Phuket

Hello,

Ok, I might have to eat my hat - except it's got flag badges on it that it took me forever to sew on, so maybe I won't.

Phuket is actually really nice. The main town is fine, quite pretty in places and not very touristy. Patong Beach is a hole and where all the sleezy and rich people go (not nescessarily to the same places!). Full of girlie bars or posh resorts that you don't leave.

Karon Beach where I went to yesterday is more of a family place. The beach is stunning and the sea beautiful. Incredibly expensive. Everything was double the price of normal! It's hard for me to tell if the area has been affected much by the tsunami. I don't think so. If there were wooden buildings on the beach, there aren't any more and it's an improvement. But, Phuket has so much money I think most structures were fairly solid to begin with.

Yesterday was a lovely day. Been a while since I've felt so relaxed. Just lying on the beach, catching some rays and then a little swimming. Lunch in a lovely Thai noodle place (local - don't think westerners go there much - not in Phuket anyway!). More beach and then back to the main town.

Amused myself by watching the Thai beach gigolos take women parasailing : ) The area feels so non-Thai, more like a European beach resort with a "thai" flavour that I sunbathed topless. First time in over a year! Always liked doing that. It's a big no no in NZ.

On the plane over, there were some people who'd never been on a plane before. They were so excited! It was lovely. They were Malay. With Air Asia setting up and more airlines to come, Asians will start travelling more around Asia on holiday which is wicked. How fast resorts will start to catch onto this and cater for them is another question. Because these are people who probably wouldn't feel so comfortable staying at a place full of Westerners but want more than just the cheapest local accomodation.

Anyway, it gives me a buzz to see them.

Off to Khao Lak today for my liveaboard that starts tomorrow. I think communication lines aren't fully restored so might not be on internet for a week. Oh, a week! How long is that!! Not : )

I always like coming back to Thailand. I said this the last time. I never realise how much I enjoy it until I've arrived and it just feels like such a relief. Plus the food is excellant!! I've been eating far too much since I got here and have found some wonderful little bakerys that I just have to restrain myself. I have dreams about pate, wine, cheese, french bread, olives. Oh, am I looking forward to Europe!

last night I dreamt I was in jail. Rather an odd sensation probably brought on by the fact that my room was like a cell. Complete with bars on the windows! Anyway, I seemed quite content in the jail because I knew I was innocent and my friends would have me free soon. Although my sentance was 100 years. In the end we all escaped, but it was a bit haphazard.

Anyway, enough of my dreams!

Take it easy
kx