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!

Albufeira

Oct 10-17 Albufeira 

It is a very popular destination for many Brits, French and Germans, and no surprise. We loved this town when we first visited the Algarve in 90s and we're still in love with the location. And it's no surprise, many tourists enjoying the beaches and walks to nearby towns. And we lucked out on our accommodation, overlooking the ocean and beach. Away from centre of town, where British breakfasts are served all day. It's a bit tacky, with the many venders and restaurants, but easy to stay away from the touristy area.  Our apartment is located close to a cat reserve where vets are spaying and taking care of them. No surprise, Julie goes every day to visit her little furry friends.

View from our apartment 

Our cat friends...these two are always together 

A morning view from our apartment 

A view to our apartment 

This cat has good taste where he relaxes

More cat lovers

Tavira

Oct 7-9 Tavira

What a great little town and it appears many others have discovered the beauty of the town and its surroundings. I would describe Tavira as quaint - having old-fashion beauty and charm. It's main industry used to be the extraction of sea salt, and there are still a few fields operational. However, now tourism is the number one industry, with many cafes and restaurants and accommodations, including the growth of vacation apartments. And the beaches are easy to access with regular ferry services.  

View of Tavira

Salt piles

Salt fields

We took a trip to a nearby town, Santa Luzia and the beach. The walk took about 1.5 hours but worth the trip. We had a picnic lunch and I afterwards had a little snooze and Julie decided to take a walk along the beach. Much to her surprise she came up the nudist section. She turned around quickly and headed back. She said it was not a pretty sight.

Train 1km ride to/from the beach

Our trip back Julie spotted a very friendly cat at the kiosk

Another cat spotted at the police station