Visit to neighbouring Phi Phi Islands

Nov 17 Phi Phi Islands

What an awesome day! We along with 28 others boarded a high speed boat to explore four islands near Phuket. Some of these island locations a backdrop for some movies - most noteworthy being James Bond and Jurassic Park. And tourism is keeping many islands afloat (excuse the pun). What was interesting and surprising is that many of these islands have resident cats, which explains why rodents are never seen. The cats kept Julie interested, since she was not swimming nor snorkelling. And what beautiful beaches and sheer cliffs. On one island Red Bull hosts an annual cliff diving competition.

However there is an evident downside to this beauty - many of these islands are heavily visited by tourists. Each day many large high speed boats appear, which is eroding the environment. On one island farming was abandoned, supposedly due to global warming changing growing conditions, but I suspect there's greater value in attracting tourists.

Restaurant supplies being delivered

Monkeys came close to the boat looking for food. 

One monkey jumped onboard.

The beaches were awesome!

Phuket Graceland by the Pool

Nov 16 by the Pool

Phuket Graceland is an excellent resort - great amenities and beautiful landscape. That is my observation. However Julie would say she enjoys the resort because of the friendly cats. There are about six cats that hang out near the restaurant, most are shy but Julie is able find the friendly ones.

View from the pool bar

The right climate to grow orchids 

Phuket on the Street

Nov 15 Phuket 

Sometimes I feel like I'm at the Richmond Nite Market. At about 5pm there is a transformation of the city. There are hundreds of food carts and venders appear on walkways and empty lots, and bars and restaurants are busy recruiting customers. In the evening sidewalks are crowded as people leaving the beach are now looking for food and/or entertainment. There is one interesting street food - ice cream being made fresh. Imaging a crepe grill, but instead of heat the grill is frozen. When ordering you identify the ingredients, which is added with the cream and pored on this frozen grill. The person then starts mixing and chopping the mixture, until ice cream is created. A very delicious creation. Another interesting observation is the hundreds of massage parlours, employing young beautiful girls, for about 300 Bahts/Hr(12CDN$)...no sex! There are some parlours that have tanks full of tiny fish. You dip your feet in the tank and let the fish eat away at your dead skin. 

There are many other interesting sites, but the one obvious observation is the sheer volume of tourists. Phuket is not the place to come if you are looking for peace and tranquility.

Ice cream man.

Phuket at the beach

Patong Beach

This was our first time in Phuket, and it was just as described in the guide books. Hundreds of small stores selling anything you need, many restaurants trying to get your business and an equal amount of foodie trucks with a variety of choices. Calling them "trucks" is an exaggeration. Most are motorcycles with food production on a side-car. 

Patong is Phuket's main beach and what beautiful water.

Nov 14 Phuket

Nov 14 Phuket

Phuket Graceland Resort is an oasis, with lush vegetation and pools throughout the resort, with a beautiful and spacious room. The breakfast was awesome, with lots of fresh fruit.  We had expected rain, but it was all sunshine and what a beautiful beach - clear and warm waters. 

Hotel lobby

Outside our room

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej died

The whole country is in mourning

The pool area

Thailand Adventure-Starting Out

Thailand Adventure 

Nov 12-13 Travel Day

Getting to Phuket was a long and painful process - 20 hours of travel from YVR. Stopped in Beijing for 4 hours, it was a foggy and dreary day, and the airport AC must have been on high, and most locals were wearing thick coats. Finally arrived in Phuket at about 1am (Nov 14) and what a contrast in temperature- 26 degrees! I'm sure tomorrow I'll be complaining about the heat!