4 am the alarm goes off, time to get up and get ready to go to the airport, Phuket here we come.

Perth must have the worst airport in the world, no better than an outback country shed compared to KL, Singapore or Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.

After 6 hours we touch down at Phuket’s airport, a nice smooth landing as well. Another 30 minutes or so we arrive at our hotel, the Patong Merlin. We really like this hotel, the rooms are basic but usually when I am in the room I am asleep, but it is when you are on the balcony or walking through the grounds with lush gardens and three pools that you appreciate this hotel. All the staff are smiling and friendly. Tropical paradise atmosphere.

Off with the jeans, on with the board shorts and tee shirt, I am now formally dressed for my holidays and now down to look at the beach and buy coke for my duty free Jack Daniels and nibbles, our favourite the dried chilli squid.

We had plans not to do much in Phuket except relax, we have seen most sights and as we were going to Bangkok afterwards, this was where we were going to do most of our shopping. I just purchased a few shirts for everyday use as I came with an almost an empty suitcase. Eula of coarse was unable to resist the urge to buy, as she says, this is where she has a large choice of clothes to buy because of her small size.

We were given vouchers to use at the hotel so we went to the Cafe Del Mar and had a few dinners there with entertainment at the same time.

I would have like to gone to the islands to do some snorkeling but the winds were quite strong and the waters would have been too rough. For consistent clear waters, about November to April is the best time to go for water activities.

Most of the trip was spent visiting various restaurants and then window shopping, buying a little bit of this and that and at night enjoying the bright lights, loud music of Bangla Road’s many clubs and bars.

Nearly forgot our many massages.

Before we left home I searched the internet and downloaded a list of recommended restaurants to visit, one was the S & G Family Restaurant which I had intentions to go to. That evening for dinner I said lets go to that restaurant (the name I could not remember) we went to last time, simple home style, cheap and friendly service. Guest what, it was the S & G Family restaurant.

One night when Eula was tired and stayed at the hotel room watching the  Star Movie chanel I ended up at the Tahiti Bar playing games with the bar girls ( no not that sort of games) but connect 4, jackpot and Jenga.

I was hopeless at Connect 4, Shut the Box, mainly luck but I was great at Jenga. I purchased a Shut the Box game and Jenga set to bring home. In Phuket they play different variations of the orginal Jenga and I have been Googling trying to find the alternatives. No Luck. I have photos luckily, and will try to set up from these but not to optimistic. I had quite a few Jack Daniels during my playing time. The Bar Girls doing their job well keeping me at the bar. Hahahaha

The next day we met some guest at our hotel and they said there was a shooting and stabbing in Bangla road that night at about 2am. I remember that time well and I was in Bangla road, it was  the time when I looked at my watch and thought “Eula is going to kill me when I get back to our room”. Hahaha

There was no shooting or stabbing that night.

I told Eula what I did and we went back to the bar to show her how good I was at Jenga, yes I was good again. One of the bar girls entertained Eula in teaching her how to make origami out of serviettes and played jackpot with her as I played Jenga. It is funny when the tower collapses, there are screams and all the girls come running to pick up the pieces that are strewn over the floor.

When walking home Eula says:- last night I was worried that you may have been kidnapped and murdered, instead you were enjoying yourself surrounded by sexy girls.

I then came down quite ill that night so the next few days I took things a bit easy.

Another good time in Phuket, met friends again, good weather, only the last two days with any consistent rain but still plenty of dry between showers.

Friday 8th off to Bangkok.

Lucky the plane fight is only 1 hour 30 minutes and it seemed very quick.

We were little worried as our luggage was the about the last off the plane and after watching all other luggage pass by in front of us our concern was, did our luggage go to the right destination, finally we see our luggage coming up the conveyor belt. Moral of the story luggage first on the plane last off the plane.

Zapping along the freeway to our hotel then stop, yes Bangkok traffic, seems like we are having a sightseeing trip of all the Bangkok side streets then our Hotel, The Pathuwan Princess.

A very classy hotel compared to the Patong Merlin but still not that tropical paradise atmosphere. Eula is happy, the Hotel connects to the MBK shopping center (7 floors). There are hundreds even thousands of stores ( one floor completely devoted to mobile phones). You can never find the same store again, so if you see something you like buy straight away. 

On Sunday our friend Manee and her friend Cheng and daughter Plah ( I hope I have correct spelling, sorry that Eula  was calling you prawn) took as to The Chatuchak Weekend  Markets. I started to feel very weak from walking, the flight, heat and previous illness and had to sit down. So as the ladies wanted to continue their shopping they dropped me off to have a long massage. Lucky me.

After a whole day shopping they took us to a German restaurant (Ratsstube) the food was delicious. I think this hotel is for the Thai because it is off the main roads and I was the only westerner in there. The restaurant's decor was very classy.

The next day we booked a dinner river cruise. We had an excellent time, simple buffet meal, viewing the many landmarks along the Chao Phraya river, on-board entertainment and dancing on the way back. Only 2 hours, wish we had more time but I suppose it allows other people to see more of the night life if they want.

Shopping again next day, then that night of to The Global Jamming Party, put on by Heineken Beer (yes I had quite a few). Thank you Manee for the tickets. As she was part of the organization team we were left with her friends to bop along to the many artists. By 10.30 we were stuffed and left for our hotel. I would hate to see if we stayed to the end and had to try to get a taxi. There were about 7000 people I believe. So much for our  government warning to avoid mass gatherings. hahaha

Also today is Eula’s birthday, and when we got back to our hotel room there was a birthday cake waiting for her with compliments from the hotel.

Next day another friend Saksinee, Chittakorn and Atom took us to visit a few sites, Bang Pa-in Palace and ancient city of Ayatthaya.

The highlight was the restaurant we visited at the side of The Chao Phraya River. As the menu was in Thai we said just order for us. The food was so nice unlike any taste we have had before in Thailand. I felt I was the first westerner to visit this restaurant. There were a lot of Thai people arriving for it was the Queens Birthday and also mother day, a holiday in Thailand, where families go for meals to celebrate with their mothers. Need to ask Saksinee for the name of a crab dish we had, Eula wants me to make it. Hopefully I can find on internet.

The day was very hot. Sorry Saksinee that we were not very talkative after everything we have done before and the hot day I think were just exhausted, but still enjoyed the day greatly, thank you for your friendship. I know Eula enjoyed your company greatly and enjoyed her conversations with you, at least she was a bit more chatty than me. Next time I will not stop chatting.  hahaha

Thursday, last day. Off to MBK shopping center to buy last items. I got my remote control helicopter, Eula purchased items for her daughter that she had requested.

Surprise! we were both under our baggage weight limit.

11.50pm Good bye Thailand, our jet is speeding down the runway.

The end, maybe not could be more additions that come to memory.

Back to Thailand again, no reason at this stage to say no.