Phuket

There much excitement in the air, we were off to Thailand and seeing Gran and Grumps.  Our lovely friend Dan drove us to the airport where we met Mum and Dad at the check in.  Lots of hugs and happy excited faces.  And a little nervousness from me as I triple checked boarding passes and passports, as the kids grabbed for there's trying to be independent!  Didn't take too long and we were aboard the plane ready to go.  Gran and Grumps were lucky enough to be seated a few rows and another aisle away.  We annoyed a few passengers running back and forth.  About two hours in I happily said to Mum, we're half way to Kuala Lumpur, she looked at me strangely "you know its an 8 hour flight Amanda?" apparently I'd gotten confused with our times, now the flight seem to drag on and on!!!

We got off the plane in Kuala Lumpur and had a few hours to kill.  The kids found a toy store and a few other fun things to do.  And we found a pretty tasty restaurant for tea/lunch or whatever meal it was.

We finally arrived in Phuket Thailand after a long day travelling.  The kids did a fabulous job putting up with all the travel and confined spaces, even Grumps wasn't too grumpy!  We found our maxi taxi to the hotel and off we went.  We couldn't see much, it was too dark, but I still tried to have a good sticky beak.  We arrived at the hotel with one child asleep and the other almost asleep.  Mark carried Jake to the golf cart and after I checked in we were off to our room. It was a lovely room with two big beds, which we layed Jake on straight away, he never even woke, much to the amusement of the staff who delivered our bags!  The next day he had no recollection about even being on a golf cart. We made up for that and had plenty of rides in the golf cart, especially with Jakes favourite drive Nom, his new best bud!

We stayed at the Centara resort which had all the typical things you'd expect of a resort, a few pools, a few bars, a few restaurants and of course a buffet breakfast.  Plus it was really handy for all the local shops etc. Kids once again loved getting the animal towel shapes left by the maids, just like in Bali.

First stop was of course the breakfast buffet.  We certainly got our moneys worth here.  But like all things, the novelty wore off after a few days and we stopped pigging out.  Was very handy though, you ate a big breakie, then only had snacks during the day and a dinner at night.

It was a beautiful warm sunny gorgeous summers day so we decided to have a walk around Phuket and see what was about.  We were so excited to be in such lovely weather, lulled us into a false sense of security though, we had plenty of rain after this!

We were staying at Karon beach which is a short drive from the main area of Patong.  It was a few minute walk from our hotel to the beach.  The kids were fascinated by all the stalls and people everywhere.  It's this really busy place but in such a small crowded area.  I just love seeing the kids take in all the new sights and smells.  They couldn't understand what all the black rope was all over the buildings and threading through the air.  Mum explained it was the power lines, or black noodles as she calls them!

We walked down to the beach and yes it was pretty.  There were quite a few people and a little bit of rubbish, but not too bad.  Our problem is we've been so spoilt with the amazing beaches in Australia that sometimes other beaches just don't match them.  Of course Jake decided to have a swim, clothes and all. 

After we'd had a walk around Karon beach we went back to the hotel for some quiet time.  Everyone was a little tired after our late flight in the night before.  Such a novel experience for us to be in a building, in a bedroom, on real beds, a bit of a step up from the caravan.

We walked to the end of the street and found a busy looking local restaurant.  Lots to see and look at.  The kids were so great at trying new foods, they seem to enjoy Thai food as long as its not too spicey.  We were sitting waiting for our meal to be delivered and Jake say to me "Mum there's a cockroach at my feet", oops.  I just kicked it and it ran away to join its friends in the gutter.

Then we had to visit the pancake man at the end of the street.  He made the most simple but delicious banana pancakes.  We had to 'test' them every night almost, so yummo.  Plus he was a funny character and we found him very entertaining.

