SA Footy

Sorry about the delay for those who were waiting for this, just been too lazy to upload photos, etc.

First of all, we stayed at the Indigo Pearl on Nai Yang beach which is near the airport (can't hear planes though), 5 min drive from airport, 45 min drive to Patong.
I'd definately stay in this area again, the plusses were beaches that weren't crowded, a choice of about a dozen restaurants on the beach (you actually sit on the beach) and a great spot to do all your daily tours as we had a private car instead of a crowded mini bus take us to all tours from here as most people are down south. Also right near a water park (Splash Jungle) which we had an absolute ball at and 7 hours went very quick there. We didn't think the place was open when we rocked up it was that quiet, but it was and it didn't get close to crowded all day long. Not as big as Wet and Wild but you dont have to line up for any rides!

Here's some pics from our hotel and Nai Yang:

Lobby of the Indigo Pearl:



The bar which my son loved, my daughter didn't complain as it had free internet too:



The view from our private balcony:



2 shots of the main pool, we could only go to this one as the other 2 were for people 16 and over and we had 2 kids with us, this was the best one though even if it didn't hav a bar inside it:





One of the restaurants on the beach:

Next our trip to Phi Phi, we did the exact same trip last time too and loved it both times, definately one I'd recommend, make sure you take a speedboat tour and not a ferry tour as its a fair hike from Phuket. I wouldn't want to stay at Phi Phi as most of the beaches get invaded from Phuket during the day, the only plus in staying there would be that you can get to places like Maiya Beach early or late before the crowds infest the place.
Its actually a shame they have to go to Maiya Beach (where The Beach was filmed) as this place is so crowded its the lowlight of the day trip, other places you visit are great though.

First 5 photos are places you visit before/after going to Maiya Beach, we had a great time snorkelling and jumping off and swimming around the boat in a nice cove not far from Maiya:













Maiya (The Beach):

Next day trip we did was to Phang Na Bay for some Sea Kayaking, we'd done this before so tried the starlight cruise this time, both trips were pretty good, I love Phang Na bay, beautiful area.

Heading into the caves which take you into the middle of the islands:





You see a bit of wildlife, we saw monkeys and a mud skipper, here's some shots from the canoe we got paddled around in:











A shot from the boat of some of Phang Na:



Some hawks that followed the boat (they fed them), this was pretty spectacular:



Some of the yummee meal they put on for us, if you like chicken and cashews, shaslicks, fried chicken or seafood, you're in for a treat!



On the starlight cruise you make these things which are offerings to mother nature, after making them with the locals and lighting them you set them free later on from your canoe at night (they do collect them again though and you can take them back to your hotel):



We had an amazing sunset that night which turned the sky several different colours:

For the last 4 days of our trip we moved down south to Karon Beach, just south of Patong (about a 10 min tuk tuk trip), we stayed at the Moevenpick Resort and I made the genius decision to ask if they had any private residences available when we got there, they did, the place we stayed in was a huge 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment and had an exclusive pool. Our balcony opened up over the road next to the beach. It was a great spot as we had bars and a huge market nearby, I probably wouldn't stay there again though except for the convenience of the shopping (which is why we stayed there), resort was "too" big and I much prefer Nai Yang Beach and Kata Beach where I've stayed before.

The lobby of the Moevenpick:



A part of our apartment:



2 of the 4 pools we had access too (2 of them went down to 2.6m!):





A pic taken from the water towards our residence:



We had some amazing views of sunsets from our balcony:

For some different as we had some days to spare (we went for 11, its the 2nd time we've done that), we thought we'd try a trip to Krabi, Krabi is actually the mainland and you travel through Phang Na bay to get there, we really liked a beach called something like Railley's beach but I wouldn't stay at Krabi, similar to Phi Phi its invaded for most of the day, most beaches on Phuket are more relaxing. Wasn't the best swimming in the direct vicinity of Krabi too, good if you took a boat out to Railley's though. I probably wouldn't bother with this trip again.

Some shots of Railley's Beach:













Krabi:

Not much more to report, only other big trip we did was into Phang Na province to White Water Raft, visit Monkey Cave, Elephant trek and go on ATVs, we actually didn't enjoy it as much this time as last time, probably because our guides in the white water rafting this time were intent on hitting rocks and going backwards at every possible opportunity, our daughter even fell out but was unhurt and picked up by a raft behind us. Some random pics of a baby elephant show we saw:

I've skimmed over some things there obviously but if anyone has some questions about Phuket and its surroundings feel free to ask, spent a total of 22 days there now so have a pretty good feel for the place.

As far as the weather goes it was max 32 min 28 every day we were there, it was perfect and in January its not humid. Previously we'd gone in April and its stinking hot and humid then and we rains quite a bit, we only saw 2 showers for the entire 11 days we were there in January. Only problem is although January is the best time to visit its also the dearest.

Hey Wedgie,
Looks like u had a great time away. Cheers for posting the photos.

Yeah, great photo's Wedgie!

Great pictures Wedgie

Love the one with the fish in the clear blue water.
The water/sea in all the pics look awesome
Elephant standing on (someone) with one foot - hmm not too sure about this - wouldn't do that myself !!

of to phuket in a week staying at the movenpick plung pool room
hope they are good

Blacky wrote:of to phuket in a week staying at the movenpick plung pool room
hope they are good

It's a big big place mate, see if you can upgrade to the "residence" area as those rooms are unbelievable if you can for a decent price.
You'll have a pretty big market a quick walk of you south on the beach road and heaps of places to eat/drink just north.
Moevenpick has awesome waffle for brekky!
I'm sure you'll have fun!

Some great photos there wedgie, in particular the shots of the cove heading to maiya beach. Ive never seen water that blue!

A Mum wrote:Great pictures Wedgie

Love the one with the fish in the clear blue water.
The water/sea in all the pics look awesome
Elephant standing on (someone) with one foot - hmm not too sure about this - wouldn't do that myself !!

The locals call it a Banana Massage

Drop Bear wrote:

A Mum wrote:Great pictures Wedgie

Love the one with the fish in the clear blue water.
The water/sea in all the pics look awesome
Elephant standing on (someone) with one foot - hmm not too sure about this - wouldn't do that myself !!

The locals call it a Banana Massage

That is funny !

My wife and I went to Phuket on our honeymoon in Feb, looking at those photos I thought I was looking at photos I took. We did the phi phi island tour and the sea caves canoe tour. We stayed in patong, bangala road was an experience at night.
Did you go to the big budda, it's huge

just back from phuket was a great holiday
i got the same pics
sea kyaks was the highlight for me great day