#72968 - 06/26/08 08:20 AM
Not Back Report - The last 10 days
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CathyP
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Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 640
Loc: Australia
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Ok get yourselves a drink, I promise its the last one for a little while!
Months ago we planned to go up to Koh Kho Khao Island which is about 30 mins drive north of Khao Lak in Phang-nga province, we knew it would be pretty quiet but that is what we wanted, a beach front bungalow, a few books and not many people. The hotel we wanted to stay at is called Amandara Island resort and it looked beautiful on the website, tropical lush gardens, and bungalows on beautiful pristine white sand beachfront. So off we go.
It’s a good drive to Khao Lak, the roads are great and well signposted, don’t believe everyone who tells you never to drive here, try it and decide yourself.
Anyway of course we took the wrong turn off the main road to where the ferry leaves but did not realize as it was still a good road for awhile. Then things started to change, vegetation was starting to creep across the road, trees were getting closer to the car, the white line down the middle of the 2 lanes was still there but where were the lanes, there was just enough room for us, the jungle was swallowing the road up.
We had passed no one, there were no houses, no signs of life then it finished, nothing, there was no road, just a dirt track, we were on the road to nowhere!.
Of course it was my fault as I had told Gary to turn left there ha-ha, so after a while of reversing so we could turn around it was back to the highway. Guess what – the next road after was the one we wanted, wow there was even water and boats at the end of it. Well my explanation is this is what makes getting out and about so much fun, it’s the unexpected!
On to the ferry we go, pay our 200baht and a few minutes later we are on Koh Kho Khao Island and eagerly on our way to the resort. (Its not until we leave KKK that Gary told me his first impressions of the island, more on that later).
We head to reception and ask to see a deluxe bungalow (we wanted absolute beach frontage – like on the website ha-ha) Walking through the open air restaurant I noticed how deserted and unused the place looked. Even the grounds were dry and dusty, it would not have surprised me if a few tumble weeds had rolled past or a cowboy jumped out!!. Things are not looking good!
Well the bungalow was beautiful, just like the pictures – but smack bang in front of it, blocking off the beach was a wall at least 8 feet high of canvas. It blocked off every bit of beach view and went past all the bungalows.
That’s it; we are not staying here so off we go to check out some more hotels. Now KKK Island does not have a lot of hotels and after checking 4 of them we had had enough. They were either closed or undergoing massive renovations. It was stinking hot, we were sick of getting in and out of the car and getting nowhere so decided to go back to the pier, have a cold drink and decide what to do.
Guess what, absolutely nothing open down there, couldn’t even buy a drink, but like everywhere we have been in Thailand never fear, there’s always an ice-cream man and there he was, 10baht later with ice creams melting everywhere we were back on the ferry.
An executive decision was make that we would head back to Khao Lak, have lunch (and a COLD DRINK) and decide whether to stay there a few days or keep driving and go to Krabi.
We had a late lunch at the Fisherman’s Bar/Restaurant in Khao Lak, the food here is delicious, it’s only a tiny place and very cheap, our meal (we had the same there last year) was delicious prawns wrapped in crisply noodles then deep fried and shrimp cakes. I didn’t take photos as there are already some under last years Eating Out photos, but did take a photo of their new toilet sign, very strange, will leave photo link at the end of this report.
It was also here that Gary mentioned his first impressions of the island were of one big construction site, but he didn’t want to say anything as he knew how much I wanted to stay there.
So now we are going to drive through to Krabi, I will post that report in the Krabi section. We ended up staying there for 4 nights and will be going back there in a couple of weeks.
The day after we came back from Krabi we called into Nicky’s Handlebar and the manager Kai said that they would be closed on Saturday as they were having an overnight private (staff only) bike ride to Krabi and that Nicky had invited us along. We felt very privileged to be asked along but said no as we had just come back and wanted to do absolutely nothing.
Funny story – while we were there we were talking to a very young guy from London on his first trip to Phuket. When he found out we had a car here he asked us had we seen any tigers roaming the island. Apparently his friend in UK who has been to Phuket told him there are wild tigers here. Well we said to him we think your friend is pulling your leg, he then asked us “are you sure”. Poor guy had been a bit nervous riding his bike out of the main areas as he really believed there were tigers out there!!
Haven’t really done that much this last week, just a few drives into Phuket Town, some shopping at Tesco Lotus, bought some dodgy runners here for 150baht to wear on the atv tour, every year we buy the cheapest ugliest ones we can find then leave them behind. Sadly this year, they are not quite as ugly as previous ones we have bought!
