#and the whole conditional love thing very Asian coded yes

[nelistry]

dude I always thought baxter ward was wasian… why am i just now learning he’s a through and through white boy

[pass-the-bechdel]

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend season three full review

How many episodes pass the Bechdel test?

100% (thirteen of thirteen).

What is the average percentage per episode of female characters with names and lines?

41.16%

How many episodes have a cast that is at least 40% female?

Seven, so just over half. Three of those are 50%+.

How many episodes have a cast that is less than 20% female?

Zero.

How many female characters (with names and lines) are there?

Twenty-four. Thirteen who appeared in more than one episode, five who appeared in at least half the episodes, and two who appeared in every episode.

How many male characters (with names and lines) are there?

Thirty-nine. Eighteen who appeared in more than one episode, seven who appeared in at least half the episodes, and one who appeared in every episode.

Positive Content Status:

Not nearly as good as you might expect or hope. As with previous seasons, the show’s most impressive content is not the feminist stuff at all, and on the feminist front it feels sometimes as if the show spends more time denouncing different aspects of the feminist movement as ‘the wrong kind of feminism’ than it does declaring and upholding the aspects it does approve. I tend to feel that it spends time talking the talk on women’s issues, but doesn’t often get up to walk the walk (average rating of 3).

General Season Quality:

Easily better than the previous two seasons, despite a deflated ending. It takes a much more focused approach to its storytelling in the beginning of the season, in a manner which briskly becomes refreshingly confronting and leads in to a powerful middle. Unfortunately, it never sustains quality for very long, and overall the show still suffers for being too easily distracted. It’s not infuriating, but it can be frustrating.

MORE INFO (and potential spoilers) under the cut:

Ok, let me explain something about myself first, something I’ve mentioned in other (non-Crazy Ex) posts which have gone live long before this one will, but for anyone who missed it in any of those other places, here it is: I am, right now, pregnant. In fact, I am pregnant with a child conceived non-traditionally with a gay friend of mine, and as such, Darryl’s non-traditional quest for biological parenthood in this season struck a very personal chord (though, unlike Darryl, I used the phone-a-friend option as my first choice, not a fallback. Would recommend, if it’s ever relevant to your life). I bring all of this up because I can categorically declare that there are certain plot threads that you absolutely will NOT have the same reaction to if you don’t have that very personal chord being struck, and even moreso if that chord is relevant to your life right now, rather than being something that you’ve experienced in the past but has since slipped from the forefront of your attention. Thus, when I talked about feeling like the emphasis was in all the wrong places for Darryl’s part of the narrative, and expressed irritation with Heather’s pregnancy and birth? I sure ain’t mad about it for no reason. I am extremely, extremely aware of what those processes are actually like right the heck now.

I’m not going to linger on all the details, but I am particularly annoyed at the writers for dropping the ball on the pregnancy/birth part, specifically because it’s something which is so often badly dramatised in tv and film already, and the writers not only know that, they openly reference it as if they’re somehow doing better. The same way that medical professionals sometimes find it too frustrating to watch hospital dramas because of all their inaccuracies, or someone in law enforcement might cringe their way through all the egregious breaches in procedure in a cop show, there’s always a significant risk that anything depicted in fiction will make you want to tear your hair out over the way the plot warps or disregards reality that is pertinent to your life, either through a lack of proper research or understanding of the subject matter, or a conscious choice to prioritise desired storytelling beats/developments over actual logic and realism. Suffice to say there are a LOT of concessions Crazy Ex-Girlfriend asked me to make to their storytelling with this little subplot, some of which most people who have never been pregnant wouldn’t notice, and yes, some of which I would probably dismiss if I were not in the midst of the reality right now. I’m someone who has been present at actual births before and has been raised with an above-average understanding of what’s involved, so I’m used to gritting my teeth and hoping to just not be too annoyed by the way pregnancy and birth is typically depicted on screen. The fact that I am currently immersed in the reality of preparing to give birth makes me less forgiving of fictional contrivances, yes, but in the case of this show’s approach, it’s also more than that: it’s the fact that this show actively promotes itself as a feminist text. And if you’re gonna do that, and criticise the way other things (”written by men!”) depict labour, but then you also choose not to include any education/empowerment of your pregnant character, rattle off a variety of (uneducated, disempowered) cliches anyway, and then handwave it all with ‘nevermind, she just got an epidural!’ as if that ‘solves’ the difficulties of birth (and post-birth recovery, for that matter), frankly that’s just...a really unimpressive failure of feminist storytelling. Congratulations, you neglected the subject completely, at the same time as actively claiming your intent to do better than all that written-by-men schlock out there! What a tiresome charade this turned out to be.

