Roti Sai Mai more and more

There really has not been enough written about how absolutely addictive this stuff is.

I have to admit to loving it most when they cook the 'wraps' whilst you wait.

The best description of this that I found was called - 

"Thai Cotton Candy in a Pancake Desert".

There are more descriptions throughout the Internet but I think that it looks - 

"Good enough to eat".

Best Japanese dish selection in Phuket - Zen

Always happy with the selection here - Zen at Central Festival.

The Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is something that I have become very familiar with living in Asia over the last 15 years but sometimes I just never look close enough.

The wooden decoration above was on the side of a house at the bottom or Rang Hill in Phuket Town and the decoration below was on a wall at work!

There are 12 animals to the Western Zodiac and it seems similar with the Chinese Zodiac - but not all of the meanings are the same. This site discusses compatibility and social customs linked with the Chinese Zodiac.

There are always many App to download if you want to play more?

Climbing a Coconut Tree the traditional way

Climbing a Coconut Tree the traditional way involves some rope, co-ordination, stamina and strength.

The gentleman in the photographs has climbed the Coconut Trees ever since I came to work at Cape Panwa Hotel and he is still visiting us. 

 The skill that this man has is incredible. The point that I find the most interesting is the fact that we do not see this in many places at all in Phuket - what I see more usual is a

 monkey on a chain.

Congratulations to this man who is able to do this.

Maps - Where to take a picture in Phuket

So where are some of Phuket's most Photogenic Places?

View Some of Phuket’s most photogenic spots in a larger map

Star Wars, Superman, Monsters University and Tesco

We have visited Tesco any number of times - witnessing a recent make-over.

Imagine my pleasure when whilst I was looking for a new shirt in UNIQLO in Tesco.

Star Wars had arrived in Phuket - The Force was here.

Then there was the Monster University!

After all of these I then walked around to the end and found that one of the smaller shops was a Superman Shop.

Any orders can be taken for Christmas and which one?


View shopping in Phuket in a larger map

Loy Krathong 2014

The Loy Krathong Festival is something that seems to have as many stories about it as there are Provinces in Thailand - the stories of Loy Krathong are numerous and I understand that they are all open to interpretation.

So make your own choices.

Loy Krathong started the day before when we prepared our Krathongs using only natural products. The next day was the preparation of our daughter for her day at school - her traditional Thai dress is found...

My day began in the evening when I was an MC at Cape Panwa Hotel. 

We have a Miss Noppamas contest between the staff and I have little to no idea as to who they are!

then a Local Acrobatic Show

Pong-Lang dancing 

releasing the Loy Krathongs

releasing the Spirit Balloons.

  

Then we left to release our own Krathong in the local village - wonderful.

For information try here: 

Thailand Life - written by the Thailand Culture Commission.
Wikipedia - Loy Krathong
Thai World View - Loy Krathong
and so much, much more.

Links 

 1) Loy Krathong at Cape Panwa Hotel 2009

 2) Loy Krathong 2010 and Cape Panwa Hotel 2010 

 3) Loy Krathong 2011 and Cape Panwa Hotel 2011 

 4) Loy Krathong 2012   

Octopus seen in Phuket!

The World's Largest Super Yacht - Octopus - was spotted in the bay in front of Cape Panwa Hotel  today and then we found that one of the staff booked diving with Jamie - with Sunrise Divers

This is the Phocea - still there...

Two new friends.

Loy Krathong preparations

Good morning - Happy Loy Krathong


The day began with a shock - I had forgotten how long it would take to get Jemma ready for school but hats off to Chuen and Daeng for managing it.

Then here are places for you to float your Krathong around Phuket - thanks to the Attitude Club.

Links 

 1) Loy Krathong at Cape Panwa Hotel 2009

 2) Loy Krathong 2010 and Cape Panwa Hotel 2010 

 3) Loy Krathong 2011 and Cape Panwa Hotel 2011 

 4) Loy Krathong 2012

Phuket Happenings - October 2014

October saw the culmination of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival and I managed to not have a visit to the Phuket International Hospital this year. Thousands packed the roads for the Festival.

October started off as a very wet month and what can you do in Phuket when it rains?!

The Worldwide Photowalk was not as previous years but it was fun none the less - next time I really should order a T.Shirt.

Then there was an escape to Australia for a fortnight...

More importantly - should I buy a Drone?

A Billion Dollar Baht Beach Scandal 

So there was a system of renting out the beach area and it was known about!

Beach Rental Agreement 

16 Patong Mafia taxi sentenced 

Show some Russians some love 

Phuket is scared to lose them????

Jet-ski's allowed on Kamala beach 
- what? I thought...
- allowed to park...? 
Jet-ski's are still scamming tourists 
- - what? I thought...

6 illegal elephants to be expelled 
- think that they meant 'unregistered'...

The bypass road collapses again
- they want to build a tunnel?

An incident at Phuket Tiger Kingdom...
- not visiting there again (dad was right)

Phuket Floating Market in 2015
- looking forward to it at Sapan Hin

A German tourist dies because swimming in the surf - with a Red Flag displayed

- who is responsible, the Travel Agency, the Hotel, Phuket...

- education somewhere - everywhere

DO NOT SWIM WHEN THERE IS A RED FLAG - DO NOT

and more 

View Accident black spots. in a larger map