Hijacked!

My trip to Phuket, in  Southern Thailand, was filled with its ups and downs, but probably the worst part was the 12 hour over night bus ride from Bangkok.  The tourist bus was actually really comfortable, with seats that reclined far back and air-conditioning, so the 12 hours was not a problem. The problems started when they dropped us at some remote location several hours away from Phuket without a word of what we should do or where we should go.  After sitting and waiting for nearly and hour my mother and I jumped on the first jeep that pulled up, its driver yelling "Phuket, Phuket!"  Bad idea.  We ended up getting hijacked and brought to a travel agency where they made us shell out another 500 Baht before putting us into a van with a driver that drove at no more then a slugs pace to Phuket. A trip that should have taken maybe 3 hours, ended up taking over 5 hours.  This driver, who just had an all around bad attitude ended up taking us to another travel agency, and when no one in our group decided to buy a touring package (which I am guessing he would have made some commission on), he took us on to our hotels, but without AC -- so, now the ride was slow and hot.  My only solace was that everyone of us in the van (about 10-12 all together) were feeling equally confused and frustrated.  At least we were not the only ones duped.  Adding insult to the whole situation is that the driver refused to drop us off at our hotel, which was at the top of a VERY steep hill. Oh no, he drops us at the bottom of the hill with a sign pointing up for Baan Yuree Resort.  So at about 2PM, in near 100 degree, humid, stagnant heat, my poor mother and I had to drag our luggage up the hill to our hotel.  By the time we got near the top I had to take my Moms bags and carry them the rest of the way as she was shaking from exhaustion.  Needless to say, not a great start to what should have been a relaxing vacation. 

So word to the wise...when you book a trip to Phuket from Bangkok, my advice would be to shell out the extra money to fly into Phuket airport (considerably more $$ than the bus) or even better, take the direct bus (only about $10 more) that drops you at Phuket Town Bus Terminal.  From either the airport or the bus terminal you can then get a local taxi to take you to your resort for roughly 500Bt more.  Also, I would recommend that you book your ticket at the bus terminal and not through a travel agent, as in my experience, they tend to be total crooks.