Setting that aside though (difficult for me, as I am...very preoccupied with it), there was actually a good lot of things to like about this season, even if I do still feel that I ultimately have more criticisms than I do praise. Having Rebecca actually reach crisis point in the form of a suicide attempt, and consequently getting a diagnosis for her mental disorder and finally being able to move forward in learning to live a balanced life with BPD? Frankly, it’s not a move that I anticipated, and if you’d asked me where I thought Rebecca’s mental health plot was heading, I probably would have just shrugged it off as an unfocused thread where the ultimate goal was just ‘figure out how to be happy on your own terms instead of defining happiness through someone else’ (which is solid advice, but generalised advice, not something that would require the show to commit to a genuine mental illness). Acknowledging that Rebecca’s behaviour comes from a more distinct source than just the nebulous idea of being ‘crazy’ is a vitally important development, and it ushered in some of the best storytelling the show has offered thus far, at least when the plot maintained steady focus and made an effort to be responsible and mature in its exploration of the issue. As ever, there were still times when the show used Rebecca’s mental state for comic relief in a manner which made me uncomfortable, and times when I couldn’t interpret the intentions of the narrative - I have come to the conclusion that this show and I are on completely different wavelengths, which makes us a bad match, regardless of any elements which I do appreciate. 

On the subject of things I appreciate, I’m going to discuss the true character highlight of the show, someone I wanted to talk about after last season, not realising that if I held off until this review instead, he was gonna wind up so terribly underused in the meantime that it’s almost weird that he’s still technically part of the main cast at this point: Josh Chan. Josh Chan is...kinda the most believable part of this show, both in the bumbling good-natured balance of the character himself, and in other character’s feelings about him. Being able to buy the idea that someone would give up their whole life as they knew it to chase after this guy is kinda important to selling the concept of the show from the outset, and honestly, Josh Chan is the only time I’ve ever seen a central male love interest for whom the hype seemed to make sense. Is he perfect? Not by a long shot, but that’s fine because ‘perfection’ is as conditional as it is unattainable. The problem with male love interests, often, is that they’re written by heterosexual men who treat the character as some kind of masculine wish-fulfillment, a combination of ‘guy I wish I could be’ and ‘guy I think women should want (me)’. Josh Chan is a great example of a love interest written by women for women: he displays positive masculine-coded traits (protective, physically capable), while rejecting negative, toxic-masculine elements (aggression, possessiveness), and he embraces key ‘feminine’ traits (non-threatening, kind, soft, emotionally expressive, family-oriented), while his flaws are unobtrusive and potentially even endearing (the main one is that he’s quite stupid, which is something a lot of straight women will happily admit to liking (at least in theory), and other traits such as Josh’s childish streak can be a source of joy under some circumstances, as well as being something Josh mostly keeps a hold on so that it doesn’t become a burden to his partners). Also, it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention how refreshing and meaningful it is to have an Asian male love interest. I really enjoy not being bored to death by Josh Chan, and I am annoyed at how little of him we got this season while we wasted time with that generic slice of white bread, Nathaniel. Bring back the Chan plots, season four. Do it for me.

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/things-to-do-in-phuket-thailand/

20 Amazing Things To Do In Phuket, Thailand - The 2019 Video Guide

Looking for things to do in Phuket? This video guide will put you in the picture.

