Day 89-91: Phuket, Thailand


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April 25th 2009
Published: April 27th 2009
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Kata NoiKata NoiKata Noi

Polluted much?

Saturday, April 25th


After breakfast Ferdi had to sort out some things on-line so Talita went to the market to walk around and see what's what. Amongst other things she found a KFC! Ferdi's gonna go visit there real soon!

While Ferdi was on-line he decided to check on our blog. He saw we had a new comment, which always fills us with excitement. We love hearing from our people! This comment turned out to be a real disappointment though. We had received our first hate-mail because of our beliefs. We were called "ignorant" and "wacko" and were openly mocked. It sucks, but we know that Jesus said we'd be hated because we follow Him.

In the end, instead of making us ashamed of our faith (as it was intended to), it made us more bold about proclaiming our love for God and wanting to serve Him. If some people dislike us because of that, so be it.

We took a nap till 3pm then went to lunch. After that we just walked around looking through shops and stuff.

Today's highlights:
1. Being inspired to a new boldness for our LORD Jesus.
2. Window shopping in the
Finally!Finally!Finally!

Talita gets to hug a seahorse!
market.

Sunday, April 26th


After breakfast we found a huge second-hand bookstore close to our hotel and we got a few more books to read. We felt like kids in a candy-store!

We got a scooter and headed to the Kata beach area on the south-west coast. We skipped the main beach and headed more south to a smaller beach called Kata Noi because we thought it would be nicer. When we got there we were shocked. The water was full of plastic bags and rubbish. Bottles and polystyrene littered the beach. It's hard to believe that these beautiful beaches are more polluted than ours in South Africa. One would think that the resorts would keep the beaches clean, since that's the reason most people come here.

We beat a hasty retreat and went to explore the main beach. It was cleaner here but not litter free. We had hoped to come snorkeling here but we decided against coming back.

We moved more north and innocently "stumbled upon" the dive shop we had found during our research. They had the best prices of any place on the island so we couldn't help but book three dives for later in the week.

We continued north along the coast toward Patong beach. It was horribly over populated and overpriced. After lunch we walked around a big dive-shop ogling all the gear we can't afford. Much later we made our way back to Phuket Town. We got lost because we came into town from a different direction. We made our best guess but in the end we had to stop and ask directions. Turned out we were two blocks north of our hotel. We'd gotten close! We had forgotten to put on sunscreen so we were both a little toasted.

It was already late afternoon so we read our new books till dinner time. While in Saigon we had bought a contraption like a shuttle-cock ("pluimpie" for the Afrikaans folk) but instead of using a racket you use your feet to kick it to one another. We played until we were dripping with sweat then had a shower and read till bedtime.

Today's highlights:
1. Booking more dives.
2. Realizing we're better off staying in town.
3. Playing with our Vietnamese Shuttle-cock.

Monday, April 27th


It's been three months since we left South Africa and we're missing everyone back home. That being said, we're still having a great time! Just wish y'all could be here with us...

In the morning we went back to the Gibbon project because we wanted to buy some gifts. This time we were smart and took our scooter. The last time taught us not to rely on the buses. It was a long ride and by the time we arrived our butts were numb. Talita went in alone because we had to pay the park entrance fee again. Ferdi waited outside and took some pictures.

Soon we were heading back to town and once more our butts were numb by the we arrived home. We collected all the gifts we had bought, wrapped them up and then read our books.

Today's highlights:
1. Booked a Phi Phi Island snorkeling trip for the following day.
2. Not needing to walk back from the Gibbons.


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National Park sceneryNational Park scenery
National Park scenery

A special view for those waiting at the gate...


28th April 2009

Your Faith
I have followed your blog for some time, having lived in Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia for many years, and have enjoyed every line. Your faith comes through subtly, but even if it was in your face, I can't understand how anyone can be so hateful as to object to others expressing what is obviously central to their lives. From now on please feel free to express your faith, because there are more who will appreciate it than who will hate it. My son and I will be in China from 23-30 May, 31 May to 6 June in Thailand (mostly at Railay Beach, near Krabi), and 6-11 June in Vietnam (mostly Dalat), returning to Bangkok and then the U.S. on 14 June. I will be blogging here.
28th April 2009

never worry
howdy guys x just wanted to say that the one thing you are guaranteed of in this world is ignorant people ... so moenie worry about silly comments and emails! LOL Sonia ZD
30th May 2009

God promise
God promises that those who are mocked and persecuted will be blessed! See God blessed u with more boldness!!! U guys and ur faith is inspiring!

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