the not too distant future – jazz nights. Then there are the other themed parties happening frequently – masks and crazy sunglasses are just two that were brought up as examples. Also on the cards for the not too distant future is the opening of the Hip Hop floor upstairs – apparently that party is going down within the next two weeks or so and Bodega is holding thumbs for Phuket Town’s Southside Boys to open up their boudoir themed dance floor. New Years eve also promises a night to remember with a cross dressing party on the cards.
Ha ha – You Farang ladyboy?
To find out more about Bodega Phuket, visit their website at http://www.bodegaphuket.com/
or join their facebook page – Bodega Man
Silly buggars with the range of odd sunnies they have stocked up for theme parties.
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Nicky Vermeulen