Smiled at the Thought of Visiting Phuket in The Land of Smiles? ​You ought to. Phuket in Thailand is so beautiful that you cannot help but smile. Here we share 20 things to do in Phuket.

Phuket, one of the provinces in the southern part of Thailand, is an archipelago that consists of the country’s largest island, Phuket, along with 32 smaller islands off coast.

The province of Phuket is a little less than Singapore in terms of size, with an area of 576 square kilometers. It is the second largest province in the entire country, and is situated in one of the major trading and business routes between China and India.

There are 30 stunning beaches within the area, so Phuket is the dream summer travel destination for people who love tropical climate and warm vacations. Aside from sun, sand, and lots of water, the central town is packed with nightclubs, bars, and discos. This province is also one of the most open when it comes to gender diversity, so men, women, and gay folks can enjoy their time in Phuket without discrimination based on their sexual preferences.

Where is Phuket?

Phuket is located off coast on the western part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. It is attached by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga Province in the north. The nearest province to Phuket is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay.

What's the Weather and Climate like in Phuket?

Like most countries in Asia, the climate in Phuket is characterized by tropical monsoons. Because Thailand is near the equator, there is not much difference in the variation of its temperatures the whole year long. Phuket only has 2 seasons: the dry season that goes from December through March, and the wet season that covers the remaining months.

How Do You Say 'Phuket'?​

Phuket only has two syllables, but it is relentlessly mispronounced by tourists. The way most people say it sounds like a phrase you shouldn’t say in front of children. Yes, like “Fuket” or “Fukc it”. It does sound like a profanity, which—I think—makes perfect sense, since in the English language, the letters "p" and "h" next to each other make an "f" sound. Thais, though, say words beginning with “Ph” with a stressed “P” sound, so Phuket is actually pronounced “Poo-ket” or “Poo-get”.

Pronounce Phuket correctly video

Breathtaking Things to See and Do in Phuket, Thailand

1. Phang Nga Bay​

One of the features that made Phang Nga Bay a cut above the rest of its kind are the fascinating limestone karts that protrude vertically out of the clear, emerald-green waters. Its waters remain calm all year long, since the bay is protected from monsoons, which also adds another layer of appeal to its impressive backdrop and  abundant  wildlife.

Two of the more popular spots in the Pha Nga Bay are James Bond Island and Koh Panyee. The best way to enjoy the bay and its spectacular landscape, with minimal encounters with the other tourists and the crowd, is by taking one of the relaxing boat trips that start from the Northern end of Phuket.

A regular day trip cruising would take you through the striking limestone islands, seldom stopping to appreciate the quiet and serene beaches. This cruise is by far more rewarding than the usual standard bus-boat tours.

Bucket List Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand

2. Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi Island is one of the many reasons why Phuket is a coveted tourist destination. It has starred in a handful of movies and is usually the talk of the town among Thailand travelers. It is hyped, yes, but it does not disappoint and lives up to the excitement attached to it.

Phi Phi’s magnificence is what mostly drives the allure. From a boat, the islands seem to rise from the waters like an ancient fortress. Rocky cliffs loom overhead, and then give way to a jungle with a mesmerizing waterfront.

The islands seem to rise from the waters like an ancient fortress. Rocky cliffs loom overhead, and then give way to a jungle with a mesmerizing waterfront.

Another inviting factor of this island is its laid-back vibe. You don’t need to rush or hurry when visiting Phi Phi Island, since there wouldn’t be a crowd to bustling tourists there.

Iconic Things to See in Phuket, Thailand

3. Visit The Big Buddha

The Big Buddha is an iconic representation of the orange-robed monks that distinguishes Thailand from other Asian countries. This iconic attraction in Phuket is one of the most significant and respected landmarks in the whole of Thailand. The enormous figure sits atop the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata.

Since the Big Buddha is at 45 meters tall, it can be clearly seen from spots as far flung as Karon Beach and Phuket Town. The highest site provides an exhilarating 360-degree vista of the island, with full views of Kata, Chalong Bay, Phuket Town, Karon, and more.