If you’re interested in some brand name clothes Central Department store at Central Festival has a massive sale in FCUK clothing, lots of things at 50% off. All the clothes are outside the store on the 2nd floor. Also big discounts at Armani Exchange. Plus there is a nice Espirit and Guess store here.
Went out to Kok Chang for a few drinks one arvo, the new bar is great, a lovely cool place to sit and relax for awhile. Charley made an appearance and was having a good old time teasing the dog there. Will be going back again soon with the family as no doubt they will want elephant rides etc lol. Had a late lunch at the Small View Point restaurant. It is the first time we have had a meal there and the food is pretty good and of course in a perfect setting.
Yesterday we had dinner with Ted at Sum (or Som) Restaurant on Bang Tao Beach, what a lovely guy and it was perfect sitting there watching a storm come in from the ocean, the sky was black and the winds really picked up, it was just perfect. Though we had to do a lap of the beach to get back to the car, so it was a bit wet and poured driving back to the hotel. One thing I hate is driving over the hills when its bucketing down.
As you know the apartment we are in has a very uncomfortable lounge in it, its rock hard and feels like your sitting on cement. Today I decided that’s it, we have to do something about it as its starting to be very painful. I thought maybe a couple of big cushions might fix the problem so off to Carrefour we went. (Gary wanted to drive but I thought we should do a good walk).
Well I found some big European cushions, bargain at only 159baht but they were probably only this price as no one else would buy them! They have a huge picture of Fred & Barney (Flintstones) in their car on them. Who cares, they are only to sit on.
So with us both carrying one each we make a pit stop at the Irish Pub in Jungceylon, while Gary is inside ordering, I’m sitting outside the pub with Fred & Barney (you have to picture this as they stood out a mile) a Thai woman comes out of the pub, looks at them and starts laughing then tells someone inside something. Next thing they all come out looking at my pillows and laughing and talking among themselves. (Probably saying cheap tourists, buy 159baht pillows to take home!!)
We then walked down Bangla Rd to the Islander Bar for another drink, same thing there, what is it about these pillows lol. Then onto the Sailor Bar (the drink stops have been Ice Tea so far) that’s it I need a Bacardi, so I get Fred and Barney settled and try explaining to the girls there why we have them. I’m sure they don’t believe me. Then its onto Dolphin Massage for a much earned foot massage, well they loved our pillows, so much so that they want them when we leave lol.
Of course as soon as we leave Dolphin it starts to pour with rain. Oh no I don’t want Fred and Barney getting wet so into Nong James restaurant we go for another drink. By the way this is a fantastic place to eat; we have been going there for 4 years now. So that’s the story on Fred & Barney. Yes now the lounge is more bearable to sit on, though Gary doesn’t like it as now it’s too soft. Oh well, you can’t please everyone.
That’s it for now folks, the next installment will be in a couple of weeks, should be lots of adventures with the family who arrive Saturday morning.
Not seen much sun the last 3 days, raining most of the time, even felt a bit cold this arvo lol, had to put a tshirt on instead of a singlet top.
Aussie dollar today 31.57
Here is the photo link and of course Fred & Barney are there plus a few more added to the folders!
http://picasaweb.google.com/CathyandGary
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#72979 - 06/26/08 10:50 PM
Re: Not Back Report - The last 10 days
[Re: CathyP]
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shwaygwailo
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Registered: 12/03/05
Posts: 254
Loc: OZ
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Okay Cathy, let me get this straight, after you came to the end of the road you wound up on the island of the KKK (no pictures of men in white pointy hats though.)
Didn’t like it so went on a pub crawl with Fred and Barney, but that’s okay because Fred is driving.
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ON WOMAN?
Gary, hide this so called “iced tea” immediately or you’ll need to sleep with the lights on. Oh and lock the kitchen draw, I know I would.
See you soon.
shway
_________________________
"I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself"
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#72980 - 06/27/08 12:13 AM
Re: Not Back Report - The last 10 days
[Re: shwaygwailo]
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CathyP
Member
Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 640
Loc: Australia
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Tooo funny Shway, I have absolutely no answer to that reply, but Gary thought it was good and said he understands where your coming from!!
Cathy
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#72989 - 06/27/08 07:22 AM
Re: Not Back Report - The last 10 days
[Re: CathyP]
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Adey68
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Registered: 02/05/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Queensland Australia
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Hmmm think the whole Fred and Barney thing was just an excuse for a pub crawl! Likely story all the rain and all. Sounds like an eventful trip. Looked at the pics and the emerald pools look awesome.Thanks for the report.
Adrian
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