A trip to Phang Nga

Phang Nga is a place more famous for a rock island called - Koh Tapu - more commonly known as James Bond Island. But we were on a trip to anywhere but we had scant ideas of where we were going and the iPhone and it's Apps to find places (Foursquare was a regular but Around Me was interesting).



The first place that we stopped was Phang Nga Viewpoint.

Where we could go Horse riding 

Then it was time for some to visit the strange caves at the side of the road - certainly different - สวนสมเด็จพระนครินทร์ พังงา.

Then it was time for some early dinner at Thasai Seafood - a wonderful location by the river - here's Jamies review.

Then it was time for somewhere to stay - found a hotel - very busy (5,200 Baht) so we found a small place - Tonhaad Resort - 700 Baht.

Then we raced to find the waterfall as the sun began to set....

Lovely spot and by the time we got back it was dark.

The following morning we got up with the local animals and then

set off for a local breakfast - this was not just traditional street food - we had a mixture at บ้านช้าง กาแฟสด.

Then there was a quick stop at a beautiful roadside Wat.

Then off for the trip to James Bond with a local fisherman who first took us to these carvings on the side of a rock...

Then it was time for Koh Tapu Island (James Bond) and wow - we did not visit, we only encircled it - 300 Baht each to get on and it was packed.

Then it was onto the Muslim Floating Village - Koh Panyi - to investigate.

And the floating football field...

Then back onto the boat - stopping at a raised island (previously submerged).

We visited Wat Kaeo Manee Si Mahathat on the way back to Phuket - quite an impressive structure....

Then back into the car - stopping at Tree Cups for lunch.

A wonderful time - the weekend went a little too quickly... 

Ice or no ice?

Recently I posted about someone wanting to sue Starbucks because it put ice in the drinks. Which was countered by Starbucks saying that they will do what the person asks for and if they do not want ice they will not put it in....

BUT here in Thailand - they will charge you more if you do not want ice...

TripAdvisor is the road to success - is it?

We have all used TripAdvisor. Sometimes I have a good month and sometimes I have a bad month.

So what causes places to go bust when they are a popular destination in TripAdvisor Should we pay so much attention to what people think? Do we know what we are looking for. Does the location think about this? - they did.

I guess it is just the same as a site to review movies. I was watching Scorpion last night and thought that it was entertaining BUT not on the #IMDB app...

Local Market in the morning (@Phuket)

A morning visit to a Local Market is something which I always have to be organised for.

I always have breakfast because if go hungry I simply feel worse for it - going for breakfast in the Local Market is a different event. 

This is the Local Market along Ranong Road in the heart of Phuket Old Town.

Today I chose to watch the people and take photographs in B&W.

What do you think ?

 

Riding a motorbike

What were you expecting?

I have to say I do not think that you should rent a motorbike if you do not ride a motorbike.

Just look at the snapshots of a day in Bangkok!
Everywhere and waving in and out of the traffic.

Don't forget to watch out on the pavement.

But then again you could be on the back of the motorbike going the wrong way?

Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek 2016

Tuesday the 19th of July.

The boats taking part in Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek began to arrive off the coast.

It is always a wonderful site.

Wednesday 20th July.

Then more began to arrive...

Because there was a party...

Thursday 21st July.

Then the racing began and the boats were on the water.

Then time for a party

Friday 22nd July.

Then there was time for some waiting...

But some races were run - but it was a night off from the parties...

Saturday 23rd July.

There were some difficult races - wind but changing...

But the party was a lot of fun

Sunday 24th July.

So we played a game of volleyball with some members of the Thai National Team.

There was very little racing today and the party made up for it...

It is a very social event and it was fun to be part of it.

Elephant Riding...

Image courtesy of Instagram and Tourism Thailand

We have read about the Dolphins and the cruelty, I have written how terrible Phuket Zoo, I have cuddled a tiger and I have been elephant riding.

But I was not prepared for the comments on the post by Tourism Thailand of someone riding an elephant..

• mrsprincekyuIf they had bullhooks, which I suspect they did looking at that elephant's head then I would not call that a "respected environment".
• mrsprincekyu@csanchiz yup just a quick Google search of this "camp" pulls up pictures of the Mahouts with bull hooks and tugging the elephants around by their ears. This is not a respectful place for the elephant and I don't know how you could call the responsible tourism when there are other sanctuaries nearby where the elephants are not treated like this.
• 
  

  

  A wedding that I was involved...

Next time have a look at the elephant carefully - this includes me as well.

The I read an article about how many of these elephants kill people...

Beach tips in the Rainy Season

Not a lot more to add but I would add a few things

 Trick 1) Never believe a weather forecast.

 Trick 3) Not sure about a hair dryer and finding a plug.

 Trick 5) Check your vehicle even if it isn't Rainy Season.

 Trick 6) That's a lot and when it is dry?

Cotton trees in Thailand

Cotton trees are something which I have only seen when we drove off Phuket Island 

to Loyung Temple on the way to Phang Nga.

So what is a cotton tree? Well looking on the Internet I found very little because I kept reading about the red cotton tree - Bombay Ceiba but I did find something about the cotton tree in South East Aisa.

This was on the side of the road - Jemma had fun with the cotton.

Chuen bought something else but when I was writing this I have forgotten what it was! 

I have no idea what was being made on the floor in front - all I can think of is cigarette paper?

I enjoy living here...