This tourist spot is also a religious site, so some locals and even tourists might find it disrespectful to wear beach clothes, shorts skirts, and tank tops in the area. If you think you have dressed a little too daringly, you could ask for a sarong as a cover-up.

Reaching the Big Buddha is easy, via a winding 6-kilometer route leading from Phuket’s main road.

More On The Big Bhudda

Fun Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand

4. Shopping at Night Markets

The province of Phuket also has a pulsating night clubs and bars for the party people, but its streets are also alive with bustling markets and small kiosks, where you could get great deals and bargains for a bunch of souvenirs and keepsakes.

These markets are also open during the day, but why stroll under the scorching heat of the sun and waste a perfectly good beach day? You can wander at night and enjoy the gentle Thai breeze while scouring through affordable items.

Phuket Night Markets also hold special festivals with entertaining street performers and good food. Food stalls also abound even at night, so this is the perfect time  to grab some  grub and experience authentic Thai street food while shopping in cool comfort.

Exciting Things to See and Do in Phuket, Thailand

5. Island Hopping

The province of Phuket consists of 33 islands in total: the large island Phuket plus 32 smaller islands scattered around it. From tiny lumps of rocks that protrude from the waters to large pieces of land jutting up from the waters of the Andaman Sea, Phuket has them all.

These islands bring a sense of relaxation, tranquility, freedom, and exoticism, and those are what made this archipelago so alluring.

Unfortunately, the main island Phuket has lost some of its idyllic atmosphere due to industrialization and the demand to upgrade to further promote tourism. Nevertheless, a number of smaller islands around it still offer a secluded sanctuary for those who want to escape their stresses.

Best Things to See with Kids in Phuket, Thailand

6. Phuket Fantasea Show

If you are tagging kids along, this is one of the Phuket attractions that they will truly enjoy. The structures in this attraction are rather quirky, with entertainers in over-the-top colorful costumes, and elephants walking around. Phuket Fantasea has been built to impress while embodying the principal essences of Thai culture, so much so that it deems itself as “The Ultimate Cultural Theme Park.”

The main lure of Fantasea is the stage show, but there are also other rides and offerings that also adds to the overall appeal of this attraction. There is a village with an array of shopping options, carnival games, elephant rides, and food stalls and restaurants. In Phuket FantaSea Show, everything is bright, elaborate, and absolutely impressive.

They also offer superb customer service; the management of the show ensures that you are transported in comfort, fed well, and generally happier and more entertained when you leave the place. They have plenty of staff around to assist you with your concerns and help you head in the right direction.

Cultural Things to See and Do in Phuket, Thailand

7. Wat Chalong and Phuket Temples

Buddhist temples or Wats are one of the significant Thai symbols because majority of the population are Buddhists. Also, these temples are so enchanting in their own right. In Phuket province alone, there are almost 30 Buddhist temples around the islands. Wat Chalong has been one of the oldest temples and up until now, it is still extending its warm welcome to visitors and tourists.

Thai locals visit the temples to pray, while Westerners come to learn more about their religion. These temples are open from 7 am to 5 pm daily.

Things To Do In Phuket At Night

8. Old Phuket Town

The old Phuket Town is an attraction that’s a bit far from the usual tropical favorites. What makes this are so inviting is its history that is still very much evident in its structures and establishments. In this area, you will see Chinese and Buddhist temples, shrines, rich and ornately preserved shop houses, charming cafes, small printing shops, and museums. The old Phuket Town was built on resources garnered from the province’s tin boom during the last century.

You would also see extravagant Sino-colonial mansions once owned by tin barons around a hundred years prior. This town is small enough to be explored on foot and it is best to stroll around early in the morning or a few hours before dusk.