Another major thing that Charlotte wanted to do almost straight away was have her hair braided.  Mum and I took her to a local salon and it seemed to take hours,  But boy did she love it.  They really do such a great job.  Mum of course had to have a go, ummm not sure its her talent!  We did also find time to have a manicure and pedicure whilst we were there as well.  Think we were the best customers of the day.

Over the next couple of days we explored the area, swam a lot in the pool and generally enjoyed ourselves in amongst the rain.  It would be lovely for a while then lots and lots of rain.  We made good use of the umbrellas!  Kids found time for the water slide and the blow up balls in the pool.

Jakes mate Nom helping with Mae Tae

Mum, Dad and I hit the gym most days, no photos though!  Mark and Jake had a Mae Tae boxing lesson.  Jake enjoyed it so much he went back for another one.  Helped get rid of any pent up energy, he was pretty tired after.

In between the showers I took some shots of some beautiful flowers at the resort.

We also managed to find the swim up bar, it was very nice.  Until the children decided to join us.  Nothing is sacred anymore.  I found a love for Manjo Daquiris, so so good.  And I'm sure they were barely alcoholic.....

Whilst in Phuket we also did loads of shopping and walking around the markets.  Everything is once again so cheap,  but not always the best quality, but you get what you pay for.  We bought loads of pants, tee shirts etc.  Mum was a woeful help with bartering.  She ended up siding with the seller more often than not and then I ended up paying more for things.  I soon learnt not to have her around when I bartered!  Jake, now he was a much much better barterer!

We also 'manage' to find time to have an almost daily massage.  It was so nice to be pampered and to relax.  Plus there was a wonderful place just near the hotel.  Note to self, Mark didn't enjoy going with Mum and me to have a massage and having to listen to us throughout!

The ladies went for a fish foot spa.  Charlotte had been eyeing off all the tanks each day as we walked past.  I thought she'd chicken out but she didn't.  I think Mum might have squealed and giggled louder than Charlotte.  Its a rather strange feeling but you do get used to it.  I'm sure our feet felt so much smoother, the fish got a good feed of dry skin that day.

We all went to the temple night time market.  It had a lot of the usual items, but also a lot of food.  I couldn't get Charlotte to eat any of the grubs or crickets....she wasn't convinced!  Dad tried the dodgiest looking sausage, he was game but said it was delicious and had no ill effects.  Cast iron stomach.

There are lots of different shows in Phuket you can go and watch.  We chose to go and see Fantasea and it certainly was an experience.  It was all so loud and colourful and just a touch tacky.  And of course everything costs extra as soon as you go in the gates.  We had a fun time walking around exploring and taking photos before the show.   It was a wonderful show full of drama, acrobatics and elephants.  We all really enjoyed it.  That was until we went to the Elephant Nature park and were educated on how badly the elephants are treated there.  Made us feel a little guilty for enjoying the show.



We booked a day trip out to Phi Phi Island.  We had heard mixed reviews of the place.  You go on a power boat with a group of other people to the most amazingly beautiful place.  Large rocky cliffs, lush green foliage, clear blue water, white sandy beaches.......a truly beautiful place.  That is except for the hundreds of other people, crazy crazy boat drivers and twenty or more speed boats coming and going constantly.  It was a real show for us, as to how tourism has ruined an area.  They just need to limit the number of boats and charge people triple the amount and it would be fabulous.  We actually had a really good day.  We had lots of fun swimming about, snorkelling, relaxing and exploring on the other islands plus another interesting buffet style lunch.  Nil ill effects form this one either!  As a whole it was a great experience but just so ruined by large large numbers of visitors.

We spent a lot of time eating out in Phuket.  Some restaurants were fabulous, some not so fabulous.  My favourite dish was Pad Thai and I certainly had it a few times, especially when you can wash it down with a Mojito.  Mark enjoyed the seafood but loved the Massaman curries.  The kids loved getting their drinks, as they were bound to have a fancy swizzle stick, a flower or a piece of fruit attached.  We went to one local restaurant and the owners daughter was doing her homework.  Typical teacher Mum took Charlotte over and introduced her and spent ages discussing schooling in Thailand with the other child's mother.  Gran was in her element.

