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Published: June 11th 2010
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WelcomeDrinks from A1 IslandGuesthouse
Claus and Goy welcomed us with open arms (and Pina Coladas)! We apologize for adding this entry 5 weeks late!! We have been go-go-going so much that there hasn't been much of any down time. We have also had +++ trouble getting wifi in several of the places we've stayed as many have been remote. C'est la vie! We will try to add some now; better late than never!
Sawadee ka from Thailand, the "Land of Smiles"! We had a wonderful flight on Silk Air from Singapore to Phuket, Thailand. We were greeted by Rung, our female taxi driver who was wonderful at describing things along our 40 minute ride to A1 Island Guesthouse, owned by our friends Claus & Goy. On the way we saw a blazing fire at a lumberyard...we later found out that the firetruck arrived quickly on the scene but then it was discovered that the water tank was empty. Pam saw a family crying by the scene; likely the family business was being destroyed. Very hard to watch from the taxi...
We arrived to a very warm Thai welcome at Claus & Goy's! We were shown to our room along with two fresh Pina Colada's in coconuts garnished with orchids. What a way to start!!
Looking for Adventure
Heading out on a bike day trip around the west side of the island of Phuket. Bob enjoyed a few cocktails with Claus and Goy while Pam had a rest...still jetlagged. If we thought it was hot in Singapore, Patong was a wet sauna turned up to max! We had the first of many wonderful Thai meals at their guesthouse. Bea and the rest of the staff were fun to get to know! After supper we went for a walk to show Pam the town of Patong as Bob had lived in the area before. To top off our first meal we went to Swensen's for some ice cream!! The first of many in Thailand.
During our walk we came across a pimped out Volkswagen Westphalia painted hot pink, decked out with neon lights and a full bar - essentially a mobile cocktail vessel including barstools! The bartender/driver was a cute Thai guy (Pam's words) shaking up frosty libations for a crowd of hot, thirsty women (Bob's words). It was quite the sight...and we didn't bring the camera. Ray, maybe you could put your Westphalia to good use in Winnipeg! LOL!
Of course, we could not end our first day in Thailand without the prerequisite Thai massage before bed. For $10 each including tip all
Karon Beach
On the bikes four of us enjoyed an hour of bliss.
The next day we toured the island on motorbikes with Claus and Goy. It was another very hot and sunny day, perfect for viewing the beautiful beaches on the south-west part of Phuket (including Rawai, Ya Nui, Nai Harn, Kata, and Karon). We drove up to see the big Buddha on the top of a hill at the south end of Phuket. From the top of the hill you could see Phuket Town, Chalong, and Kata...great for pictures! As we drove around Bob pointed out some of his old haunts around the island.
One of our stops was at Ya Nui Beach where Claus and Goy were married in 2007 - a beautiful setting. We then spent a couple of hours eating, swimming, and lazing at Nai Harn beach. The wind was very strong that day and we were getting sand-blasted! The waves were also getting too strong by the end of our stay and the red flags came out. The ocean was fun until you could feel it pulling you at your legs as you were standing in the water. It was time to get out! Claus actually spotted
Karon
Phuket tuk-tuk's in Karon Beach a young man in trouble and swam out with a boogie board and helped him get back to shore as the lifeguards were slow on the uptake.
It was almost sunset time and one of the best places to go in Phuket for the sunset is the After Beach Bar. It is located just south of Kata on a cliff overlooking the Andaman Sea. What a great way to end our tour - a few cocktails and many laughs over the beautiful sunset!
Another fantastic Thai meal and a massage and it was off to bed early as we were off in the wee hours of the morning to head to Ao Nang in Krabi Province via ferry.
PS The massage started with a pre-treatment of "fish massage". You stick your feet in an aquarium of minnow-sized fish from the knee down and the fish nibble at the dead skin on your legs and feet making them soft and smooth. At first it feels really creepy and then it just tickles. Bob's fish had a really good meal! They were happy that Bob decided to give it a go!
Stay tuned for adventures from Ao Nang...
Bob and Pam
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Heather
non-member comment
I really enjoyed your post from Thailand, and it reminded me of my own time there! Those fish freaked me out at first too! My blog is looking for travel reviews, photos, etc, to share. If you have the time, check it out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com, or email us at dirtyhippiesblog@gmail.com. Continued fun on your travels! Heather :)