Free Things to See and Do in Phuket, Thailand

9. Similan Island

Similan Islands may not have the attractive limestone of Pha Nga Bay, but it has verdant and dense forests that nature and hiking enthusiasts would swoon over. Gum trees and Ironwood trees abound in the area, but there are also rattan, bamboo, and jackfruit trees that serve as habitat to the variety of wildlife that thrive in the area. Similan Island is home to a plethora of crab-eating monkeys, bats, squirrels, lizards, and several species of birds.

Another eye-catching feature of this island is the boulders that seem to stack on top of each other.

Nevertheless, the best sights that this island offers can be found underneath the waves. Similan Island is also a popular dive spot and it boasts of spectacular coral growth and colorful marine life.

Best Things to See and Do with Kids in Phuket, Thailand

10. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Elephants are revered animals in Thailand, so much so that these docile creatures are also an icon that identifies the country. Unfortunately, though, a lot of elephants are maltreated for the sake of entertainment.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is not like other animal parks that exploit and even hurt the animals to coerce them to perform. More than an attraction, it serves as a retirement home for elephants that were rescued from abusive and cruel animal show managers.

Tours conducted here are not mainly for entertainment, but to raise funds for the food, care, and medicines of a handful of elephants in the institution. This is not a petting zoo and you are not allowed to ride elephants, but you could walk with them, feed them, and watch them in their natural environment

Gastronomic Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand

11. Try the Pad Thai Shop

Thailand’s National food, Pad Thai, isn’t actually that complicated nor complex to make, but its taste has been so distinct that it is rather easy to tell a good Pad Thai from a “I’ll pass on that” Pad Thai. When a restaurant is well-known for a specific dish, you can be sure that their prized dish would be one  of the best you would  taste in your lifetime.

The Pad Thai Shop has mastered the beautiful art of preparing excellent Pad Thai and the serve over a hundred servings a day. You love Pad Thai? You’d be surprised to know that you could fall deeper in love with it when served here.

When a restaurant is well-known for a specific dish, you can be sure that their prized dish would be one of the best you would taste in your lifetime. The Pad Thai Shop has mastered the beautiful art of preparing excellent Pad Thai and the serve over a hundred servings a day. You love Pad Thai? You’d be surprised to know that you could fall deeper in love with it when served here.

Educational Things to See and Do in Phuket, Thailand

12. Phuket Aquarium

Phuket Aquarium offers guests and tourists an opportunity to see both the wonderful as well as the weird creatures that live in Thailand’s rivers, lakes, and seas, and learn a lot about their life systems too.

You will also get the chance to see and experience a simulation of their natural habitats, namely mountains, mangroves, streams, coral reefs, and the deep ocean in general. Phuket Aquarium is not that big, but it makes up  for its area size with vibrant aquatic displays and interactive exhibits.

Historical Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand

13. Phuket Mining Museum

Located in Kathu, between British International School and Loch Palm Club, is Phuket Mining Museum. It is one of Phuket’s  most interesting museums, since it displays tin mine models and recreated opium den scene, among many others.

The museum opened in August 2009 as an informative historical and cultural attraction. The structure of the building was Sino-Portuguese inspired, like many of the mansions and other structures all around the province. Most of the mansions were owned by Chinese families in the Old Phuket Town district.

Entrance to the museum used to be free to locals and tourists alike, but now there is a fixed fee: For local Thais, it is about 50 baht for adults and 20 per child; for foreigners, though, a ticket costs 100 baht per adult and 50 per child.

Luxurious Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand

14. Blue Elephant

Blue Elephant has long established itself as an authority in authentic Thai cuisine. If you are in Phuket, give them a try and you will understand why. The restaurant location is a posh and huge mansion, where they serve beautifully dishes that match the grandiose of the building.

Its wooden interior with traditional Thai decorations adds another layer of Thai culture to the experience.  Blue Elephant has courteous and English-speaking staff to assist you and make your dining experience even more enjoyable.

