Have been in Bangkok for 6 days...travelling with my 2 sisters and my 2 boys aged 2 and 8. I promised myself I would keep a dairy so I would not forget anything but this lasted for 3 days (sorry!!) So if things seem out of order, my mistake but I will try and put in as much as I can remember. Have been to Phuket 2 years ago so was not interested in the elephants/monkey/James Bond Island stuff as we had already done it...

Flew to Phuket from Bangkok with Airasia. Booked tickets in Oz for the grand sum of $75 return.

Had a look at heaps of hotels but since we were staying in Thailand for 40 days price was an issue. Finally narrowed it down to 2 choices, Swiss Palm and Sunset Beach Resort. Sunset Beach Resort won as they had a better pool but they were a bit further out then we imagined (those maps are not anywhere near scale!!!).

This hotel offers a free shuttle into town between 9am and 9pm so it didn't really matter being out so far if you didn't stay out late (we did though)

We got the hotel to pick us up from the airport (750bt) as we justed wanted to get there and arrived at the hotel at about 8pm.

Dumped our bags in our room and decided we had time to make it into town for a quick look. We weren't told where the free shuttle left from and when we came downstairs we were sort of directed towards the front of the hotel and we jumped on the red bus out front. When we got to Bangla road we went to say thanks and were asked for 200bt.... we assumed this was the shuttle - lesson one - don't assume it was one of those taxi vultures waiting for a victim!!!

My thoughts on the hotel:

We paid $53 a night and for what it offered it was good value. The pool was its biggest asset and I would recommend it if you wanted to spend a lot of time relaxing.

It was a huge pool, had a waterfall, swim up bar, a pool above the waterfall with jacuzzi , bridges and a kids pool.

Only downfall was it was quite deep (we are short) and the kids pool was fine but my other son(8) wanted to swim in the bigger pool and the shallower end was way up the other end making it impossible to keep an eye on them both at the same time.

Got washing done around the corner for 50bt a kilo - ready the next day.

Staff friendly but English was limited. Luckily we didn't really need to talk to them

We started off by heading to the OTOP markets. Weren't there very long when it bucketed down!!! This place seems to have a drainage problem so we were walking in great rivers of water (not great for shoes - best to wear thongs if its going to rain). Markets were very quite and as we had been to Bangkok and priced stuff there we found that prices were a lot dearer here. As we intended to go to Phuket Town markets on the weekend, we were only checking out prices not buying.

We found the alcohol shop up near the Patong Merlin. If you are a bourbon drinker best to bring some duty free as it is hard to find and as nearly as dear as home. Vodka was about 300-400bt a bottle.

Cigarettes were between 65-85bt per pkt of 20 at the 7/11. If you brought off the street you paid 100bt.

Thursday saw us chech out Beach Rd, Jungcylon (I thought an overpriced tourist trap) but never found the entrance to Robinsons which I was told was worth checking out. We also went to the 2 Ocean Plaza's and picked up some cheap jewellery.

Also wandered around Bangla Rd (which looks so different at night). This is a great place for people watching. We did not really do the pub scene with the kids. Did get my 8 year old to try and pick out the ladyboys....some were obvious/some not.

The sex show hawkers were out in force but were very discreet when the kids were around and held their signs near their chest when we went passed. Would have loved to check out another show as we had such a laugh last time.

On Friday we had organised for Mai to take us on a tour of the island...something we did not do last time. As we also had the Friday night BBQ on we got picked up at 8am so we could get back in time.

I had emailed Mai and Nuch on what we were interested in seeing but was a bit apprehensive as just before we left someone who had used him did a post and were dissappointed. So I emailed Cathy (of cathyandgarystravelpages) with myideas and she added a few more to make up an 8 hour day (thanks Cath)
When Mai picked us up he asked what we wanted to do...so I showed him my list which he looked at but didn't say much.

We drove past Karon and Kata Beach, stopping at Kata Viewpoint, Stopped at Cape Promthepe which I wanted to return to so I could see a sunset, went and saw the Big Buddha. This was amazing. We watched them hauling up buckets of cement to use by hand. The head was finished and they hope to finish in 2009 but I don't see that happening. Would love to see it finished. Highly recommend a visit but get dropped off at the top and walk down to the car park . Saw heaps of people walking up from the carpark - not the easiest way.


It got really hot early but by the time we got to Wat Chalong it bucketed down again. We were stranded inside ubtil it eased off but it was still to wet to check out the markets there which was a pity. We wanted to go to Cape Panwa but Mai said with this weather it wasn't much point as you would see nothing. Instead he dropped us off at the Big C for 2 hours. This was a pity but couldn't be helped because of the weather but it was the last thing I wanted to do with the day as we could have done this ourselves.

Got Mai to show us where the Phuket Town markets were so we could make our way back here on the weekend. He then yook us quickly to Cape Panwa but we had to leave to make the 5pm pich up for the BBQ.

Overall the day was worthwhile. It cost 1500bt for 8 hours, in a van which was very reasonable. Would I use Mai again? Probably not. He rarely spoke and when we asked questions he had a hard time answering us. I think in hindsight I would prefer to pay more and have a guide who can converse in English, maybe point out things of interest along the way in case you are interested in seeing them then or later on by yourself. Also a bit of history would have been good.


We felt a bit rushed at some places and it would have been great to be recommended some places to see.

Cathy suggested Tunk Hill Cafe and also a restaurant at Cape Panwa opposite the Naval Academy which we hoped to do also but didn't get time.

Part 2 coming up....

Fantastic JBR Karin ... I am amazed that you manage to do so much with 2 kids in tow - especially a 2 year old!!! Im assuming he's still having day naps (and hopefully not nappy changes!!) Hats off to you for treating your kids to such a wonderful adventure (minus your hubby too! Is he like mine and not too keen on travel???)
Im hoping that they appreciate the wonderful experience they have had, Im guessing the 8yo will, but prob not the 2yo!

Kitty

Hi Kitty,
yes my 2 (now 3 year old) is toilet trained and we insisted that the boys have a nap in the arvo if we were at the room. Over protests by Jake who at 8 did not want to have a nap it was - if you want to go out shopping later and stay out late you need to have a sleep now. Usually worked....the old I'm not tired ....as soon as there head hit the pillow they were asleep.

With Tom we took one of those cheap fold up prams, so if he was tired he just fell asleep. Couldn't stop his head from falling forward though and did think of tying it back with one of those octopus straps but didn't know how people would react to that!!!

Might I just add that since we have been home Tom has stopped having his daytime naps most days but on the upside he falls asleep about 7ish!!!

Both boys had a great time and didn't want to come home!!! Don't think I can wait another 2 years to go back!!

As for hubby.....he would have loved to come but wasn't given an option (not exactly thrilled) Couldn't imagine him travelling with my sisters....
And he is of the opinion of well you just had a holiday while I was at work!! Can you imagine it being a holiday with kids??? Still do the same stuff for them that you do at home it is just in a different setting!!

Couldn't leave home without them even though it does hinder some aspects of the holiday...it would have been nice to go out occassionally without them but then I would spend most of the night wondering if they were ok.

All in all you can do most things with them and it is a great adventure for them too.

Hi Karin
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your JBR!
Very interesting!!!!
Dont know how you did it with kids- I had enough trouble keeping track of my boyfriend!!!!LOL
Grace

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STAY AWAY FROM MONKEYS!!!!