We were lucky enough to be in Phuket for the Loy Krathong Festival or the festival of lights.  We were going to go to Patong Beach for the festival but were warned off by peoples reports of how crazy it would be and decided it wasn't the best place for the kids.  We went to the lake at Karon Beach instead and that was lovely.  Every where was selling these wonderful floral and candle offerings.  They were so gorgeous.  We bought a few and headed to the lake.  There were lots of people around, but it was a relaxed atmosphere.  We lit our lanterns and watched them move out to the lake.  It looked amazing all the lights a float on the lake.

Marks 'mates' the local firemen and police officer.  Apparently they joked they would charge him for the photo!

Dinner on the way home

We booked a day trip through a local tour group which took us to a few 'must see' sights.  We got picked up in a pretty luxury mini van, the kids thought they were incredibly cool in such a car! It was a pretty sunny day, thankfully, considering the rain we had had.  It was really nice driving around and seeing a little more of Phuket. First stop was a viewing spot over looking the Phuket coast line.  A really pretty view, lots of blue ocean, green foliage and buildings close to the coast.  Its always good to get to higher ground and get some perspective on where you are.

Then we went on to the big Buddha statue, and it was really really big, perched up on top of the hill.  An interesting display of Thai craftmanship on a grand scale.  I had fun taking loads of photos from different angles. 

After we left the big Buddha we drove through Phuket to the Chalong Temple.  Such a beautiful place.  The effort and artwork that the Thai people put into their temples are amazing.  The painting, the gold work and so so much more.  We were lucky enough to see a Thai couple getting married there and Mum snapped a few photos.  Charlotte thought they looked so beautiful.  Jake liked it when they fired of the crackers in the kiln, not sure he understood why they did it but loved the big bangs.  We just love showing the children these different place, such a contrast to the churches and tourist attractions back home in Australia.  Its all part of a wonderful education they are receiving on this trip.



On the way back to our resort we stopped at a cashew nut farm and had a few tastings and bought a few bags to go with our evening drinks.  Then we drove through old Phuket Town and admired the old buildings.



That night Mark convinced me to go to see some Muay Thai boxing.  Assuring me it was perfectly safe.  Well as I found out it is and it also wasn't!!  We met some other travellers on the bus on the way their and had a lovely time chatting and finding out about their life and adventures.  We got dropped outside this doggy looking building with a few locals hanging out.  They pointed us to go down an alley way......hhmmmm, inside was a ring set up, a few rows of chairs and some 'gorgeous' leather seats for the VIPs.  Lots of Thai people about but not so many tourists.  And for the most part I enjoyed myself.  I wasn't so keen watching the little ones fighting, but some of the adults were very good.  The atmosphere was entertaining...until it turned nasty and the opposite teams started an all in brawl.  Mark was silly enough to be right up the front cheering on (its amazing how brave you are after a few beers!), near the action whilst I was looking for the quickest way out.  Eventually they stopped the fights and the real boxing began again.  After the matches had finished we all headed to a bar near the hotel and had a very late night or early morning! 

Mum and I went to see Simons Cabaret, for some reason Dad and Mark didn't want to come!  It was a really good show.  Mum and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  Some of the dancing was really good, and some not so much...they danced a little like men!  Their costumes and makeup was fabulous... and so were some of their figures! 

On our last night with Mum and Dad we all go dressed up and went out for tea.  We caught a disco tuk tuk, lights flashing and music pumping, much to the delight of the kids and adults.  We had a delicious dinner at this lovely little restaurant.  Such a lovely way to finish our time with my parents.

That's pretty much then end of our holiday with Mum and Dad in Phuket.  It was so nice to have a relax by the pool, do some sightseeing and to just spend time together.  Lots of cherished memories were made.  Mum and Dad flew home and we flew on to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.