Fun Things to Do with Kids in Phuket

15. Phuket Trickeye Museum

If you are bringing kids along your trip to Phuket, you can bring them to Phuket Trickeye Museum for a couple of hours of fun. From the name of this attraction, “Trickeye”, their concept is presenting giant 3D paintings that look like optical illusions, for photo sessions. It is similar to the #D museums in Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. Phuket Trickeye Museum isn’t affiliated to any of those three museums, though.

The museum building in Phuket used to be the popularly weird Pearl Cinema, then the Fantasia Entertainment Club. Now, the museum houses over a hundred different optical illusion 3D paintings showing a variety of scenes for the guests to be silly with.

Things to Do in Phuket - Places To Eat

16. Red Duck Restaurant

Red Duck Restaurant is only a fairly small restaurant, but their food is anything but small. Authentic Thai dishes are cooked to perfection and are served creatively and with style. The food they serve are definitely as good as they look and they live up to the hype. The charming chef and owner is always present to make sure that him and his staff provide you with world-class quality service.

Historical Things to See and Do in Phuket, Thailand

17. Phuket Thai Hua Museum

Thai Hua Museum, one of Phuket’s most prized architectural wonders, is located on Krabi Road. It is one of the most charming and most well-maintained Sino-Portuguese structures in the province of Phuket. The building, which was recently renovated, was once a Chinese-language school. It also features a lovely garden where  heavy tools and machines from the industrial era were displayed.

What’s it about, though? As the previous purpose of the building implies, this museum exhibits how the Chinese figures in Phuket strived and struggled to become successful in their trades. Somehow, it also shows the history and culture of Phuket,, as seen from Thai-Chinese business trade standpoint.

In 2008, Thai Hua museum was awarded in the field of constitutional and public buildings, by the Siam Architect Association under the King’s support in the museum’s exemplary role in architectural arts.

Things to Do in Phuket For Free

18. Promthep Cape

The much coveted Promthep Cape is located at the southernmost part of Phuket. It is the rocky cliff that juts out into the sea, providing a panoramic view of the island, especially at sunset. Aside from the fantastic view, there is also an elephant shrine and a charming lighthouse displaying several historical maritime relics for the history buffs who are interested in the area’s history.

The balcony of the lighthouse also has its treat: a marvelous view of the nearby islands. On a fine day, visitors can see the distinctive shapes of Koh Racha Noi, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Racha Yai.

Fun Things to Do with Kids in Phuket, Thailand

19. A-Maze Garden Tours

Who said Thailand is just about beaches and ancient temples? Here at A-Maze Garden in Phuket, the visitors’ brain cells will be challenged as they try to wander and find their way out of a thousand square meter labyrinth. They can race or take their sweet time exploring this one-of-a-kind attraction.

This is a fun activity to do whether you are with friends or kids, you will have a grand time practicing and utilizing your directional skills. A-Maze Garden has been a popular destination for family fun and this is one of the spots to spend an afternoon at—heck, why not an entire day?

Fun Things to See in Phuket

20. Visit The Upside Down House

The Upside Down House in Phuket is one of the quirkiest things you will see in this country. This literally upside down house  offers a one-of-a-kind chance to somehow walk on the ceiling. Visitors to this quirky attraction enter from the attic of the inverted house and they  are free to explore the fascinating rooms, including the kitchen, bathroom, living room, including a garage with a life-size tuk tuk in it. Once visitors have adapted to the awkward feeling of seeing the floor above and the ceiling below, the place is actually good for taking social media worthy selfies and groupies as well.

Phuket, Thailand is a province blessed with lush and verdant landscapes, turquoise waters, and breathtaking beaches. Moreover, wildlife and marine species abound, which add up to the archipelago's inviting appeal. 

Much  like anywhere in the world, Phuket may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there are a lot of things to do there for everyone. 

Phuket boasts of its natural wonders, and it also has amazing man-made architectural gems to balance things out. Furthermore, the rich cultural and historical background of the province is definitely something to be fascinated about. 

The best part of it, I believe, is that you don't have to spend a lot to enjoy the islands. 

Phuket in Thailand is absolutely one of the places you should not miss in Asia.