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Published: April 27th 2012
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This is the last entry of our little Easter holidays. After spending an amazing time diving 4 days with the Forra team from Koh Lipe, they dropped us at the ferry pier of Phi Phi.
We were a little late...I have to admit, we loved to spend our time under the water. So we just had the time to go out of the Forra liveaboard...and on the huge ferry to Phuket. And here it hits me right in the face...we are back to the world...the one of mass tourism, of people who have no idea how to dress in public...just because they are under the sun doesn't give them the right for such a bad taste...back to a world I simply don't like.
The ferry ride took just short of two hours...pretty comfortable...and rather boring. We arrived on Phuket Island just before 5pm. Our first stop, the Westin on Siray beach, actually just minutes away from the pier...first mission, walk 200 meters out of the taxi sharks...with rates above the London ones!
The Westin...most of the time I love Starwood properties....not this one. The place is brand new...and it shout only one
thing...we love "package tourists"....our suite was bland and boring, service was average...no need to come back here. We checked at 5pm...got out of here just after breakfast. Tiffany and Leslie tested the swimming pool...just average...not a place for us.
From there we took a taxi for the 40 minutes drive to the North-East of Phuket. Not many hotels, here, not many tourists. We reach the Ao Po Grand Marina, and took us some time to finally get our private speed boat to paradise....our destination, the Naka Resort, on the Naka Island.
If you love privacy....some luxury, this is a beautiful place. Just re-opened and re-branded, the place used to be a Six Senses. This is in the middle of nowhere...actually...in the middle of a beautiful scenery...without any other development around.
This is also a place with more than 2/3 of guests on honeymoon. I'm a single Dad with two great kids...Single Honeymoon with the kids anyone? I was first a little sceptic if I would love the experience. We stay here 24 hours...and the end result...I had a blasted...as well as Tiffany and Leslie.
Our little villa was
pretty amazing...the private swimming pool, the outside bath, the view...pretty impressive. If you ask what Tiffany and Leslie prefered, they'll obviously answer the bicycles to get around.
We had pretty nice food, nice drinks too and nice conversations with the staff. Newly opened property meaning teething problems....teething problems mean they take care of us even better....what a time!
We barely saw other guests. Everybody is staying in they little nest...only venturing out to the restaurants. The main swimming pool remain empty, all the time...as most villas have their won swimming pool.
Leslie had his first ever holidays in Phuket...staying at the Amanpuri and the Banyan Tree....he was 5 weeks old. I came back few more time in Phuket the last few years. The spa pool villas at the Banyan Tree are amazing cuddling nests...few of my "exes" could only acknowledge this (smile)! The Naka has everything to end up in the same league...what you gain here is amazing views, even more privacy...Being lost in the middle of nowhere also means this is paradise...as long as you keep it for not too long. A week here, no thank you! Well, depends with who....
As we do things on a slightly eclectic note...after the luxury, it has to be ...back to the other end...or nearly. We took the private speed boat back to the main island...than a taxi...to the bus station. This was followed by four hours on a not very comfortable bus to Surat Thani before boarding the night train back home. Yes, I know, we could have been on a plane, but night trains are fun, simple!
I will be back at the Naka for sure. Let's just hope they keep the deal as good as the one we just had. Will be back, not for a honeymoon...I kind of don't fancy those anymore...I'm way more into "hornymoon"...way more funny!
Next entry coming soon! Just spent part of my week in Saigon, and going to hit the road again very soon... oh yes and this week was a pretty interesting one....not on a travel note thought!
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Donna and Neil
Donna and Neil
Nice!
Wow, the Naka looks very nice! We know exactly what you mean about people not knowing how to dress in public in the sun, it really annoys us - especially the ones who walk around with no top and shoes/flip flops on (why they would want to walk with no shoes/flip flops is anyone's guess!). Looks like you all had fun on your Easter holidays, hope you are all well.